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IMPACT OF 1991 TAX CODE AND POSITION ON ITS EXTENSION

The full impact on the Smithsonian of the 1990 amendment to the Internal Revenue Code removing charitable gifts of tangible personal property from the application of the alternative minimum tax will not be known until early 1992 after all 1991 gifts have been processed. However, early experience has been encouraging. Accordingly, the Secretary and his staff wished to thank Senator Moynihan for initiative in gaining enactment of the existing provision and in seeking an extension of it. Knowing of its importance to the Nation's museums, the Regents adopted the following motion:

VOTED that the Board of Regents expresses its appreciation to Senator Moynihan for his efforts to amend the Internal Revenue Code to benefit the Nation's museums and encourages the Congressional members of the Board to support legislation for the extension of such provisions.

APPOINTMENTS TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints David Hicks, Jean Lane and John C. Meeker to the National Council of the National Museum of Natural History for initial terms to be determined by lot in accordance with the Council's Bylaws.

PROPOSED JOSEPH HENRY MEDAL

The Regents voted to award the Joseph Henry Medal to a longtime member of one of the Smithsonian's advisory boards for his outstanding service and wise counsel.

SMITHSONIAN ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEW

Initial steps were taken last year to strengthen the management of the Institution by defining the roles of the Secretary and the Under Secretary, and by re-articulating the Offices of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and the Treasurer. Continuing with that initiative, the Secretary has asked the Under Secretary to conduct a critical examination of the Smithsonian's overall organization and functions and to make specific recommendations that will enhance its managerial effectiveness. All its organizational relationships, managerial practices, and programmatic activities fall within the scope of this review, including, where appropriate, the roles of the Secretary and the Under Secretary. Over the next several months, a comprehensive examination of the existing organization will include an analysis of prevailing patterns and prospective improvements in such areas as: the roles of all senior staff, including the Assistant Secretaries; relationships between the central administration, bureaus, and offices; delegations of authority; the locus, clarity, and consistency of decision making; and communications (horizontal as well as vertical). The objective is to work out an optimum balance between the central administration and the bureaus and offices, recognizing that continuing creativity and effectiveness of individual organizational units require a high level of autonomy. Yet, at