[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 5, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1248-H1249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR APPOINTMENT OF JOHN W. MCCARTER AS A CITIZEN REGENT OF 
          THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the Senate joint resolution (S.J. Res. 25) providing for the 
appointment of John W. McCarter as a citizen regent of the Board of 
Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate joint resolution.
  The text of the Senate joint resolution is as follows:

                              S.J. Res. 25

       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 (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 because of the expiration of the term of 
     Walter E. Massey of Georgia, is filled by the appointment of 
     John W. McCarter of Illinois, for a term of 6 years, 
     effective on the date of the enactment of this resolution.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
on the Record on this Senate joint resolution being considered today.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Senate Joint Resolution 25 would appoint John W.

[[Page H1249]]

McCarter, Jr. as a citizen regent of the Smithsonian for a 6-year term. 
Mr. McCarter is currently the president and CEO of the Field Museum in 
Chicago, which is one of our Nation's great cultural institutions.
  Mr. McCarter has had a diverse background in government and business 
in addition to his role in heading one of the Nation's great museums. A 
native Chicagoan, he previously was senior vice president of Booz Allen 
& Hamilton, president of DeKalb Corporation, and was budget director of 
the State of Illinois under Governor Richard B. Ogilvie. He was a White 
House Fellow during the administration of President Lyndon Johnson.
  Mr. McCarter brings a wealth of useful skills to the board. As an 
experienced museum director, he may prove especially valuable in 
helping to implement governance reforms at the institution.
  Passage of this joint resolution would fill a vacancy on the 
Smithsonian Board of Regents that has lasted for nearly 1 year. It 
continues the necessary process of bringing new blood into the 
Smithsonian Institution. Passage now would allow Mr. McCarter to join 
the board in time for a vote to appoint a new Secretary, which is 
expected later this month.
  There is still one vacancy remaining among the citizen regents of the 
Smithsonian. I urge the board to send Congress a recommendation soon, 
so we can bring it back up to full strength.
  I urge approval of the joint resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. EHLERS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I also rise in support of S.J. Res. 25, the appointment 
of John W. McCarter as a citizen regent of the Smithsonian 
Institution's Board of Regents.
  The previous speaker, the Chair of the House Administration 
Committee, has pointed out the outstanding record of Mr. McCarter and 
what he has done. He is the ideal appointee to the board of the 
Smithsonian.

                              {time}  1315

  Mr. McCarter combines extensive experience as director of the Field 
Museum, which is a responsibility very similar to that of the 
Smithsonian Museum, although perhaps on a smaller scale. His experience 
in the day-to-day operations of the Field Museum will hold him in good 
stead on the Smithsonian Board. Furthermore, he has considerable 
experience in the private sector, and that experience will also be most 
helpful in the operation of the Smithsonian.
  Mr. Speaker, we have had some problems with the Smithsonian during 
the past few years, with both the previous secretary and with some of 
the enterprises the Smithsonian has engaged in. I would volunteer that 
Mr. McCarter is precisely the sort of person we need to straighten out 
the operations of the Smithsonian, to serve with his unique knowledge 
in the field of museums, and also his role in business. I believe he is 
going to make an outstanding addition to this board. I am very 
confident that we should appoint him, and that he will be a well-
qualified, highly capable addition to the board charged with protecting 
the Nation's Attic, as we fondly call the Smithsonian. I urge all of my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the Senate joint resolution, S.J. Res. 25.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the Senate joint resolution was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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