Viewing page 4 of 42

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

3

referred to the Smithsonian for its views. By mail ballot, the Regents differed, 5 for, 2 against, and 7 not voting.

It was recommended by the Executive Committee that the Board of Regents present its report to the Committee on Public Works in noncommittal terms, pointing out that the administration of the Kennedy Center is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees of the Center and deferring to that Board in this instance.

Mr. Bow voiced his support of the Kennedy Center, the proposed legislation, and the noncommittal letter. Senator Fulbright urged support of the legislation. Several of the Regents agreed that a survey of admission charges to similar centers and museums both here and abroad should be undertaken by the Secretary, independently of the pending legislation.

Senator Fulbright related that the original Cultural Center had been expected to be financed by private donations and that it was only after the assassination of President Kennedy that the legislation included Federal participation in the financing in recognition of the memorial character of the center.

The Regents voted that the letter as drafted be sent to the Committee on Public Works, to the effect that the administration of the Kennedy Center is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees of the Center and the Board of Regents defers to the Trustees in this matter.