[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3] [House] [Pages 3223-3224] [From the U.S. 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 [[Page 3224]] 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. 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. Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the appointment of John McCarter to serve on the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents. The Board of Regents is responsible for a variety of issues related to the Smithsonian Institution, including budgets, planning documents, proposed programs and construction, appointments to Smithsonian advisory boards, and legislative initiatives. Given the variety and importance of the Board's responsibilities in managing the public's most cherished cultural institutions, and given the recent controversies regarding Smithsonian leadership, we must support the appointment of members to the Board of Regents who will ensure that the Smithsonian Institution will fulfill its critical mission in perpetuity. That is why I am pleased to support John McCarter's appointment. John McCarter has an accomplished history of service in both the public and private sector. Currently, he serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Field Museum, a jewel in the crown of cultural attractions in Chicago, and one of the greatest natural history museums in the world. The Field Museum attracts over 1 million visitors each year; its collection includes over 23 million specimens, a number which continues to grow due to its ongoing expeditions and research in 94 countries around the world; and its staff includes 72 Ph.D.s. Under John's leadership, the Field Museum has undertaken a series of projects to rebuild and restore the museum. During his tenure the Museum has created several new permanent and traveling exhibits, including the ``Tutankhamen and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs'' exhibit in 2006, which has toured to Philadelphia, London, and soon Dallas, to sold out crowds. The museum has also expanded its educational role in the community, establishing partnerships with science teachers in the community and organizing activities for inner- city schools. A native Chicagoan, John previously was Senior Vice President of Booz Allen & Hamilton, Inc. Earlier in his career, he served as President of DeKalb Corporation, and was Budget Director of the State of Illinois under Governor Richard B. Ogilvie. John was also a White House Fellow during the administration of Lyndon B. Johnson, and is currently a trustee of the University of Chicago and a board member and former Chairman of Chicago's Public Television Station Channel 11. McCarter is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Business School, and also attended the London School of Economics. It is my honor to support the appointment of John McCarter to the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents. John's service to the Field Museum, to the City of Chicago, to Illinois, and to the country, will make him an invaluable addition to the Board. 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. ____________________