[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 4856-4857]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




PROVIDING FOR THE REAPPOINTMENT OF ALAN G. SPOON 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. 82) providing for the reappointment of Alan 
G. Spoon as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian 
Institution.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H.J. Res. 82

       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 Alan G. Spoon of Massachusetts on 
     May 4, 2006, is filled by the reappointment of the incumbent 
     for a term of 6 years. The reappointment shall take effect on 
     May 5, 2006.

  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 82 provides for the reappointment of Alan G. 
Spoon as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian 
Institution.
  Alan Spoon has served as a member of the Smithsonian's National 
Museum of Natural History Board of Regents since 2000 and, by all 
accounts, has done an excellent job. His diverse background in finance, 
management, and technology has served the institution very well. We 
would be privileged to have him continue to serve as a member.
  Mr. Spoon has a unique skill-set, stemming from his 25 years of 
service in various dynamic business atmos-
pheres. Mr. Spoon currently serves as a managing partner of Polaris 
Venture Partners, which invests in Internet-
related businesses, networking, biotechnology, and medical technology.
  Prior to his position with Polaris, he served in a variety of 
capacities at The Washington Post Company. These included positions as 
president, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, president 
of Newsweek, head of newspaper marketing, and head of corporate 
business development.
  Prior to serving on the Board of Regents, Mr. Spoon served on the 
National Museum of Natural History's Board of Directors. Mr. Spoon 
received his BA at M.I.T., his MS at M.I.T.'s Sloan School of 
Management, and his JD from Harvard Law School.
  In light of his distinguished service with the Smithsonian 
Institution, I urge my colleagues to support House Joint Resolution 82 
and reappoint Mr. Spoon to an additional 6-year term.
  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 support H.J. Resolution 82 to reappoint Alan G. Spoon of 
Massachusetts for a new 6-year term as a citizen regent of the 
Smithsonian Institution.
  I want to mention that my colleague, the Hon. Congressman Barney 
Frank, joins me in the support of this resolution as well.
  Alan Spoon was previously appointed to the Board of Regents by 
Congress in 2000. He is a member of the executive committee of the 
board and chairman of the Finance and Investment Committee. As was 
mentioned, Mr. Spoon is the managing partner of Polaris Venture 
Partners, an investment company, and was previously president of The 
Washington Post Company. Prior to that experience, Mr. Spoon also 
served as president of Newsweek magazine, an impressive accomplishment. 
He also brings previous experience to the Smithsonian as a member of 
the National Museum of Natural History's advisory board.
  I believe the Smithsonian will continue to benefit from Alan Spoon's 
financial, marketing, and management background and continuing 
experience on the Board of Regents.
  I urge my colleagues to support House Joint Resolution 82 so that 
this joint resolution can be signed into law before the May meeting of 
the Smithsonian regents.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr.

[[Page 4857]]

Ehlers) that the House suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution, 
H.J. Res. 82.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the joint resolution was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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