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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION    1404

As Chairman of the Executive Committee, I have been in regular contact with the Secretary as required by the current business of the Institution. The Executive Committee held one formal meeting on December 6, 1954.

At this meeting a number of urgent matters were considered. The history and present status of building plans for the Institution were reviewed. Special consideration was given to the site for the proposed National Air Museum in relation to the current consideration of the development of Southwest Washington. The effect on the Nation-Zoological Park of a proposed new roadway in Rock Creek Park was discussed.

Public Law 598, the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Act, was considered and it was voted to recommend favorably the following motion to the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution:

RESOLVED: That the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution does hereby consent to the officers and members of the Smithsonian Institution paid from trust funds accepting the benefits and privileges of the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Act, as well as assuming the obligations and duties legally applicable to them under that system as presently constituted: Provided, further,

That the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution does not consent to the application of the Federal Civil Service Laws, nor the Federal Classification Act of 1923, as amended, to such officers and members paid from trust funds, nor to the application of any other law which would in any way contravene the Act of Establishment of the Smithsonian Institution approved on August 10, 1846, with amendments thereto.

In taking this action the Committee noted that the language listing those eligible to participate in the Insurance Act is the same as that of the Civil Service Retirement Act.

Public Law 767, 83d Congress, an act providing unemployment compensation for Federal employees, was considered and the Executive Committee determined that it would not recommend to the Board the inclusion of Trust Fund Employees of the Smithsonian Institution under the provisions of this act. This follows the plan recommended for the National Gallery of Art by its counsel. This action was taken for the following reasons:

1. The language specifying those eligible for inclusion under this act differs from the language in the Civil Service Retirement Act (22 Stat. 403; 5 U.S.C. 632 et seq) and in the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Act (P.L. 598, 83d Congress).

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