[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    NATIONAL AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I have been in the news business for much 
of my life, and I have written many editorials. I certainly know an ad 
homonym attack when I see one, but this morning's Washington Post 
editorial was laughable. I am trying to find at least one statement in 
it that is factual. But before I get to the specific errors in the 
editorial--and I bring it up so that Senators will not be misled about 
this issue--let me make a general statement with respect to the Simon 
amendment.
  With a $4.6 trillion Federal debt, Congress is now being asked by the 
Senator from Illinois to give an unlimited--I repeat, an unlimited--
authorization for an unlimited number of years for a new museum where 
the Smithsonian, by the way, does not have sufficient funds to maintain 
the exhibits it currently has.
  Now, Smithsonian has refused to provide us with any estimate as to 
how much this museum, its operations, its activities, and its staff 
will cost the American taxpayers. The Smithsonian refuses to tell us 
how many employees the museum will have, or what their salaries will 
be, and who will pay these salaries.
  Now back to the Washington Post editorial. It falsly portrays a 
provision added to the Simon bill by the Senator from West Virginia 
[Mr. Byrd]. The editorial reads: ``an amendment by Senator Robert Byrd 
makes clear that the new museum cannot ask for public money for at 
least 5 years.''
  That is ridiculous. The Simon amendment, Simon bill, makes no such 
stipulation. In fact, Mr. Byrd's amendment says the opposite. It 
provides that ``there are authorized to be appropriated such sums--of 
the taxpayers money--as may be necessary'' for operating and 
maintaining the museum. And that shows you the accuracy, or the 
inaccuracy, of the Washington Post.
  The Washington Post editorial then lamented that certain collections 
of African-American artifacts will, the editors contend, not be lost 
should the taxpayers not fund this proposed museum. But these 
collections can be received by other Smithsonian museums already in 
existence, including the Anacostia Museum of African-American History 
and Culture. The proposed museum duplicates, do you not see, other 
museums and other exhibits currently in the Smithsonian.
  By the way, Mr. President, the Post did not mention how this museum 
will utilize tax dollars to take exhibits on the road and to promote 
itself in the media and to provide training for African-American museum 
professionals. But the Smithsonian refuses to tell anybody how much 
this will cost.
  Then there is the certainty that once the Congress approves this 
museum and the President has signed the bill, which he surely will, we 
will be approached by other minority groups wanting museums for 
themselves, and we will be in a position where we cannot say no. So 
everybody will win except the taxpayers who will have to foot the bill 
for all of this.
  Now, getting back to the Post editorial. It attacks this Senator for 
what it calls ``dark hints'' that the Nation of Islam will also want a 
museum. I have flatout, never said or even hinted such a thing. It is 
not so and the editorial writer knew it when he wrote it. It is an ad 
homonym attack.
  I do question however whether Hispanics and other minorities will 
justifiably want museums, and I believe that to be true. In fact a 
Smithsonian report has already recommended a museum especially for 
Hispanic-Americans.
  Now, Mr. President, let me say again, once we approve this museum, 
open ended in terms of financing, we will be called upon by other 
minority groups--and they will be justified in doing so--to provide 
museums for their particular groups. We cannot say no to them, not 
justifiably. And I repeat that everybody is going to win on this 
proposition except the taxpayers and future generations who are already 
going to have to assume the burden of a Federal debt of more than $4.6 
trillion run up by this Congress after having done just such things as 
the Senator from Illinois has proposed.
  Mr. President, I will reserve further comments until the next time 
this amendment becomes the pending business in the Senate. And I wish 
to say that if the Senate goes ahead and considers this amendment, then 
I have at least 15 amendments that I am going to expect to be 
considered by the Senate and voted on.
  So I yield the floor, and I thank the Chair.
  Mr. SIMON addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.
  Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, I shall not take 10 minutes here. I would 
like to enter into the Record a letter sent by the Smithsonian to 
Senator Helms in response to 29 questions, I believe it is, that he 
had. But let me just point out in answer to the first question in 
response to what the Senator said,

     it would result in no increase to the institution's operating 
     budget.

  They underline that.

       Regardless, over the next 5 fiscal years, no additional 
     requests for Federal funds will be made to support the 
     establishment of the museum. Actual costs for the 
     establishment of the museum are not available until we can 
     proceed with detailed planning for the museum. However, as is 
     directed by the legislation, any and all funds used for the 
     establishment of the museum will derive from non-Federal 
     sources.

  We are talking about Smithsonian planning and going out and getting 
private funding to establish an African-American museum so that all of 
us can understand our heritage a little more, and that includes 
obviously African-Americans who can look at their heritage and have 
some pride in that heritage as well as the rest of us having some pride 
in that heritage.
  I ask unanimous consent to enter this in the Record.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                      Smithsonian Institution,

                                   Washington, DC, Sept. 29, 1994.
     Hon. Jesse Helms,
     Committee on Rules and Administration, U.S. Senate, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Helms: This is in response to your letter of 
     September 19, 1994, in which you requested additional 
     information regarding H.R. 877, the National African American 
     Museum Act, which is pending before the Senate. I am pleased 
     to provide the following responses to the 29 questions 
     enumerated in your letter.
       1. Question.--Please provide a copy of the proposed budget 
     for the National African American museum for each of the 
     first five years after enactment, including but not limited 
     to costs for its establishment, operation, maintenance and 
     activities. Please indicate the total estimated amount of 
     federal funds involved and funds expected to be contributed 
     by private sources.
       Answer.--The Smithsonian Institution presently has 
     approximately $475,000 in its base budget for general 
     planning money which has already been appropriated and will 
     be used for the initial planning stage for the museum. The 
     goal of this planning process would be to identify non-
     Federal sources of funds which can be raised to support the 
     programs of the museum. Additionally, some funds presently 
     expended by the Institution in support of African American 
     programming and collections could be shifted to support the 
     development of the museum, but would result in no increase to 
     the Institution's operating budget. Regardless, over the next 
     five fiscal years, no additional requests for Federal funds 
     will be made to support the establishment of the museum. 
     Actual costs for the establishment of the museum are not 
     available until we can proceed with detailed planning for the 
     museum. However, as is directed by the legislation, any and 
     all funds used for the establishment of the museum will 
     derive from non-federal sources.
       2. Question.--You have indicated that no federal funds 
     beyond the $475,000 for general planning money already set 
     aside by the Smithsonian will be used ``to support the 
     establishment of the museum.'' How much of this $475,000 is 
     federal funds?
       Answer.--Approximately $475,000 in base resources is 
     available in support of the museum project, $266,000 is 
     Federal funds.
       3. Question.--How much in federal funds do you project that 
     the museum will spend for each of the next five fiscal years 
     for all other aspects of the museum--e.g., its maintenance, 
     operation, programs and other costs.
       Answer.--It is the intention of the Smithsonian Institution 
     to develop a strategy which will rely on non-Federal sources 
     of funds to support the establishment of the museum. The 
     museum will use the $266,000 in Federal funds for other 
     aspects of the museum and make efficient use of centralized 
     Smithsonian services and staff with unique expertise.
       4. Question.--Vice President Gore in his ``Reinventing 
     Government'' report called for government agencies to 
     ``consolidate'', ``streamline'', and ``reduce number of 
     offices.'' Is the proposed creation of another Smithsonian 
     museum consistent with the Vice President's recommendation?
       Answer.--The loss of essential employees as a result of the 
     recent buy-outs has forced the Institution to consider a 
     variety of strategies geared towards consolidation and 
     streamlining. The National African American Museum could 
     enable us to achieve these goals.
       5. Question.--Please provide a complete listing of museums 
     currently associated with or proposed by the Smithsonian 
     which have ``unique'' funding relationships (e.g., private 
     funds donated for building of the particular museum, 
     artifacts donated to a particular museum with the expectation 
     of the Smithsonian establishing a museum, museums established 
     with private funds with the understanding that the 
     Smithsonian would provide maintenance and operation.)
       Answer.--The following museums are currently associated 
     with the Smithsonian Institution: Anacostia Museum, Archives 
     of American Art, Cooper-Hewitt Museum, Freer Museum, 
     Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Air and Space 
     Museum, National Museum of African Art, National Museum of 
     American Art, National Museum of the American Indian, 
     National Museum of American History, National Museum of 
     Natural History, the National Portrait Gallery, the Sackler 
     Gallery and the National Zoological Park. The National 
     African American Museum has been proposed and endorsed by the 
     Regents. All of our museums are funded by the public and by 
     private donors. They all acquire collections as gifts or 
     purchases.
       6. Question.--In the mission statement for the proposed 
     National African American museum, the Smithsonian states that 
     the museum will also ``disseminate information, encourage 
     scholarship and train African American museum 
     professionals.'' How much in federal funding do you estimate 
     will be spent annually on these programs?
       Answer.--The Smithsonian has a long history of training 
     museum professionals through its internship and fellowship 
     programs. African Americans seeking training will be 
     encouraged to apply to these existing programs.
       7. Question.--In the mission statement for the proposed 
     museum, the Smithsonian also states that the museum ``will 
     actively travel exhibitions and public programs.'' What is 
     your estimate of the amount to be spent annually for such 
     travel activities?
       Answer.--The Smithsonian has historically traveled 
     exhibitions through the Smithsonian Institution Traveling 
     Exhibition Service (SITES). SITES staff also assist museum 
     professionals in program planning. The museum will take 
     advantage of this resource. Funds for traveling exhibitions 
     are raised.
       The museum will also work with the Smithsonian Associates 
     program to take programs to other communities.
       8. Question.--Will the travel referred to in question 7 be 
     limited to the United States, or do you contemplate 
     international travel as well?
       Answer.--While the majority of the Museum's work will be in 
     the United States; libraries, archives, and museums 
     throughout the world have collections which relate to the 
     African American experience.
       9. Question.--In this same mission statement, the 
     Smithsonian proposes that the African American museum will 
     assume the ``responsibility'' to ``provide the scholarly 
     community and the general public physical and intellectual 
     access to the collections through exhibitions, media, 
     publications, programs, symposia, library, and archival 
     materials.'' What is your estimate of the annual cost to the 
     taxpayers of these activities?
       Answer.--The activities described are intrinsic to the 
     mission and goals of all museums. The scope of work is 
     determined by a museum's budget and staff size. Program 
     planning when authorized, will indicate the incremental 
     growth needed if the museum is to achieve these goals.
       10. Question.--In the mission statement, I note that 
     ``through an aggressive acquisitions program, based on 
     pledges already made, the collections will grow . . .'' 
     Please provide a list of all such pledges.
       Answer.--The museum has not acquired formal ``pledge'' 
     letters. We have engaged in a collections identification 
     effort and we have a potential donor list of approximately 
     3,000. Though some potential donors have requested 
     confidentiality, please find attached some letters of intent.
       11. Question.--Can the aforementioned pledged items be 
     acquired for other Smithsonian museums, including the 
     Anacostia Museum, the American History Museum and the African 
     Art Museum. Or have these pledges been made conditioned on 
     the creation of a separate National African American museum?
       Answer.--The staff of the National African American Museum 
     project have only approached potential donors who have 
     contacted our offices, or those who have been referred to us 
     by other collectors. Most are aware of other Smithsonian 
     Museums and indeed they are familiar with museums in their 
     regions, but they would like to place their collections in a 
     National African American Museum at the Smithsonian.
       12. Question.--Is it correct that in the mission statement, 
     the Smithsonian indicates that the African American museum 
     will be a place for assemblage of materials relating to 
     ``history and culture of African American.''
       Answer.--It is correct that the African American Museum 
     will be a place for assemblage of materials relating to 
     history and culture of African Americans.
       13. Question.--Is it correct that the Smithsonian 
     advertises the Anacostia museum as ``A Smithsonian Museum of 
     African American History and Culture?''
       Answer.--The Smithsonian describes the Anacostia Museum as 
     a ``Museum of African American History and Culture'' which 
     deals with the geographic area of Washington, D.C. and the 
     Upper South.
       14. Question.--If there already exists a Smithsonian 
     ``Museum of African American History and Culture,'' why is 
     another one needed.
       Answer.--The National African American Museum has a broader 
     mission. It will also work collaboratively with the Anacostia 
     Museum.
       15. Question.--A Smithsonian shuttle bus carries the sign, 
     ``Take a Journey into History: Free Shuttle Service to the 
     Anacostia Museum, A Smithsonian Museum of African American 
     History and Culture.'' How long has this shuttle service been 
     in operation?
       Answer.--For ten years, the Anacostia Museum requested 
     federal funds for the acquisition of a shuttle bus because 
     visitors to the Smithsonian museums on the Mall were having 
     difficulty getting to Anacostia. The shuttle service has been 
     in operation for 2\1/2\ years.
       16. Question.--Please supply a) the average number of 
     visitors using this shuttle service on any given day; b) the 
     average number of total visitors visiting the Anacostia 
     museum on any given day; c) the total number of visitors who 
     have used the shuttle service for each month the service has 
     been in operation.
       Answer.--The Anacostia Museum has broadened the use of the 
     bus in order to facilitate access to their site. It picks up 
     school groups, senior citizens and community groups who 
     cannot afford transportation. Mall use is most successful 
     during the Folklife Festival and well publicized Mall events. 
     In 1993, 47,542 visitors visited the Anacostia Museum. As of 
     the end of August 1994, 29,244 visitors visited the Anacostia 
     Museum.
       17. Question.--In response to question #5 in my letter of 
     June 8, 1994, you note that ``At present, 4 full-time 
     permanent Federal employees are involved in the African 
     American museum project. In addition, 4 temporary employees 
     are involved in planning activities.'' Regarding these 
     employees: a) how long have the full-time permanent Federal 
     employees been involved with the African American museum 
     project? b) how long have the temporary employees been 
     involved with the African American museum? c) what is the 
     total of federal funds spent on compensation for these 
     individuals? And, d) what is the total of privately-donated 
     funds, if any, used for this purpose?
       Answer.--a) The 4 current full-time permanent Federal 
     employees have been involved with the National African 
     American Museum project since March 1992, July 1992, January 
     1994, and March 1994 respectively. b) Temporary employees 
     have been involved with the National African American Museum 
     project since its inception. The current full-time permanent 
     Federal employees all started out as temporary employees. c) 
     For fiscal year 1994 the total projected compensation for the 
     full-time permanent Federal employees is $266,000.00. d) No 
     privately donated funds have been used for employee 
     compensation.
       18. Question.--In as precise detail as possible, what have 
     these employees accomplished while working towards the 
     establishment of the National African American Museum?
       Since 1991, the National African American Museum Project 
     (NAAMP) staff members have traveled around the country--to 
     New York, Vermont, Georgia, California, Virginia, South 
     Carolina, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, 
     Minnesota, and West Virginia--meeting with collectors and 
     artists. About 100,000 objects and documents have been 
     identified, including: personal and professional papers, 
     diaries, nineteenth and twentieth century studio portraits, 
     art works, first edition books, playbills and broadsides, 
     costumes, furniture, folk art, textiles, musical instruments, 
     ceramics, images and documents from the Civil Rights 
     Movement, as well as film, video, and audio recordings, and 
     professional film and recording artists' collections. The 
     staff maintains a correspondence with these collectors, 
     continually updating them as to the project's status, as well 
     as a computerized collection database and research files.
       NAAMP has come to be seen as a resource center for matters 
     relating to African American culture and history. Since 1992, 
     more than 2000 people, from the United States and abroad, 
     have called for information about research material, 
     collections, and other African American institutions. The 
     staff provide information and make appropriate referrals.
       In February 1993, NAAMP established a series of public 
     programs, including lectures, book readings, and films, which 
     continue with in conjunction with the new exhibition (see 
     below). Orator, NAAMP's quarterly newsletter, began 
     publication in March 1993, providing information about the 
     museum project, collectors we've identified, hints for 
     preserving collections, and African American museum events 
     around the country. NAAMP staff write, assign and edit 
     articles, locate photographs and illustrations, update timely 
     information, negotiate with printers and designers, and 
     distribute the newsletter (in-house). Newsletter readership 
     has grown from 2500 to 15,000 in less than two years.
       On August 15, 1994, NAAMP opened its first exhibition, 
     Imagining Families: Images and Voices. Though the staff is 
     small, the exhibition was produced in a mere seven months. 
     NAAMP staff conceptualized and wrote the exhibition script, 
     contacted the artists, arranged for shipment of materials, 
     supervised the exhibit designer and laborers, wrote and 
     produced the catalogues and brochures, and devised 
     educational and public programs to accompany the exhibition. 
     Imagining Families has received enthusiastic response from 
     both the press and the public.
       NAAMP has completed most of the content planning for the 
     proposed museum. In 1992, NAAMP began a series of task 
     forces--composed of museum professionals, educators, and 
     community representatives, from across the country. Working 
     with the staff, the committees define the museum's research, 
     collecting, and exhibition objectives in the ares of media, 
     art history, history, performing arts, diaspora issues, 
     biography, and the literary arts. Meetings were also held to 
     discuss collections management, education and interpretation, 
     research, administration and budget, marketing and 
     development, and facilities planning. The staff continues to 
     collaborate with the task force members; one result of this 
     collaboration--the development of an expansive mission 
     statement for the future museum.
       19. Question.--What is the total projected number of 
     employee positions the National African American Museum will 
     be required by the Smithsonian to have during the first five 
     years of the museum's operation?
       Answer.--The types of projects which will need to be 
     undertaken during the next five years will be identified by 
     program planning. We anticipate hiring temporary and or 
     contractual staff with specialized skills on a short-term 
     basis.
       20. Question.--Please identify as precisely as possible 
     projected salary levels (in individual annual dollar amounts) 
     for positions the National African American Museum will have 
     during its first five years of operation.
       Answer.--We cannot identify positions and salaries until 
     the planning process reveals the task which we will have to 
     undertake.
       21. Question.--Please identify the amount of federal 
     funding for salaries which can be reasonably expected during 
     each of the museum's first five years of operation.
       Answer.--Programming planning will reveal the amount of 
     trust and federal salaries needed for the first five years of 
     the museum operation. The staff is prepared to fund-raise for 
     private monies and employees with specialized skills might be 
     detailed to the museum to assist with planning efforts.
       22. Question.--In your letter of June 8th you refer, on 
     several occasions, to current African-American programming 
     and collections. Please identify all such current African-
     American programming and collections.
       Answer.--The National African-American Museum Project has 
     recently produced ``Imagining Families: Images and Voices,'' 
     a photographic exhibition featuring 15 artists and how they 
     interpret the relationship that exists between themselves, 
     their families and the broader American society. The works 
     that compose ``Imagining Families'' represent a sample of 
     what could possibly be included in the proposed Museum's 
     collections. In concert with ``Imagining Families,'' 
     installed in the south gallery of the Arts and Industries 
     Building, Smithsonian Institution, we have developed a series 
     of educational and public programs to enhance the public's 
     understanding of the exhibition's over-arching themes. (See 
     Attachment 22-A).
       The National Museum of American History, American Art, the 
     Portrait Gallery, the Air and Space Museum, Cooper-Hewitt, 
     and Hirshhorn especially include African Americans and other 
     ethnic Americans in their interpretations of history and art.
       23. Question.--Will all current African-American 
     programming and collections be consolidated in the proposed 
     African-American museum? If not, what collections and 
     programs will be housed or handled separately?
       Answer.--The Institution currently anticipates that the 
     National African-American Museum will collaborate and share 
     resources with all of its other museums.
       24. Question.--Will the National African-American Museum be 
     subject to the same oversight by the Board of Regents as are 
     all other museums and activities of the Smithsonian?
       Answer.--The National African-American Museum will be 
     subject to the same oversight by the Board of Regents as are 
     all other museums and activities of the Smithsonian.
       25. Question.--I sense that you misunderstood question #8 
     in my letter of June 8th. Let me restate it: The Smithsonian 
     report (issued in May of this year, entitled, ``Willful 
     Neglect: The Smithsonian Institution and U.S. Latinos'') 
     recommended, among other actions, the establishment of one or 
     more museums portraying the achievements of Americans of 
     Hispanic descent. What are the Smithsonian's plans in regard 
     to meeting this group's goals--especially in the sense of 
     establishing a separate museum?
       Answer.--The Smithsonian is engaged in a study that will 
     provide a variety of strategies to address the issues raised 
     in ``Willful Neglect: The Smithsonian Institution and U.S. 
     Latinos.'' The Regents are not currently entertaining a 
     proposal to establish ``one or more museums portraying the 
     achievements of Americans of Hispanic descent.''
       26. Question.--In your response of June 8th, you made only 
     partial response to question #11. Let me restate that 
     question: How will the Smithsonian deal with requests by 
     other groups--e.g., the Nation of Islam, or other ``black 
     separatist'' groups, or members or adherents to such groups, 
     who may desire to participate in the museum's planning, 
     operation, programs or activities? What problems will you 
     encounter when these groups seek to use the museum to honor 
     any of its leaders?
       Answer.--The National African American Museum is committed 
     to telling the whole story of African American History. That 
     story includes the issues of public and private citizens of 
     all ethnicities. The current planning which resulted in the 
     mission statement quoted herein was developed with the 
     cooperation of scholars throughout the country advocating 
     broad and diverse positions. Groups will not control the 
     content of the museum's programs and exhibitions. The 
     Smithsonian Institution will have the final say on any and 
     all programs.
       27. Question.--Will the Smithsonian permit any taxpayer 
     funds, allocated to this museum, to go directly or indirectly 
     to the Nation of Islam or any other ``black separatist'' 
     group?
       Answer.--Taxpayer funds will be used to develop balanced 
     exhibitions and programs. There are no plans for the 
     Smithsonian to fund any groups for any purpose.
       28. Question.--In the 102nd Congress, your proposal for a 
     National African American Museum was approved by the U.S. 
     Senate, but then killed by the U.S. House of Representatives. 
     In your judgement, why did the House kill this legislation?
       Answer.--The National African American Museum legislation 
     stalled in the Public Works Committee because some members 
     advocated the construction of a new facility as opposed to 
     use of the Arts and Industries Building. There was however, 
     agreement that there should be a National African American 
     Museum.
       29. Question.--Please provide a copy of the Smithsonian 
     budgets for 1993 and 1994, including budgets for each museum 
     under the purview of the Smithsonian, and the total amount of 
     federal funds involved in each.
       Answer.--Please see attachments.
       Senator Helms, I am hopeful that this information will 
     helpful to you.
           Sincerely,
                                              Constance B. Newman,
                                                  Under Secretary.
  Mr. SIMON. We are not talking about Federal dollars here. We are 
talking about whether or not we want to go ahead and have a museum that 
Smithsonian says we should have. I believe in their judgment on this. I 
think they are right. I hope we do the right thing.
  Mr. HELMS addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Breaux). The Senator from North Carolina.
  Mr. HELMS. I do not believe I used all my time. Let me ask the Chair 
to do me the favor of having the clerk to read the lines 10 through 12 
on page 11 of Senator Simon's bill.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read that portion of the 
amendment.
  Mr. SIMON. I understand that is standard.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I believe I have the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Carolina has the floor.
  Will the Senator repeat the section of the bill he would like read?
  Mr. HELMS. Pardon me.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Will the Senator repeat the section of the 
bill he would like read?
  Mr. HELMS. Lines 10, 11, and 12 on page 11.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk is informing the Chair that he is 
unable to find the section designated by the Senator from North 
Carolina.
  Mr. HELMS. I acknowledge that I am in fact reading from Senator 
Simon's bill rather than the amendment. So the lines in the bill would 
not necessarily match those in the amendment. Let me read the last 3 
lines of the Senator's amendment:

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
     necessary only per costs directly relating to the operation 
     and maintenance of the museum.

  Senators know what that means.

       Such sums as may be necessary only for costs directly 
     relating to the operation and maintenance of the museum.
  I have a proposal for Senator Simon. I will read it into the Record 
and then pass the proposed modification of his amendment to him and 
maybe we can do business. I propose that he add this to his amendment:

       Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds not 
     previously appropriated shall be available for the operation 
     of, maintenance of, activities of, programs of, or the 
     salaries and expenses of the personnel of the National 
     African American Museum.

  I do not expect him to answer now. But I will pass this proposal to 
him. We can talk about it tomorrow.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, since I did not use all of the time, let me 
respond very briefly. Obviously, they are going to use the money they 
have now to cover their entire operation, and they are not asking for 
any additional sums. The amendment offered by the Senator, as I heard 
it, would apparently preclude that.
  If my colleague from North Carolina will yield so I may respond, if 
we were to knock out those last three lines, I assume you would be a 
supporter of this amendment. I ask my friend from North Carolina.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I will say to the Senator that you would be 
going some way toward working out the problem by accepting my 
modification to assure that only private funds will be used to operate 
this museum. But I am not in a position to say right now at 3 minutes 
past 11 that this one modification will make the amendment totally 
satisfactory. But it will go some way.
  The modification I proposed will permit the museum to use previously 
appropriated funds. But, after that, only private funds shall be used.
  Mr. SIMON. They have $475,000 already appropriated, and I think they 
should use that for planning--for planning how they finance it. We are 
not asking that the Smithsonian get additional funds for the operation 
of the museum.
  Mr. HELMS. If the Senator will yield--is the Senator trying to 
dispose of my proposed modification?
  Mr. SIMON. It sounded like the modification went beyond that. But 
maybe we can work something out. I would love to work something out and 
have a Helms-Simon amendment tomorrow joined by Senator Carol Moseley-
Braun.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, if that happens, a lot of people will 
faint. Well, in any case, as to the Washington Post editorial, it is 
something akin to being flogged with a wet noodle to have the 
Washington Post criticize me, particularly when they do not know how to 
get the facts straight.
  I thank the Chair. I yield the floor.
  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.
  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, thank you. Thank you very much.
  I would just encourage the Senator from North Carolina and my senior 
Senator from Illinois to get together. We can all get together and work 
on this. I think that there would be joy in the hearts of people to see 
a Simon-Helms-Moseley-Braun amendment as opposed to fainting. I would 
encourage the Senator from North Carolina to work with the Senators 
from Illinois in behalf of a consensus on this bill. It is an important 
piece of legislation. I would like very much--I think this Chamber 
would like very much--to have an amenable resolution of it.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. SMITH. What is the order--much business?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair will say to the Senator that the 
Senate is in morning business with Senators permitted to speak for up 
to 10 minutes each.
  Mr. SMITH. I ask to be recognized under morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Hampshire is recognized.
  Mr. SMITH. I thank the Chair.
  (The remarks of Mr. Smith pertaining to the introduction of S. 2533 
are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. FORD. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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