[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 19, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H2123-H2124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PROVIDING FOR APPOINTMENT OF SHIRLEY ANN JACKSON TO BOARD OF REGENTS OF 
                        SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint 
resolution (H.J. Res. 19) providing for the appointment of Shirley Ann 
Jackson as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian 
Institution.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H.J. Res. 19

       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

[[Page H2124]]

     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 
     expiration of the term of Hanna H. Gray of Illinois on April 
     13, 2005, is filled by the appointment of Shirley Ann Jackson 
     of New York. The appointment is for a term of 6 years, 
     beginning on the later of April 14, 2005, or the date of the 
     enactment of this joint resolution.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Ney) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney).
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Joint Resolution 19. I 
am pleased to be here on the floor with my distinguished colleague from 
New York to talk about the appointment of Shirley Ann Jackson as a 
citizen regent of the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents.
  The Smithsonian's governing board is comprised of 17 members. These 
members include the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Vice 
President of the United States, six Members of Congress, and nine 
citizens who are nominated by the board and approved jointly in a 
resolution of Congress. The nine citizen members serve for a term of 6 
years each and are eligible for reappointment to one additional term.
  Shirley Ann Jackson will fill a vacancy on the board being created 
with the departure of Hanna Gray. Shirley Ann Jackson is the 18th 
president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the first African 
American woman to lead a national research university.

                              {time}  1515

  Dr. Jackson has been a pioneer in many of her other endeavors as 
well. She is the first African American woman to receive a doctorate 
from MIT, the first African American to become a commissioner and 
chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the first 
African American woman elected to the National Academy of Engineering.
  Her accomplishments in the field of physics and her leadership as the 
head of a national research university provide her with tremendous 
experience that will benefit the Smithsonian's board.
  Dr. Jackson is currently President of the American Association for 
the Advancement of Science, and she was named one of seven 2004 Fellows 
of the Association for Women in Science.
  In addition to her experience, Dr. Jackson has received the Golden 
Torch Award for Lifetime Achievement in Academia from the National 
Society of Black Engineers. She has been inducted into the National 
Women's Hall of Fame, and she has been recognized in such publications 
as Discover and Industry Week magazines and the Essence book, 50 of The 
Most Inspiring African Americans.
  I could go on and on because I have merely scratched the surface of 
Dr. Jackson's numerous achievements, as well as the honors and awards 
she has received. But I will conclude by saying that it should be very 
clear that Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson would be a tremendous addition to 
the Smithsonian Institution's governing board. It will be an honor and 
pleasure to have her serve on that board, and I ask my colleagues to 
support House Joint Resolution 19.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I consider it a great honor to come to the floor today 
to nominate my friend Shirley Ann Jackson for the position of member of 
the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.
  As the chairman pointed out, Dr. Jackson is the 18th President of 
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a leading national research 
university, which I am proud to say is located in my congressional 
district in the great city of Troy, New York, and I am also proud to 
say that Shirley Ann Jackson is a constituent.
  Dr. Jackson is widely recognized for her intelligent, compassionate 
problem-solving abilities and her promotion of women and minorities in 
science. Dr. Jackson is currently the President of the American 
Association for the Advancement of Science and is a director of many 
major corporations, including FedEx and AT&T.
  She is also a member of the New York Stock Exchange Board of 
Directors, the Council on Foreign Relations, the National Academy of 
Engineering, the National Advisory Council on Biomedical Imaging and 
Bioengineering at NIH, the U.S. Comptroller-General's Advisory 
Committee for the GAO, and the Executive Committee of the Council on 
Competitiveness.
  She is also a Fellow at the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and 
is a trustee of Georgetown University, Rockefeller University, Emma 
Willard School, and the Brookings Institution.
  As the chairman pointed out, she is the recipient of many awards and 
honors, including life membership on the MIT Board of Trustees.
  A native of Washington, D.C., Dr. Jackson received both her B.S. in 
physics and her Ph.D. in theoretical elementary particle physics from 
MIT. Dr. Jackson also holds 32 honorary doctoral degrees.
  Mr. Speaker, as the chairman pointed out, Dr. Jackson is uniquely 
qualified for this position, and I urge adoption of the joint 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I am delighted again to refer this resolution to my colleagues for 
their consideration and support. Dr. Jackson is a great friend. She is 
a constituent. She is an outstanding American and a great humanitarian, 
and I urge adoption of the joint resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bishop of Utah). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 19.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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