Well, i understand the raking member is on his way. Since we have kind of a tight schedule and we have a quorum, ill start and he can give his Opening Statement. Here he is now. The committee will come to order. We want to welcome everyone on this hearing providing oversight to the Smithsonian Institution. In 1836 congress accepted a bequest from james smithson, an english scientist who had never visited the United States but nevertheless decided to leave his substantial fortune to our Young Country for the increase in diffusion of knowledge. Ten years later in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution was formally established by congress. In the 173 years since, the smithsonian has grown to a complex of 19 museums, Numerous Research centers, a library system, a network of more than 200 affiliate organizations, archives and the national zoo. Today the smithsonian serves as steward to more than 154 million artifacts, works of art and specimens. Visitors from across the country and around the world flock to see this broad collection. And in 2018 alone, there were nearly 29 million visits so the smithsonian. The smithsonian also works with entities around the world to advance critical scientific discovery and research. Earlier this year, thanks in large part to the smithsonian as fiscal leadership, the first ever image of a black hole was unveiled to the public. I was so honored to meet the scientists who affiliated with the smithsonian who were responsible for that photo. Just last week we learned Smithsonian Researchers in the amazon discovered a new species of electric eel described as the most powerful as ever. The Smithsonian Institute, however, is not without challenges as it continues to work through the Strategic Plan. These challenges need to be addressed for the smithsonian to carry out his mission to increase and if diffuse knowledge and they include a deferred maintenance backlog approaching nearly 1 billion, a shortage of Storage Space for the institutions evergrowing collection, insufficient diversity among smithsonian staff and leadership and inadequate Information Technology security. The smithsonian is also in the midst of a largescale, multiphase renovation of the national air and space museum. These challenges exist in the context of a transition period for the smithsonian which as of june this year has a new secretary and were honored to have secretary bunch join us this morning for his first appearance before congress as secretary. In addition to these challenges, there are a number of congressional proposals for new museums at various levels of maturity. These proceed proposals include hr1980, smithsonian womens history act and hr2420, Representatives National museum of the american latino act. These proposals would establish american an American Museum of womens history and a National Museum of american Latino History respectively. Similar to the authorizing legislation for the National Museum of africanAmerican History and culture, these proposals contemplate a combination of federally appropriated and privately raised funds to finance the construction of Museum Building and direct the smithsonian positive appoint a director to manage the museum. This hearing will inform the Committee Consideration of these proposals as well. Before i formally introduce our witnesses, i would like to recognize our Ranking Member davis for any comments he would like on the Smithsonian Institution oversight hearing. Welcome, mr. Davis. Thank you that chairperson lofgren for holding this hearing and both witnesses who are testifying for the first time before our committee. Its not that scary, is it . All right. We certainly hope youll come back. I do want to thank you, secretary bunch, for bringing the cast of the hands of one of my most famous constituents from springfield, illinois. Some places in illinois, abe lincoln might still be able to vote, but not in springfield. We have before us an opportunity to hear from you and im really honored that youve become secretary. I certainly look forward to working with you. Youve already scored a big success with apollo 50. It was a great tribute to apollo history. The smithsonian has become the Worlds Largest museum, education and research complex. The institution preserves and celebrates our nations Cultural Heritage and advances scientific discovery in multiple disciplines. On behalf of the american people, congress, the board of regents and the smithsonian management, you have a responsibility to ensure the continued success of the institution for future generations. The smithsonian has a broad mission. The increase in diffusion of knowledge. In a bold Strategic Plan to support that mission. The critical goal in the plan is to reach 1 billion people a year through a digitalfirst strategy. Making the smithsonians rich collections, firstclass research and empowering educational materials accessible to americans across the country, not just those who visit washington, d. C. That needs to be a fundamental part of the institutions strategy moving forward. Im particularly pleased my former boss and mentor congressman john shimkus serves on the board of regents. It allows him to provide the smithsonian with perspectives. I look forward to hearing from you, secretary bunch, on how to achieve this goal. As a large and complex organization with 19 museums and the national zoo, multiple Research Centers and an international presence, the smithsonian also faces significant risks and challenges. First to mind is the smithsonians current 900 million renovation of one of the worlds most visited museums, my twin boys favorite, the national air and space facility on the national mall. Thats being done while a portion remains open, thankfully to the visiting public. Additionally, increasing maintenance backlog that is just over 1 billion. Furthermore, inadequate Storage Space for collections. Finally, reports identified much needed i. T. Security improvements. I welcome the Inspector Generals comments on these and other risks facing the institution and look forward to discussing the smithsonians approach to addressing them. In addition, there are several proposals for new Smithsonian Museums. Establishing a new museum is a complex undertaking and should be carefully considered to ensure its success. With his experience as founding director of the National Museum of africanAmerican History and culture, we are hopeful that secretary bunch can provide the committee with insight into the issues surrounding the establishment of new museums and the keys to success in doing so. Finally, secretary bunch, im excited about the possibility of your visiting springfield, illinois. In my direct, which happens to be the site of the 1908 race riots and the birthplace of the naacp. The committee would love to have you view the artifacts being excavated right now and tour the site which the department of interior just determined was suitable as suitable for a National Historic monument. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from our witness and i yield back. Gentleman yields back. Other members Opening Statements will be put into the record by unanimous consent. I would like to note we have in our audience today congresswoman carolyn maloney, who is the author of the Womens History Museum bill, which it now has a sufficient number of cosponsors to actually pass the house. So, welcome, representative maloney. Id like to welcome our witnesses. Joining us this morning are the secretary of the smithsonian, lonnie bunch, and the smithsonian Inspector General, kathy helm. Secretary bunch is the 14th secretary of the smithsonian and id like to highlight has been mentioned by the Ranking Member, the first africanamerican to lead the institution. He assumed the role of secretary in june 2019. While secretary bunch is new to his current position, hes certainly not new to the smithsonian. From 2005 until this year he served as director of smithsonians National Museum of africanamerican culture. A spectacular museum. If people have not yet visited it, i highly recommend you do so. When he started that job in 2005, mr. Bunch had one staff member, no collections and no dedicated museum site. Thanks to his leadership since the National Museum of africanAmerican History and culture opened in 2016, it has welcomed more than 5 million visitors. Its compiled a collection of 40,000 objects that are housed in the first Green Building on the national mall. He has served as the president of the Chicago Historical society, as associate director for the curatorial, also an accomplished author having written on topics ranging from the american presidency to diversity in museum management. His most recent work, a fools erra errand is about his experience creating the africanamerican History Museum. Really a crowning glory of an achievement for you, sir. Were so honored. After the hearing he has brought some artifacts from the smithsonian for us to look at, which are really something special. Please, do take the time after the hearing to take a look at them. Kathy helm has been serving as Inspector General for the Smithsonian Institution since 2014. Shes responsible for conducting audits and investigations, keeping the board of regents and congress informed about problems and deficiencies, promoting efficiency and effectiveness within the smithsonian and preventing and detecting fraud, waste and abuse. Inspector general helm serves as vice chair of the Audit Committee for the council on Inspector General integrity and efficiency and in charge of a small group of general inspectors who meet quarterly to exchange ideas. Before she joined the smithsonian, she worked at deputy Inspector General at the u. S. Government Accountability Office where she helped lead audit and investigative programs. Welcome to both of todays witnesses. We thank you so much for coming. At this time i would ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and all written statements may be made part of the record. Without objection, that is so ordered. Ill remind the witnesses that your entire statement will be part of the record. We ask you to summarize your written statement at about five minutes. When the five minutes is nearing up, the little light will turn yellow and when its red, it means there are five minutes up. We would ask you to wind it up. The record will remain open for at least five days for additional materials or questions to be submitted to you. So, now we will turn to you, secretary bunch. Welcome, and were eager to hear your testimony. Thank you so much, chairperson lofgren, Ranking Member davis and members of the committee. Thank you for this opportunity to testify today. My tenure as the 14th secretary of the smithsonian has been only a few short months, but as youve mentioned, my relationship with this institution goes back to when i was a 26yearold kid. I was so honored to serve as founding director of the National Museum of africanAmerican History and culture. I am more than pleased, in fact, im humbled, to assume the role as secretary of this institution. The institution i love so much. The smith season yapp greatly appreciates the continued support of congress, the administration and the american people. And we take seriously the crucial role we play in advancing the civic, educational and scientific life of this nation. Our goal is to reach in meaningful ways at least 1 billion people worldwide. Nothing replaces the authentic artifacts we have on display, but we need to reach millions who cannot visit us in person, using all the Digital Tools available to us. I am committed to achieving this goal while protecting and securing our Digital Assets and those of the users of our technology. Cultural institutions are uniquely equipped to inspire and we magnify that ability when we truly reflect the rich tapestry of humanity. The smithsonian is committed to increasing and attracting a diverse and talented workforce. I am pleased that congress has supported the goal of telling more expansive and representative stories by shepherding legislation that advocates for new museums. In congress deems it to authorize the smithsonian to build a new museum and provides the necessary additional funds for that purpose and appropriates means for a longterm operation of the museum, then we will create a museum that exceeds all expectations. A new museum that builds on the standards of excellence set by the smithsonian. But in the interim, the institution is committed to making every single Smithsonian Museum and program more inclusive and more representative of the nations population. It is, as you pointed out, crucially important that we recognize the smithsonians pressing infrastructure and collection space needs that demand our immediate and ongoing attention. We so appreciate the support of congress in the renovation of the national air and space museum. Just as important we are crateful for the ongoing support of maintenance needs throughout the institution. Regarding american womans History Museum legislation, both the house and the senate bills largely mirror the successful model employed by the National Museum of africanAmerican History and culture. Both bills call to construct the museum with 50 federal and require the smithsonian to raise 50 from nonfederal sources. Legislation has also been introduced coined to create a National Museum of the americanlatino in order to showcase the life, art, history and culture of americanlatinos and their contribution to the United States. This legislation also follows the model of a National Museum. While i do have are experience with private fundraising, it is simply impossible to pursue projects of this magnitude without explicit appropriations of federal funding for projects at the very genesis. If authorized and funded by congress, wed be honored to add these museums to the smithsonian family. As Congress Makes these deliberations, we will work diligently to tell a broader, more complete story with our resources. An example of this desire is our american womens History Initiative because of her story, which was launched in 2018. Because of her story represents a paradigm shift, it allows the entire smithsonian to wrestle with how issues of gender have shaped the American Experience. We are grateful to congress for this support. We are also so proud to be able to unveil in the fall of 2021 the first gallery to explore latino culture to open on the national mall. And weve worked very hard to make sure that the smithsonian Asian Pacific center, which was served to include the Asian Pacific americans, continues to research, build collections, do exhibitions and programs. They, too, are also fundraising for the first gallery dedicated to them. Our work to increase knowledge is never ending. The institution has been conducting groundbreaking research in science and marine and terrestrial environment and reproducing our on animals from around the world in their national habitat. Ultimately what i want to do is say that museums are more important now than ever because of their ability to serve as trusted sources of information. We want the people to see the smithsonian as a tool to help them understand their universe, their history and our shaped future no rd to live better lives. Its incumbent upon us as an institution to be a more universal resource, ones that earns the american Peoples Trust and leverages our great convening power to increase our relevance. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify. Im happy to answer any and all questions. Thank you very much. Now well hear from you, miss helm. Yes, chairman lofgren, Ranking Member davis and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss the role of the office of Inspector General and the oversight of the smithsoni smithsonian. As you know, oigs mission is to promote the efficiency, effectiveness and integrity of smithsonians programs and operati