March 31, 2006 - Norton Opposes Admission Fees for Federally Supported Landmarks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2006

Norton Opposes Admission Fees for Federally Supported Landmarks but Seeks a Hearing and a Plan for Renovation of the Smithsonian

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said today that she would ask for a hearing by the Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, of which she is ranking member, concerning the urgent need to devise a plan for renovation of the Smithsonian museums, but that she strongly opposes the institution of a fee, breaking “an important, signature tradition since the capital was established.” Norton said she was “alarmed” by the state of the buildings and the absence of any plan for renovation and repairs, “driving these institutions into further deterioration.” However, she said, “the answer is certainly not to break the 160-year old tradition that allows average Americans and their families to visit these federally supported institutions free of charge. Half of the visitors to the capital are school children. Free access is the pride of the nation’s capital, and the constituents of House and Senate members have come to depend on it. Far fewer would come if we imposed charges on any of the sites that bring them to the city. Once there is an admission charge for any of these institutions there must be an admission charge for all. That would be the beginning of the end for free and open access for federally supported art institutions and museums in the capital.”

However, Norton said that the idea floated by her good friend Representative Jim Moran at an appropriations subcommittee hearing this week served the important purpose of bringing this issue front and center. The issue comes up only at appropriation meetings, she said, with no legislation or plan on the table. “There is understandable frustration that something must be done,” Norton said, “and it will be necessary to find creative ways to meet the needs before it gets out of hand.”