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- v -

1. To authorize the minting of coins commemorating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Smithsonian Institution to be issued in 1996; and

2. To confer honorary American citizen ship upon James Smithson in recognition of his inestimable contributions to this nation and the world in the founding of the Smithsonian Institution.

Commemorative Coins: In December, 1994, the U.S. Mint's Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee strongly endorsed the Smithsonian's coin program and included it in its recommendations to Congress for 1996.  Although the legislation has not been acted upon by either chamber, more than 100 House cosponsors and 25 Senate cosponsors were obtained in the 103rd Congress for the respective bills.  The legislation would provide for the minting of two coins with surcharges to be remitted to the Smithsonian to assist with sesquicentennial activities and the general support to the Institution.  Additionally, 15 percent of the total funds remitted to the Institution would be designated to support the National Numismatic Collection at the National Museum of American History.

Smithson Honorary Citizenship: In recognition of his legacy to the American People, the Board is encouraged to seek honorary American citizenship for James Smithson.  This tribute has similarly been bestowed on such foreign nationals as Marquis de Lafayette and Sir Winston Churchill.  With the Board's approval, it is hoped legislation will be enacted by the Congress and signed into law by the President on August 10, 1996, the exact date of the Smithsonian's 150th anniversary.

PRELIMINARY REPORT ON LATINO MATTERS

After conducting extensive consultations, Counselor to the Secretary for Latino Affairs Dr. Miguel A. Bretos has begun to identify the means for addressing the concerns expressed in May of 1994 by the Latino Task Force.  To assist the Institution, an advisory board of distinguished academic and community leaders will be appointed.  In addition, Congress has allocated to the Smithsonian $1 million for fiscal year 1995 for a funding pool to support acquisitions, exhibitions, and educational programs that will permit the accomplishments of Latinos to be shared more widely with the public.  Other initiatives are aimed at increasing the Latino presence in the work force and gaining an accurate understanding of existing collections to determine the extent to which the Smithsonian should expand its Latino-related holdings.

150TH ANNIVERSARY CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

On December 9, 1994, the Smithsonian signed an agreement with Twenty-first Century Marketing Group, Inc. to execute the Corporate Partnership Program in conjunction with the Institution's 150th Anniversary.  The Corporate Partnership Program is a vehicle designed to bring to the Institution corporate funds that will be used for promotional and public relations activities associated with the Anniversary.  It will provide the Institution with the opportunity to: attract more visitors; secure more members, donors and customers; and increase the level of awareness, particularly outside the Beltway, about the Smithsonian, its value to the country, and the nature of its public/private partnership.