[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 175 (Tuesday, November 7, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H11793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     APPOINTMENT OF LOUIS GERSTNER TO SMITHSONIAN BOARD OF REGENTS

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I have moved to suspend the rules and pass 
the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 112) providing for the appointment of 
Louis Gerstner as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the 
Smithsonian Institution.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                             H.J. Res. 112

       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 Ira Michael Heyman of California on May 27, 
     1994, is filled by the appointment of Louis Gerstner of 
     Connecticut. The appointment is for a term of six years and 
     shall take effect on the date on which this joint resolution 
     becomes law.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Thomas] and the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Hoyer] 
will each be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California [Mr. Thomas].
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Joint Resolution 112, which provides for the appointment of 
Louis Gerstner to the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents is, I 
think, equally luminous. Louis Gerstner's impressive credentials begin 
with his current position as chairman of the board and chief executive 
officer of the IBM Corp. Prior to his work at IBM, Mr. Gerstner has 
held top positions at RJR Nabisco, American Express, and the management 
consulting firm of McKinsey & Co.
  While Mr. Gerstner obviously offers a diverse and impressive business 
background, I think it is especially significant with his appointment 
as a regent of the Smithsonian to emphasize that Mr. Gerstner, 
throughout his lifetime, has had a continuous commitment to improving 
our system of education, and this seems to be an excellent appointment 
as a citizen regent. I urge my colleagues to support House Joint 
Resolution 112.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Once again I am pleased to join the chairman of the Committee on 
House Oversight, Mr. Thomas, in support of this resolution. The nominee 
will, I am sure, make a very outstanding contribution to the work of 
the Smithsonian Board of Regents.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Thomas] that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the joint resolution, House Joint Resolution 112.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. HILLEARY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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