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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION  1529

REPORT ON THE NATIONAL AIR MUSEUM

The Secretary stated that this building will be a major structure. Planning money in the amount of $1,820,000 was requested this year. The Bureau of the Budget did not approve this sum, stating informally that the Smithsonian Institution had a large construction program, for the next year, in the building of the Museum of History and Technology, the Natural History Building wing and reconstruction, and planning for the remodeling of the old Patent Office Building. Accordingly, it would not be possible to recommend planning funds for the National Air Museum to the Congress this year. The project had been carefully reviewed by the Bureau of the Budget, and will be reviewed next year. The Secretary gained the impression that the Bureau of the Budget was not in any way unfavorable to the project as such, and that next year it might well be considered favorably.

REPORT ON THE NATIONAL CULTURAL CENTER

A report from the office of the Honorable L. Corrin Strong, the Executive Vice Chairman of the National Cultural Center, was before each Regent. Senator Fulbright stated that the plans are generally approved and there is much interest in the National Cultural Center. He had suggested that assistance from the President's office would be needed to make clear the idea that it is a national project and not a local one. He stated that President-elect Kennedy seemed sympathetic to the project. He further noted that fund solicitation is a difficult job. The sum of $1,700,000, of the total of $75,000,000 necessary to realize the project, had been raised. Large foundations had not yet been formally approached.

PROPOSAL THAT THE SMITHSONIAN MAINTAIN A COLLECTION OF PAINTINGS