[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 26, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
    APPOINTMENT OF MANUEL LUIS IBANEZ TO THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 279) providing for the appointment of 
Manuel Luis Ibanez as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the 
Smithsonian Institution.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                             H.J. Res. 279

       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That, in 
     accordance with section 5581 of the Revised Statutes of the 
     United States (20 U.S.C. 43), the vacancy on the Board of 
     Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, in the class other 
     than Members of Congress, occurring by reason of the 
     resignation of Anne Legendre Armstrong of Texas, is filled by 
     the appointment of Manuel Luis Ibanez of Texas. The 
     appointment is for a term of 6 years and shall take effect on 
     the day after the effective date of the resignation of Anne 
     Legendre Armstrong.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas [Mr. Frost] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the gentleman 
from Nebraska [Mr. Barrett] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Frost].
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Joint Resolution 279.
  As our Nation's museum, the Smithsonian Institution is the world's 
largest museum complex with 20 major facilities, including the world 
famous Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, 
the National Museum of African Art, and the National Museum of American 
History.
  Congress has vested the responsibility to administer the Smithsonian 
in the Smithsonian Board of Regents, which is composed of the Chief 
Justice, the Vice President, three Members of the Senate, three Members 
of the House, and nine Citizen Regents. The Regents receive no salary 
for their services to the Board and are appointed to a term of 6 years.
  House Joint Resolution 279 provides for the appointment of Manuel 
Luis Ibanez to fill the vacancy of Anne Legendre Armstrong as a Citizen 
Regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.
  Mr. Ibanez is the president of Texas A&I University and a professor 
of microbiology. He has had a long and distinguished career in academia 
and he will be an asset to the Smithsonian Board of Regents.
  Mr. Ibanez has complied with all the guidelines set by the committee 
to receive its approval, and therefore, I urge my colleagues to support 
and adopt House Joint Resolution 279.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Joint Resolution 279, 
and endorse the appointment of Manuel Luis Ibanez to the Board of 
Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.
  Dr. Ibanez would bring to the Board of Regents an extensive academic 
background, as well as vital administrative experience, as president of 
Texas A&I University.
  His creativity in the development and establishment of numerous 
programs and degrees could prove to be very beneficial to the 
Smithsonian Institution.
  This accomplished scholar has actively participated in various 
professional societies, performed extensive academic and public 
service, and has personal and institutional experience involving 
grants, awards, and funding.
  Dr. Ibanez has a proven record in the area of fundraising. Most 
notably, he increased the endowment from $1\1/2\ to $5\1/2\ million, 
while president of Texas A&I University. Proficiency in this area is 
needed at an institution which so often relies on public donations.
  My visit with Dr. Ibanez yielded many positive thoughts. My 
impression of this gentleman was that he expressed great enthusiasm 
with regard to the museums.
  Dr. Ibanez previously mentioned to our subcommittee his idea of 
expanding the museums, through traveling exhibits that would tour some 
of the smaller towns and cities in the United States.
  As a member of a rural district primarily comprised of smaller towns, 
I recognize the importance of access of these cultural and historical 
exhibits, that the people of Washington and the other larger cities in 
the United States so readily enjoy.
  Dr. Ibanez also has an excellent understanding of the current fiscal 
situation facing the Smithsonian and expressed some excellent ideas in 
broadening the private contribution base.
  I believe he embodies a desire to keep the Smithsonian museums among 
the most highly respected in the world. I encourage my colleagues to 
support House Joint Resolution 279, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Montgomery). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Frost] that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution, House Joint Resolution 
279.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the joint resolution was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
House Joint Resolution 279, the joint resolution just passed.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate 
consideration of the Senate joint resolution (S.J. Res. 144) providing 
for the appointment of Manuel Luis Ibanez as a citizen regent of the 
Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate joint resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the Senate joint resolution, as follows:

                             S.J. Res. 144

       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That, in 
     accordance with section 5581 of the Revised Statutes of the 
     United States (20 U.S.C. 43), the vacancy on the Board of 
     Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, in the class other 
     than Members of Congress, occurring by reason of the 
     resignation of Anne Legendre Armstrong of Texas, is filled by 
     the appointment of Manuel Luis Ibanez of Texas. The 
     appointment is for a term of 6 years and shall take effect on 
     the day after the effective date of the resignation of Anne 
     Legendre Armstrong.

  The Senate joint resolution was ordered to be read a third time, was 
read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on 
the table.
  A similar House joint resolution (H.J.Res. 279) was laid on the 
table.

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