[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 41 (Tuesday, April 4, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H1401-H1402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF PHILLIP FROST AS A CITIZEN REGENT OF 
          THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 81) providing for the appointment of 
Phillip Frost as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the 
Smithsonian Institution.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H.J. Res. 81

       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 
     expiration of the term of Manuel L. Ibanez of Texas on May 4, 
     2006, is filled by the appointment of Phillip Frost of 
     Florida. The appointment is for a term of 6 years, beginning 
     on the later of May 5, 2006, or the date of the enactment of 
     this joint resolution.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman 
Schultz) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Joint Resolution 81 provides for the appointment of Phillip 
Frost to serve on the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.
  This 17-member board, which governs the Smithsonian Institution, is 
comprised of the Chief Justice and Vice President of the United States, 
three Members each from the House and Senate, and nine citizens who are 
nominated by the Board and approved jointly in a resolution of 
Congress.
  Our first regent nominee, Phillip Frost, founded Ivax Corporation, 
and has served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board 
since 1987; he also served as President of Ivax from 1991 to 1995. 
Before founding Ivax, Dr. Frost chaired the Department of Dermatology 
at the Mount Sinai Medical Center of Greater Miami from 1972 to 1990. 
His other work involved joining the University of Miami School of 
Medicine faculty in 1966. Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Frost was 
named the 2001 National Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young.
  A native of Philadelphia, Dr. Frost attended the University of Paris 
from 1955 to 1956. He received his Bachelor's Degree from the 
University of Pennsylvania and his medical degree from the Albert 
Einstein College of Medicine in New York in 1961.
  Dr. Frost and his wife Patricia, who currently serves as Chair of the 
Smithsonian National Board, have displayed a genuine commitment to the 
arts through personal leadership and philanthropy. In 1986, they gave 
their entire 113-piece collection of American abstract art to the 
Smithsonian American Art Museum.
  Dr. Frost has experience serving on a variety of boards and possesses 
significant fiscal experience with matters of government oversight.

                              {time}  1415

  I believe the Smithsonian can benefit greatly from Phillip Frost's 
financial, educational, and leadership experience. And I urge my 
colleagues to support House Joint Resolution 81.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I too rise in support of House Joint Resolution 81 to appoint Dr. 
Phillip Frost of Florida for a 6-year term as a citizen regent of the 
Smithsonian Institution.
  Dr. Frost, who is a medical doctor, is a noted collector of American 
abstract art and a philanthropist, who, since 1987, as was mentioned, 
has served as the chairman of the board and CEO of the IVAX 
Corporation, which develops and markets pharmaceutical products.
  Dr. Frost and his wife, Patricia, gave their 113-piece collection of 
American abstract art to the Smithsonian American Art Museum in 1986. 
In another major philanthropic donation, they previously gave a $33 
million gift to the University of Miami for its school of

[[Page H1402]]

music. Subsequently, the school of music was named after Dr. Frost and 
his wife, Patricia.
  Dr. Frost's broad background in medicine, science, business, and 
culture will be a valuable asset to the Smithsonian.
  And, Madam Speaker, just as a personal aside, I have a personal 
relationship with Dr. Phil Frost. He is a renowned philanthropic 
contributor both in the community in south Florida and across this 
country. I have worked with him on several projects and also would like 
to note his deep commitment and involvement in the Jewish community in 
south Florida, and I am privileged to be able to stand before this 
House today and ask unanimous support for this resolution.
  I urge my colleagues to support House Joint Resolution 81 so that 
this joint resolution can be signed into law before the May meeting of 
the Smithsonian regents.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Joint 
Resolution 81, which appoints Dr. Phillip Frost as a Citizen Regent of 
the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Frost and his 
wife Patricia have long been ardent supporters of the arts, especially 
in my Congressional District of South Florida.
  Dr. Frost grew up living above his father's shoe store as a child in 
Philadelphia. While in college at the University of Pennsylvania, he 
traveled to Paris for a year to study French Literature. While in 
Paris, his life long commitment to the arts began.
  Dr. Frost came to South Florida to complete a one-year senior 
residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Fortunately for South 
Floridians, he has remained for over forty years, In 1966, he joined 
the faculty of the University of Miami School of Medicine. From there 
he moved on to Mount Sinai Medical Center in 1972, chairing their 
Department of Dermatology until 1990.
  Dr. Frost's success in medicine translated into business, and he has 
used his success to enhance the South Florida Community. Dr. Frost has 
distinguished himself nationally as a business leader. It came as no 
surprise that in 2001; he received the National Ernst & Young 
Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
  Dr. Frost's contributions to our community in South Florida have been 
invaluable. Dr. Frost has been a huge supporter of the University of 
Miami's Music Department, which is now named after he and his wife.
  In 1993, Florida International University presented him with an 
honorary degree for his many contributions in medicine, business, and 
community service. He also has been a strong advocate of the Miami Art 
Museum.
  I would like to commend Dr. Frost for his dedication to enriching the 
lives of South Floridians through the arts. I urge my colleagues to 
support House Joint Resolution 81 and promote Dr. Frost as a Citizen 
Regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 81.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam 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 question will 
be postponed.

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