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is anticipated selections will take place during the summer, with a report to the Board at its September meeting.  All new contracts would commence October 1, 1986.

The Institution has contracted with the firm of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK) to complete its architectural specifications for the new restaurant on the east terrace of the National Air and Space Museum, utilizing the basic design approved several years ago by the Fine Arts Commission.  It is anticipated that the Institution will be in position to solicit construction bids in June and to consider funding alternatives for presentation to the Board in September.

[[underlined]]Legislation[[/underlined]]

COOPER-HEWITT CONSTRUCTION

On November 12 the Senate approved S. 583 which would authorize planning and construction of facilities for the Cooper-Hewitt.  As a companion measure was defeated in the House on November 19, and in order to maintain fund raising momentum, the Secretary suggested to the Regents that a second attempt be made in the House to pass a measure like that approved by the Senate.  Accordingly, the following motion was adopted:

VOTED that the Board of Regents reaffirms its commitment to the improvement and expansion of facilities of the Cooper-Hewitt Museum and urges its Congressional members to continue supporting legislation authorizing an appropriation for one half of the construction costs as soon as practicable.

NATIONAL ARMED FORCES MUSEUM ADVISORY BOARD

P.L. 87-186, enacted August 30, 1961, established the National Armed Forced Museum Advisory Board in the Smithsonian Institution to "provide advice and assistance to the Regents ... on matters concerned with the portrayal of the contributions which the Armed Forces of the United States have made to American society and culture." [Sec. 1(a)]  A primary function of the Advisory Board was to advise and assist the Regents "to investigate and survey lands and buildings in and near the District of Columbia suitable for the display of military collections." [Sec. 3(a)]  After extensive study, the Advisory Board concluded that no completely adequate site was available for the major new museum contemplated by the Act, and the Advisory Board's report was accepted by the Board of Regents and forwarded to the Congress in January 1975.  Inasmuch as there has been no further activity since that time, as a major new museum of military history in the Washington area is not feasible, as there are more than 300 museums in the United States collecting and exhibiting aspects of military history (including both the National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum), it was concluded that the Board established by P.L. 87-186 and the other authority it provides are not necessary.  Accordingly, it was