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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

The Committee recommended the submission to Congress of a proposed Joint Resolution as suggested by Vice President Humphrey, to express the approval of the Congress of the establishment under the Smithsonian Institution of an International Center fo[r] Advanced Study. 

The Secretary reported that the Smithsonian had received a grant of $375,000 from the Ford Foundation to finance the purchase of land for research in field biology at Ivy Neck, on the shore of Chesapeake Bay adjacent to Java Farm (bequeathed to the Smithsonian in 1962).

The Bicentennial Celebration was most successful, the Secretary reported. The President's speech heralded a new era in international education. The participation of scientists and scholars from the nations of both the East and the West gave recognition to the truth that learning is not limited by geographical boundaries. The expenses of the Celebration were covered almost entirely by gifts to the Institution.

The Smithsonian is the residuary legatee under the will of Joseph White Sprague of Louisville, Kentucky, the Secretary reported.  Final settlement of this estate of approximately $2 million is imminent.  One-half of the income is directed to the added to the principal each year; the remaining half is to be expended to promote the advancement of the physical sciences.  Mr. Fleming advised that these funds will be added to the restricted funds and managed under the Consolidated Fund, as approved by the Regents on May 13, 1964.

Dr. Carl Drake of the Smithsonian Department of Entomology has left the Institution an estate estimated at $250,000 for entomological specimens.

The Secretary further reported that Maude C. Heys of Arlington, Virginia, recently left to the Smithsonian a house and land in Arlington, assessed for tax purposes at $157,000.

The Committee expressed its approval of the following matters:

-- establishment of Smithsonian councils to consist of members from the professions to consult with the professional staff of the Institutions;

-- a recommendation by Dr. Fred L. Whipple that Dr. Wernher von Braun be awarded the Langley medal of the Smithsonian;

-- the appointment already made by the President of Secretary Ripley as Chairman of the recently authorized Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities; and