[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


117 STAT. 888

Public Law 108-72
108th Congress

An Act


 
To provide for additional space and resources for national collections
held by the Smithsonian Institution, and for other
purposes. [NOTE: Aug. 15, 2003 -  [H.R. 2195]]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, [NOTE: Smithsonian
Facilities Authorization Act.]

SECTION 1. [NOTE: 20 USC 41 note.] SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Smithsonian Facilities Authorization
Act''.

SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL SPACE AND RESOURCES FOR NATIONAL COLLECTIONS HELD BY
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

(a) In General.--Public Law 94-98 (20 U.S.C. 50 note; 89 Stat. 480)
is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL SPACE AND RESOURCES FOR NATIONAL COLLECTIONS HELD
BY THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

``(a) In General.--The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian
Institution may plan, design, construct, and equip additional special
use storage and laboratory space at the museum support facility of the
Smithsonian Institution in Suitland, Maryland, to accommodate the care,
preservation, conservation, deposit, and study of national collections
held in trust by the Institution.
``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
``(1) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
``(2) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and
``(3) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years
2005 through 2008.''.

(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3 of Public Law 94-98 (20 U.S.C.
50 note; 89 Stat. 480) is amended in the first sentence by striking
``the purposes of this Act.'' and inserting ``this Act (other than
section 4).''.

SEC. 3. [NOTE: 20 USC 75b note.] PATENT OFFICE BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS.

(a) Authorization of Use of Funds.--
(1) In general.--The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian
Institution may plan, design, and construct improvements to the
interior and exterior of the Patent Office Building (including
the construction of a roof covering for the courtyard), using
funds available to the Institution from nonappropriated sources.
(2) Definition.--In this section, the term ``Patent Office
Building'' means the building transferred to the Smithsonian
Institution pursuant to Public Law 85-357.

(b) Design and Specifications.--The design and specifications for
any exterior alterations authorized by subsection (a) shall be--

[[Page 889]]

117 STAT. 889

(1) submitted by the Secretary of the Smithsonian
Institution (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'')
to the Commission of Fine Arts for comments and recommendations;
and
(2) subject to the review and approval of the National
Capital Planning Commission in accordance with section 8722 of
title 40, United States Code, and section 16 of the Act of June
20, 1938 (sec. 6-641.15, D.C. Official Code).

(c) Authority of Historic Preservation Agencies.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
(A) take into account the effect of the improvements
authorized by subsection (a) on the historic character
of the Patent Office Building; and
(B) provide the Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation a reasonable opportunity to comment with
regard to such improvements.
(2) Status of smithsonian.--In carrying out this subsection,
and in carrying out other projects in the District of Columbia
which are subject to the review and approval of the National
Capital Planning Commission in accordance with section 16 of the
Act of June 20, 1938 (sec. 6-641.15, D.C. Official Code), the
Smithsonian Institution shall be deemed to be an agency for
purposes of compliance with regulations promulgated by the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation pursuant to section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f).

SEC. 4. [NOTE: 41 USC 253l-8.] CONTRACTING AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution may--
(1) enter into multi-year contracts for the acquisition of
property and services under the authority of section 304B of the
Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41
U.S.C. 254c); and
(2) enter into contracts for the acquisition of severable
services for a period that begins in one fiscal year and ends in
the next fiscal year under the authority of section 303L of the
Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41
U.S.C. 253l).

(b) Effective Date.--This [NOTE: Applicability.] section shall
apply to contracts entered into on or after the date of the enactment of
this Act.

SEC. 5. [NOTE: 5 USC 3521 note.] VOLUNTARY SEPARATION INCENTIVE
PAYMENTS.

The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution may establish a program
for making voluntary separation incentive payments for employees of the
Smithsonian Institution which is substantially similar to the program
established under subchapter II of chapter 35 of title 5, United States
Code (as added by section 1313(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002).

SEC. 6. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) On December 4, 1987, Congress approved House Concurrent
Resolution 57, designating jazz as ``a rare and valuable
national American treasure''.

[[Page 890]]

117 STAT. 890

(2) Jazz has inspired some of the Nation's leading creative
artists and ranks as one of the greatest cultural exports of the
United States.
(3) Jazz is an original American art form which has inspired
dancers, choreographers, poets, novelists, filmmakers, classical
composers, and musicians in many other kinds of music.
(4) Jazz has become an international language that bridges
cultural differences and brings people of all races, ages, and
backgrounds together.
(5) The jazz heritage of the United States should be
appreciated as broadly as possible and should be part of the
educational curriculum for children in the United States.
(6) The Smithsonian Institution has played a vital role in
the preservation of American culture, including art and music.
(7) The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of
American History has established April as Jazz Appreciation
Month to pay tribute to jazz as both a historic and living
American art form.
(8) The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of
American History has received great contributions toward this
effort from other governmental agencies and cultural
organizations.

(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of
American History should be commended for establishing a Jazz
Appreciation Month; and
(2) musicians, schools, colleges, libraries, concert halls,
museums, radio and television stations, and other organizations
should develop programs to explore, perpetuate, and honor jazz
as a national and world treasure.

Approved August 15, 2003.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 2195:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 149 (2003):
July 15, considered and passed House.
July 31, considered and passed Senate.