Viewing page 66 of 119

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

-49-

[[underlined]] Proposed Changes to Title 5, United States Code [[/underlined]]

Section 5315 of Title 5, United States Code, provides for an "Assistant Secretary for Science, Smithsonian Institution" and an "Assistant Secretary for History and Art, Smithsonian Institution" at Executive Level IV. Section 5316 of the same title provides for a "Director, United States National Museum, Smithsonian Institution" and a "Director, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Smithsonian Institution" at Executive Level V.

As a result of changes in the organization and staffing of the Institution, only the last of these describes a currently occupied position and a Smithsonian activity. The other three positions are unfilled because the functions designated in the titles no longer exist.

Two current members of the Secretary's Management Committee are designated as Assistant Secretaries, but are compensated as GS-18s because the activities for which they are responsible (Administration and Public Service) are not those described in the sections herein referenced. The United States National Museum associated with the Executive Level V position today consists of many museums within the Smithsonian. The three largest - American History, Natural History, and Air and Space - as well as American Art and African Art all carry "National Museum" in their official titles.

To provide management flexibility, as well as equity, particularly if legislative and executive pay levels are increased, it is proposed that the authorities for the Executive Level IV Assistant Secretary positions be amended to eliminate the specific designations and that the Executive Level V museum director position be amended so that as future needs arise it will be available for the head of any of the designated national museums.

A draft bill to implement this proposal is offered for consideration, and the following motion is suggested:

VOTED that the Board of Regents requests its Congressional members to introduce and support legislation to amend Sections 5315 and 5316 of Title  5, United States Code.