Norton Hearing Friday on the Smithsonian and JFK Center Seeks to Quell Controversy (6/14/07)

Washington, DC- In the wake of reports of questionable spending and management practices at the Smithsonian Institution and questionable regents' oversight, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) tomorrow, Friday, June 15, will chair a hearing on the Smithsonian and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to take a fresh look at the physical facilities, board structure and public and private funding of both "national treasures." The hearing before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management will take place at 10 AM in Room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Michael Kaiser, President of the Kennedy Center, and Christian Samper, Acting Secretary of the Smithsonian will testify at tomorrow's hearing.

Both the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center receive significant federal funding while also relying on private funding. With some of the jurisdiction of these institutions falling under her subcommittee, the Norton panel will engage in congressional oversight that has been lacking for years. Among other things, she wants to investigate congressional neglect of the physical facilities, and to compare the fundraising and the composition of the two boards. The Congresswoman wants to make sure both tourist attractions remain financially viable and able to meet their public responsibilities. Norton pays special attention to historic sites and to the Mall in her role as the congresswoman who represents the nation's capital and because of her work on D.C.'s tourist economy.

In March, The Washington Post reported allegations of questionable actions by former Smithsonian secretary Lawrence Small and scant oversight by the Smithsonian Board of Regents, including excessive use of artifacts for personal use by the secretary and approval of several expenses without sufficient justification.

Norton also was surprised and astonished to learn that the Smithsonian wants to charge visitors to see part of a new permanent exhibition called "Butterflies and Plants: Partners in Evolution" later this year. While admission fees were charged for two temporary exhibits in the 90's, this is the first time a charge is proposed for a permanent exhibit. Norton said that Congress is to blame for "chronic under-funding of the Institution and for the resulting deterioration, but that opening the gates to fees would bring "the whole house of cards of free admission to federal historic sites tumbling down, as other federal historic sites inevitably would seek the same treatment." The hearing will begin looking at the practical alternatives and what is necessary from public and private sources to maintain "the important tradition that any man, woman or child, poor or rich, can visit this nation's historic places and monuments without paying an admission charge," Norton said.