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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION    1396

TELEVISION PROGRAM FOR THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 

The Secretary informed the Board that many hours of his time this past year had been spent in discussion of the possibility of organizing a television program for the Institution. This study included a consideration of making motion picture "Shorts." It seems clear that a national program, week after week, dealing with our great collections would be one effective way of promoting the injunction of our founder, James Smithsonian, that the Institution concern itself  with "the diffusion of knowledge among men." These negotiations have been conducted on the assumption that the Institution has no funds of its own for a television program and that the Institution would not approve any program which was not on a high plane and expertly produced.

Following discussion covering many details of this subject, on motion duly made, seconded and carried it was

VOTED that the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution approves in general, as a means of "diffusion of knowledge among men," the televising of programs based upon the collections and work of the Smithsonian Institution. It is further directed that the full board be asked to consider any arrangements made by the Executive Committee in connection with a television contract. It is understood that the Smithsonian Institution must be given credit in each program for its work, and that any profit or royalty to the Institution be clearly indicated as for use in research or other scientific endeavors of the Smithsonian Institution.

FUTURE PLANS FOR THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 

The Secretary used a map to illustrate sites being considered as locations for future Smithsonian Buildings, including additions to the Natural History Museum, a Museum of History and Technology, a National Air Museum, a Smithsonian Museum of Art, a Planetarium, a Smithsonian National Music Building, and at the National Zoological Park, an Administration Building, Animal Houses, and an Aquarium. 

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