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Secretary has taken, it was recognized that its perception detracts from the Smithsonian's image in the Congress and puts it at a disadvantage in carrying out its legislative program.

The Secretary noted that he was within a few days of announcing a major appointment at the senior level which, as he noted in his Secretary's Report above, would be responsive to the primary recommendation of the House Committee on Government Operations. Mr. Anderson observed that the staff's reports have only inadequately described progress in affirmative action, concentrating on rather narrow slices of time. He suggested that a more comprehensive status report, showing results in key positions over the period of years since the Secretary's arrival, will be provided for the next Regent's meeting and will present a decidedly more positive picture.

[[underline]] ADDITIONAL STATUS REPORTS [[/underline]]

The Secretary drew attention to the following status reports and invited questions and comments from the Regents:

African American Presence Project
Major Construction and Renovation Activities
Litigation Report
Smithsonian Council Report
Refinements to the Planning and Budget Process
Selected Recent Media Developments

[[underline]] EXECUTIVE SESSION [[/underline]]

At the invitation of the Regents, the Secretary joined in an executive session of the Board's meeting. The purpose of the discussion centered around matters of organization and management.

[[underline]] REGENTS' DINNER [[/underline]]

The traditional Regents' Dinner was held on the preceding evening, January 28, 1990, in the Rotunda of the Arts and Industries Building. As the Regents and their guests were seated, the Chancellor welcomed everyone on behalf of the Board of Regents and introduced the Secretary. Mr. Adams expressed pleasure at the number of prospective members of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of the American Indian who were present. After noting that Senator Inouye, the scheduled keynote speaker for the evening, had become ill, Mr. Adams invited Mrs. Julie Kidd, the Chair of the Heye Foundation Board of Trustees, and Mr. Alan Parker, Staff Director of the Select Committee on Indian Affairs, to share their thoughts on the eve of the first meeting of the Trustees of the new National Museum.

[[underline]] NEXT MEETINGS [[/underline]]

Executive Committee Meeting -- Thursday, April 26, 1990, noon

Regents' Dinner -- Sunday, May 6, 1990, 6:00 p.m.

Board of Regents' Meeting -- Monday, May 7, 1990, 9:00 a.m.