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undertake a feasibility study of such an extension. Approval by the Senate Appropriations subcommittee chairman is currently being sought. The study would develop requirements of the program and of a site, refine to the degree possible construction cost estimates, and comment on sources of funds for construction and for project operating costs. The information derived from the study would form the basis for determining appropriate sources of funding, legislative initiatives if necessary, and securing a suitable site. A related report is included below in the agenda.

[[underlined]] Amendment to Inspector General Legislation [[/underlined]]

On October 23 the Secretary wrote to Senator John Glenn, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, to express the concerns of the Institution with respect to S. 908, a bill to amend the Inspector General Act of 1978. A copy of the Secretary's letter, with its attachments (except for a current copy of the Annual Report), is appended hereto.

In December Smithsonian staff representatives met with staff of the Committee who acknowledged that the Smithsonian is in compliance with the primary objectives of the measure: the establishment of an independent audit unit with no program responsibilities, the director of which is appointed by and reports directly to the agency head. The Committee staff did not find such compliance, as well as the fact that the Regents play an active role in the resolution of audit matters, sufficient reason to exclude the Smithsonian from the measure which otherwise abrogates authority of the Board of Regents over activities of the Institution by requiring submission to the Congress of a list of internal audit reports and making those reports available to the public on request.

Information is being prepared for the Senate Regents which may be helpful in resolving this issue at the time of Floor action on the bill. Depending on developments in the Senate, it may be necessary to pursue the matter when the bill reaches the House.

[[underlined]] National Museum of African Art Property [[/underlined]]

Louis Stokes (D-Ohio) wrote to the Secretary on the 10th of December, advising that he was planning to propose legislation requiring the Smithsonian to retain the Museum of African Art property on A Street, N.E., and to establish there a museum of Afro-American art.

The Secretary responded by pointing out that the Smithsonian has entered into a binding contract for the sale of the property which has only the most tangential association with Frederick Douglass to whom, nonetheless, our purchaser has agreed to maintain a memorial at the site. The Secretary also described the efforts under way throughout the Institution to illustrate and commemorate many aspects of Black history, culture, and contributions, and the efforts of the Cultural Education Committee which is chaired by Jeannine Smith Clark. The Secretary is attempting to see Congressman Stokes and to explore alternative ways of meeting his goals.

[[underlined]] Museum of the American Indian [[/underlined]]

Please see the item below for a complete report of developments in this matter and a review of key issues.