Transcripts For CSPAN3 Smithsonian 20240704

Word. From the capitol to wherever you are. The opinion that matters the most is your own. Cspan, powered by cable. Now, the Smithsonian Institution secretary showcases the collection at an oversight hearing held by the house of menstruation committee. Artifacts on display include an original 1990 wisconsin cheese head, a watch belonging to the former first Lady Mary Todd lincoln and pins from the Suffrage Movement. They also focus on efforts to bring pandas back to the national zoo, in the process of choosing which exhibits to put on display. This is just over one hour. H. The committee of House Administration will come to order. I note that a quorum is present. Without objection the chair may declare recess at any time. The committee on House Administration will come to order. I note that a quorum is present. Also, without objection the meeting record will remain open for five legislative days so materials may be submitted therein. Thank you members of the committee and the secretary for joining us for todays hearing. The Smithsonian Institution is the Worlds Largest educational complex comprised of museums, educational resources, and research services. Founded in 1846, it preserves our heritage while sharing knowledge with the world. Each year millions of americans visit the Smithsonian Museum join the educational opportunities. With 21 museums and roughly 137 million objects in its collection, visitors have an abundance of history and heritage to explore. The smithsonian receives 1. 41 billion from the federal government in the last fiscal year. Two thirds of its total budget and employs over 4000 employees. Today the committee on House Administration charged with conducting oversight of the institution will discuss the operations and longterm goals. It has been three years since the committee has held a wide ranging oversight hearing of the smithsonian and on a variety of issues they have come up over time. They have frequently been in the news on hot button cultural topics from panda diplomacy to museum repatriation policies. We have seen the smithsonian in a handful of headlines. The committee will explore how the materials reflect americas diverse diversity of opinions. As a taxpayerfunded institution they must ensure work is not politically partisan or biased. Our job is to ensure that the smithsonian is acting as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. The committee will also explore two new museums that congress has authorized in the vision for these facilities. In 2020, congress authorized the american latino and smithsonian womens history museum. While the final decision for placement of these museums looms, the smithsonians strategic strategic requests outline a robust and complex enterprise, but do not articulate a longterm strategy yet for the two new museums. Without a clear longterm strategy, the museums may find it hard to balance longterm visions with the mundane daily operations that are critical for success. This will examine the dayto day operations of the smithsonian while also looking to its longterm goals. As chairman i am committed to ensuring that institutions are working in the best interest of the american people. Mr. Secretary, i appreciate you being with us today and i look forward to our discussion. In particular, look forward to hearing more about what im told is the original cheese head and after a loss of the Green Bay Packers last night to give the Opening Statement. Thank you, mr. Chairman for this hearing. You probably appreciate the giants play in new jersey and the packers play in wisconsin. But i appreciate you being here. Were really grateful to the chairman for convening it. And this providing an oversight in what i think is the crowning jewel of america. The smithsonian. Thank you mr. Secretary for being here as our witness. As the chairman said, since the founding of the 175 years ago the smithsonian has become the most visited Museum Complex on the planet. It has grown to 21 museums, library system, network of hundreds of affiliates and a national zoo. As one of the four institutes, the smithsonian is a head in the sciences. As we fspeak, smithsonian scientists are looking at an asteroid. Its truly remarkable that were anable to do it. A bit closer to home, were all sad to say goodbye to the National Zoos giant pandas. America should take solace knowing the experts observations has played a significant role in moving giant pandas off the endangered list. I requested from you mr. Secretary the smithsonians allegations of misconduct. The conduct described is completely unacceptable. Im completely thankful for the secretarys report and look forward to continued updates this morning. In addition while i am thrilled congress authorized the museum of the american l atino museum, the house was amended to make the law conflict with itself after the house passed legislation declaring congresss intent that the museum be on the National Mall and the mall be considered. The language expressing Congress Intent and requiring a site of the mall be considered stayed in the bill. So were hoping we can work together. Im interested in developing exhibitions on these museums. Im interested how the smithsonian maintains cultural. Im eager for eager for the smithsonians efforts to write a revolting wrong of museums removing the brains of black and Indigenous Peoples to study them ewithout the permission of their families. Im looking on renovations to the air and space museum. My all Time Favorite place in the world. Status of cthe deferred maintenance backlog and answerst taking to protect the collections against the effects of Climate Change. So again, mr. Secretary thank you for not only being here today but for your continued Public Service to the country. With that i yield back. The chairman yields back. Pursuant to paragraph b, the witness will please stand and raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear and affirm that your statement is the truth and nothing but the truth. Secretary lonnie bunch assumed the role as the 13th secretary of the smithsonian in 2019. As a secretary mr. Bunch oversees 21 museums, 21 libraries, the national zoo, Numerous Research centers and several educational units and centers. Previously mr. Bunch served as the founding director of africanamerican history and culture. Secretary bunch we appreciate you being here today and your testimony. We have read your written statement and will appear in full in the record. Under committee nine, please remember to turn on your microphone so that members can hear you. I onow recognize you secretary bunch for five minutes. Thank you very much for the opportunity to testify today. I hope you do take some time to see the amazing artificials. The first cheese head, to look at some of the pins that were given for the Suffrage Movement. I want to make sure you spend some time looking at that today. But since i i became secretary 2019, i have been impressed and gratified by the support of congress, the administration of the american public. At the smithsonian we seek to maintain. Goals is to reach every home and every classroom in the country. Sharing our content to celebrate our achievements and help us grapple with issues. All of which helps us come together and to work toward a better shared future. Our Educational Programming is becoming more crystallized and we examine strategic collaborations with organizations like the 4h club, boys and girls club of america and pbs. We are hosting students to washington for facilitated learning experiences with smithsonian educators centered around civic engagement. At the same time were bringing our content to others through these partnerships. Were currently developing a Pilot Program focusing on civics and history which we hope to take nationwide in 2026. Our world class scientific endeavors also continue. With efforts as varied as helping the first imagine, capturing the first imagine of a black hole to running a century long reforestation process. To the american people. Its work that can only happen at the smithsonian. And its work that researchers around the world rely upon. Im excited about what lies ahead for the Worlds Largest museum, education and research complex. The nations 250th nlanniversar will be launching point for the transformation of the smithsonian into a institution that better meets the needs of the nation. That pivotal event will only serve where weve been and nibble and more reliable institution proving plthat the smithsonian matters tomorrow, today and every day all across the country. We have programming that will both celebrate and contemplate as a nation and the smithsonians placement. And we will invite americans to find ways of moving Forward Together in our shared future. The renovationed air and space museum should be fully open to the public in time for the commemoration. Ive asked the staff to open temporary opening of the castle. The world is rapidly changing and with it so are the needs and expectations of the american people. As we nslook ahead to the next 250 years, the smithsonian will need to adapt. We want to be called more digital institution that uses tools like ai in a responsible way. We want to provide resources to help communities understand challenges like the challenge of Climate Change. We must help our citizens become more engaged and help them become better informed and have civil discourse on important topics that affect us all. And building the Smithsonian American History Museum and the museum of the american latino will help us tell a more advanced american story. They will only represent a fraction of the institutions transformation for years to come. With your support, we will build on our resources, our expertise and our trust. We will restore our aging facilities while creating new ones. We will take advantage of technology and partnerships to reach more people than ever. And we will chart a new course. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify today and i will answer any questions you may have. I recognize myself for five minutes. In particular, balancing the backlog. Inside of that is the smithsonian request for funding to congress it seems that its only half of the broader recommended range of 2 to 4 of the physical plants aggregate value. Meaning are we falling further behind on deferred maintenance if we fulfill the smithsonians request. The plan would be that we want to make sure that we can utilize all the resources you give us. And part of what im trying to do now is be more strategic in terms of how we utilize our capital budgets as well as our building budgets. Thrafrp weve done things when we the af have redone the air and space museum its allowed us to reduce our current backlogs. I think the reality is we need the support that you will give us in any dollars that you give us we do use toward building to make sure we handle the backlog as e effectively as we can. Its the amount of funds requested sufficient to not fall further behind in the backlog. Do you feel thats the sufficient amount to not fall behind. I think it will help us move forward. And i think it will phelp us move forward in the future. We have two museums that will helping move. As we look at that, the broader focus here on the Strategic Planning and your efforts to bring that forward in whether or not were prepared to move that forward. Could you give color as where youre at in the further Strategic Planning process for the two new museums in particular. The challenge with the two new museums are avwe have to ma sure that we have to get the Site Selection resolved. Theres very little we can do without the Site Selection. We have been very successful with fund raising and we have raised over 60 million for each museum already. But that will really only grow once we can point toward heres where these museums would be. Part of what weve done though is recognize that, we dont want to wait until these museums are up. There may be 10, 12 years away. So weve bialready begun to do things like more online work. To give people that history about women or about the latino community. Weve also created a new latino exhibition gallery that will allow us to demonstrate to the public. Here are the stories we can tell and get people excited about it. The bottom line is that, we are ready to move forward. Were going to need however more support to be able to build the staffs for those museums, to be able to make sure that we can get the ultimate decision about sight. We are able to as we build the new museums we are getting funds for ac and things we usually have to ask funds for. In the time that ive left, my nieces and nephews out to dc recently, they got to see the pandas before they departed. I can tell you for our kids, loved the pandas. But as we dive in and we think about whats called panda diplomacy if you will, theres a policy side to this as well. One is, as i understand it the national zoo paid china 10 million to loan the giant pandas for 10 years, is that accurate . Thats correct. That loan was extended throughout that Time Beginning from 2000 through this year. We extend every year. Is there a extended effort to bring the pandas back. Negotiation. We would love to have the pandas iaback. We would love to get that negotiation with china. Do you have policies in place during the negotiation. We do, we want to make sure that the staff recognizes this is really about the science and the pandas and not basically compromise our status in working with the chinese. Thank you very much. I now will recognize the Ranking Member for inthe purpos of asking questions. Thank you mr. Chairman and again thank you mr. Secretary for tbeing here. I do want to in just the few minutes i have. I do want to as i mentioned in my testimony just focus for a moment, or two on the smithsonians past process of taking human brains from deceased black and indigenous bodies in af without consent. You mentioned the formation of the Human Remains Task force which has been tasked with returning the best way to for human remains. Whether or not theyre represents from those impacted commune tips communities are part of the task force. Can you give us a time when you think those will be and given the time line and the task before you. Like you i was very upset when i learned about these human remains and my goal was very quickly, to really have a new policy that allows us to understand how we can return remains. What kind of research we should still to. Therefor i put together a committee of people, the best scholars, some community people. Both internal and external to the smithsonian issues. To help us think this through. Whats the difference between human remains if they have consent versus that we didnt have consent. How do we return these human remains. How do we work with communities. The work is to frget this repor and use the report to reshape the smithsonian policies. My goal would be that over the next year we will be able to form the policies, understand what the resources are needed to return material and also to be clear if were doing any research heres the limit. Heres whats possible and heres what were not going to do. Thank you, thats important. Consent would be a big part of that. Im assuming that would be a minimum to their demise and family members be at least aware of or if its posthumously that the family would give consent. Going forward d i would love to continue to be kept abreast of your efforts over the next year. How are you dealing with the, i dont know how many remains you still have, i know some had been returned but i think a relatively small number and i think the amount, the number was well in excess of 200 brains and human remains that you said. I just wonder what the status of repatriation is. Theres probably over 20,000 remains in the smithsonian. Oh, wow. Most are of native american. Bum were also now looking at other communities. And what were doing is by this task force, help me understand what we need to put in place to return that material. The material that we ldo not have consent for we should really work toward either returning or reburying this material. We need to get what it takes to do all of that and this task force will move that forward. Your expectation on when that will be done. I expect to get the report in the next week or two. I want to use the next six months of the year figuring out what were going to do. What policies get changed. What are the financial needs to do this. And begin to move forward on returning materials. Got you. Thank you for that. I look forward to continue being updated with that. I want to switch topics with the last minute i have. I know you expressed your support for building both the latino and women museum on the arlington on the National Mall, let us know why you think it should be there rather than a different location. The National Mall ensuring they get the visitation they deserve. That millions of people will come and wrestle with questions they want in their hometowns. So we want people to do this. I think its really important that we build these museums on the mall so that they can be symbols of america for the world to see. Very good. I, wthank you mr. Chair. I yield back my time. The gentleman yields back. Thank you mr. Chairman, secretary bunch good to see you again. Appreciate you what said about the american story. Its very important that we preserve the history and heritage of our nation. One of those is First Amendment right comes up quite often these days. The First Amendment doesnt exist to only protect the speech youre comfortable with but the things youre uncomfortable with. And brings me to one of my favorite museums that you have as an air force veteran, aviator and aviation enthusiasm and its one of the closest museums to capitol hill which is one that i tend to visit frequently especially when you do the movie nights with the imax. I think theres a lot of great things that goes on there. You had to settle a lawsuit that was filed against the museum when students were kicked out for wearing prolife hats. It was a huge concern. Still a large concern. Especially when you talk about the american story. These young people have their rights to express their political beliefs as well. Now, weve been assured that this was a mistake on part of the security guards being misinformed but is this reflective of a broader bias by the smithsonian or was this an isolated incident . This is clearly an isolated incident. Because think about that day the march lifor life there were hundreds of people that went to different parts of the smithsonian and were accepted no problem at all. It was a mistake where we have a policy that says you cannot bring ain posters and placards this was a mistake and i think weve corrected it and we havent had a problem since that morning. Are there any other problems other than the one you just outlined. Increased training and better communication . I think sums it up. Thats whats really important to make sure that works. Then we test to make sure i get a briefing after every demonstration. Anything happens. Were on this as part of the process of improving the smithsonian communications. Even if there was a demonstration someone shows up a life matter shirt. Yeah, no problem. Moving on to another subject in 2022. Smithsonian hosted an annual rp event annual event on cultural content and Capacity Development programs. It opens questions on why a foreign nation would be allowed to host an american story festival. And what if any influence uae had on curitorial decisions. U. S. Intelligence officials had compiled a report on the uaes attempts to influence american politics. My question is does the smithsonian accept funding from foreign nations to fund events. We do a Domestic Program and international program. We make sure that support has nothing to do with content, theyre not involved in the decisions about what is actually shown. It really is a support to bring performers, and scholars over. But were very clear that money from anyone really does not get to tell the smithsonian what the interpretations, what the work that were trying to do. So what policies do you have in place or programs in place to ensure that foreign, that Foreign Investment twill not influence in one way or the other what you display or what goes in the museums or what you highlight. We have written policies to do that. We also have several opportunities to vet these things. So that when issues are brought forward at a festival for example, first its the responsible of the festival director to make sure his or her staff are following the rules. Then we bring it up to a higher level within the Central Administration that we make sure that there arent those moments. Really reshapes the kind of work we want to tdo. Thank you, i yield back. The gentleman yields back. As a daughter of lifelong educators im committed to do the work to ensure we preserve, protect and tell the complicated story of our nation. Every day visitors from across the world come to the nations capitol to explore events that shape america. You mentioned one of the goals you had in the 15 Year Strategic Plan for the smithsonian is to increase their reach in education, scholarship and Scientific Research because i know that you believe as i do that, every home and every classroom should take the advantage of understanding and knowing our Great American history. I also believe that knowledge should be accessible for everyone. Not just those who can afford to come to the nations capitol. This is why im excited that the Alabama Humanities Alliance and the Smithsonian Museum on main Street Program collaborated to host a traveling exhibit called cross roads, change in rural america. The exhibit explored ways that Rural Communities have evolved over the 20th century in fact, one of the five stops along the way was the selma to montgomery trail which has been a project t of mine from the moment i got into congress. This exhibit highlights the black belt of which selma is considered the queen city. You have many chapters that have had an opportunity to really play a role. Since 1997, the Alabama Humanities Alliance has partner with the Smithsonian Museum to bring 11 exhibits to alabama and it covered 16 communities throughout our state. I want to phoeupbt out those and make sure you carve out those exhibits so they can travel throughout america. You mentioned several ways in which youve tried to expand the smithsonians reach both through high tech, digitalization. Another way the smithsonian reaches more people is through the affiliates. And a phenomenal teaching experience for those of us who live in birmingham. How do you think affiliate from the smithsonians central. I also want to get to the importance of your curated independence. When git comes to your curations. I think it gets to my friends foreign influence i would also suggest you have independence in telling the story so that we get the full story and not justt part of a story. So can you start with the Affiliation Program and then talk about what your definition of curated independence is. I am convinced that the smithsonian really has to have relationships in Rural Communities throughout the United States. Were looking at resources to do that. Some are digital of course. Others are inexpensive traveling exhibitions that can be in many parts of the country. We also want to bring more of our staff, making presentationsg that i basically created a Rural Initiative to ajsay the smithsonian needs to make sure that its paying attention and learning from Rural Communities. So making sure the smithsonian is beyond washington is one of my mayor commitments. The other point you touched on is really important to me as a former curator is the smithsonians greatest strength is its opportunity to bring the best thinking from around the world to shape what the smithsonian does. And there are always disagreements over the subjects we explore. The interpretations but the smithsonian is never a place that is really about from the left or the right. Its really a place that says what is the best scholarship. What are the things we can explore. That meanings there are times were going to raise issues that not everybody is excited about or understand. But i think the great strength of the smithsonian is that its job in some ways is to use our scholarship to defy reality and give hope. I think thats what we do when we have the independence to do the work we try to do. Well congratulations on your tenure so far and we look forward to your continued success. Thank you. Gentlewoman yields back. Thank you secretary. I truly appreciate it in your opening when you said you wanted to explore all corners of our complex history. I think thats when it gets dicey. I think the affiliate is very important, mrs. Sewell mentioned it. We have the birthplace of Country Music which is also an affiliate. Giving eanother rural view of history. Its important we study all of these. Youre planning for our countrys anniversary. I assume your pillars, digital, nimble, trusted source, science, and education will be critical in guiding those efforts, am i correct in that. Thats absolutely right. Yeah. And as a part of that complex history nkin all corners, and theres certainly things we can highlight that are not possible. Im certain that for the anniversary you will be depicting of our nations founding and contributions. Not perfect. We need to focus on that. But as guide posts for the world as we move to a better world not sagain not just here, but worldwide. Can you share someover soyour thoughts on that and where youre going with that 250th anniversary and what you plan to highlight. I believe that its crucially important for the smithsonian to be part of the glue that helps hold the country together. Part of that is really celebrating our history. Is exploring the fact that the Founding Fathers and mothers, the founding documents shape not just who we are but who the world is. So we want to be able to celebrate that. We also want to be able to talk about america as a work in progress. That what you see are many of those challenges moments that there are thpeople that are really trying to say how does america live up to those ideals. How does america really build on tthe declaration of the constitution. We want people to understand were going to celebrate a country. Were also going to commemorate. Because we want them to understand that by looking at the past. Looking at the full past it doesnt mean were running away from difficult things more does it mean were really being critical of the country were really saying is, america is a place that has changed over time. Part of that change has been trying to live up to those ideals. So we want to celebrate that by telling the full story of the country. Well and i do believe that what happened was exceptional not perfect but exceptional. And truly has changed the world. And d i think we should celebra it so i appreciate hearing those comments. I am going to switch to another topic. Can you talk about the research the smithsonian is currently working on. Oh my goodness. I know theres a lot. Lsfor me, its really great the space studies. The black hole, and space. I think we will be able to educate the public and help science do more. Im also really taken the kind of 100yearold study that helps us understand Climate Change and reforestation. In some ways what i think is wonderful about the smithsonian science is that it really is science but its also science contrectualized. What it means for culture. For me science has always been one of the pillars of the the smithsonian and im glad it is. Im glad and i really hope you all continue to do good work. What percentage of your budget is dedicated to pursuing Scientific Research . I would say that im not sure exactly the number but i would say at least a third. And, just because im curious because of my love of natural sciences. Do you use the creatures at the zoo to check into things like animal intelligence. Do you do research there . We do a lot of different kind of research. A lot of our work with the zoo is about animal conservation. The work with the pandas, theyre trying to make sure they were no helonger endangere we do a lot of work with cheetahs and a variety of animals. I think we do a lot on conservations and our research is used by those scientists on animal intelligence. In some ways the science is fundamental. The gentleman yields back. Mr. Murphy is recognized for five minutes. Thank you mr. Chairman, and thank you for coming and visiting with us today. Ive always been a great, great lover of museums. When i travel i will go a museum because im a lover of history. Im a lover of the human experience. A few months ago, i took my 26 yearold son, hes in nascar and we went over to look at some of the exhibits there and d its wonderful to see such joy that he had in a field that hes now fully immersed in. I will tell you i love my experience, but a couple of things bothered me there. You said earlier that you dont believe partisanship and everything. Let me ask you again. About partisanship. Where does that belong in our smithsonian. Bsmithsonian really is a place that shouldnt be partisan. Its a place thats driven by scholarship. That tdoesnt mean there arent interpretations that what bothered me. Stifferrened stiffened me up. That there was an exhibit on nixon. It wasnt a cartoon. It was something put up by staff that said, nasty nixon, boom, boom, boom. It took mel back. Took me back. Thats ainot the smithsonian i remember. A lot of partisanship. You guys have this wonderful exhibit praising the super czar dr. Fauci. Because the advice from dr. Fauci the nations leading epidemiologist rang true. We found out since that time that dr. Fauci lied. Theres pointblank evidence that he covered up the fact that the virus did come from the wuhan lab. I dont think hes a super star. I dont think he should be praised. Hes damaged the reputation of the institutes of medicine across this country. So this was something taken by the left praising somebody who actually lied to the country. So im hopeful that therell be some revision of whats gone t back and actually truth be told that he was praised but then he really was shown that he lied to further his own interest. Let me get Something Back to really, you know, i want you to succeed. Because i think when everybody talks about the smithsonian they talk about grateful. This is all something when you live as a kick, when you make the visit to to washington. You get into the air and space museum. When i saw this exhibit in 2020 that talked about whiteness, whiteness in 2020. Here we are, were trying to have a society that rather than having all these silos and then were being told youre imprivileged, youre this, youre that. Trying to pull things together. Partisan politics alis trying t divide us. This is baffling to me. This is in the smithsonian assumptions about white culture. It says rugged individualism, family structure, emphasis on scientific method. History, protestant work ethic, religion, no tolerance from deviation from a single god concept. This is absolute anti racial propaganda. Why iwould anything like this in the smithsonian institute. Now its my understanding, what i think youre seeing, i cant really see it. You should be very versed on this. You were usthe head of the smithsonian at the time. What it is, there is a document that is the whiteness document that was put up online that i took down immediately. Because i think it was flawed. I think its important for the smithsonian to grapple with questions on race. Im not going to run ape way from that. But i agree with you, that document is not what should be at the smithsonian and if it is, i pulled it down. How does that help us with race. Thats why i pulled it down. This is divisive. How is that helpful . I dont understand that. I wish someone icould explain that to me. I pulled that down. Its not white people, its not black people. Its not latino people. Were americans. I just, this just really, it hurts my heart. Because i think instead of us coming together in the last several years, we have formed more silos based upon the amount of melanin in our skin than has ever been seen in our history. It is pathetic that the, the bastion of history in our nation Smithsonian Institution is reinforcing those things. So im just sad about that. Thank you mr. Chairman. Ill yield back. The gentleman yields back. Mrs. Vice is recognized for five minutes. Thank you mr. Chairman and thank you secretary bunch for being with us this morning. In your Opening Statement you wrote that you believe we should be the smithsonian should be in every home and every classroom in the country. And you also said in your testimony a few minutes ago, that the smithsonian should never come from a place of left or right. Secretary, are you familiar, do you know the number of drag shows that the smithsonian has hosted in the last three years . No, ti dont. Six. And four of those were targeted at children. Going back to june 27th of 2020. An online event, at the American Art Museum listed under the kids and families category. A virtual drag queen story time, ruth brings fun for the whole family as she reads classic Nursery Rhymes and tales for children. June 5th, 21, june 6th, 21, a drag queen bingo night. Another event targeted at children. My question is this, how does hosting drag shows for children help the smithsonian achieve their mission of sparking curiosity by learning the connection, learn sorry, learning by connecting the knowledge, resources and expertise of the smithsonian with vital, cultural organizations. What culture is exposing children to overly sexual material appropriate. I think its not appropriate to expose children to drag shows. Im surprised and i will look into that. Thank you i appreciate that. The most recent one was, actually june 23, of 23. That was geared not to children at all is my understanding in new york city. How is that actually relevant to the education aspect. Even if its tnot to children, why are we talking about that issue . I think theres many other things that we should be looking at. And we are doing so much more. That is a small part of whatever we do. The reality is the smithsonian is trying to make sure that it embraces the totality of who we are as americans. But this is not the major part of what we do at all. Well, i appreciate that its not a major part, thankfully. I recognize that i think its certainly the targeting of children is completely inappropriate. I appreciate your opportunity to looking into that and look forward to a follow up. Let me ask one last question, were there any taxpayer funds that were paying. How does the smithsonian look at avoid engaging in progressive. What specific plans and initiatives youre looking forward to. The goal wof hethe Womens Museum is to explore the history of women by helping people recognize in new ways the names they know to find new stories that they dont know anything about. But to basically say that we want to use womens history as a lens, i understand what it means to be an american. I see it through the eyes of women. I think we are clear that as we move forward well hire scholars, curators and begin to develop what are the ideas we will explore. That is in the future. My goal is to recognize that we have to tell a broader story. But my goal is to make sure that, this is a story shaped by scholarship that helps us understand a story of women in this country. Do you believe that, they will, you will have some of these particular initiatives included in the potential exhibits that also reflect the Christian Community and the womens organizations that have sort of shaped, and you actually brought some items from the Suffrage Movement which i appreciate. Some of that was very much sort of a christian based focus. Do you plan on including this as well. Absolutely. The smithsonian will observe a diversity of opinions that in essence, one of the things the smithsonian has done is making sure the issues of religion are central. Maris robinson was the first woman to provide, sorry preside over the house of representatives. I hope she will be included. With that i yield. I want to thank the Ranking Member for having this hearing. Its a pleasure to be with you today. Im going to go into a couple of thing ps s, i know the Ranking Member. Chairman are you familiar with the arts and industry building. Yes, i am. What is that building currently being used for . The arts and industry building is my second favorite building. Its being used for activities and events right now. The challenge with the arts industry is when it was created in 1881 it was the state of the art museum. Unfortunately its not now. And that theres millions of dollars to turn that into a more formal museum. Let me ask you, were there any concrete plans for the museum in the next three to five years that you know of. At this stage weapon want at this stage we want to use the museum and were developing what those plans could be. One of the things, your staff has been great to work with. I actually got a tour of that facility. I have ndthree children, big ag difference. 22yearold and i have a l4ye old and 2yearold. So we came to, so they came to visit me here in dc with the 2 and 4yearold. It had been a while since i had been looking at Childrens Museums to be honest with you. I noticed we have a National Childrens museum but its currently roccupying that was federal building. Im actually the lead sponsor for the National Childrens museum act which is going to require gsa to pay the rent for that facility. But after going through that building i truly believe that would be a perfect location for a National Childrens museum. And i understand because of the windows, and i know theres a lot of, there was a remodel done in the 1940s that took some of the space and i know it would require a lot of work. I think the Childrens Museum is doing a fantastic job right mow. As you said, i think your point was really well clear. The National Mall is where people come gto learn about th american story. And i truly believe like you thats probably one of my favorite buildings on the mall. I think it would be a great way for our children to have a place to go and to learn. And you dont have to worry about Historical Documents and make this a more hands on type of museum. Not to mention, of course its located right in front of the carousel which i believe you guys just sent to my home state of ohio to be reserviced. I think it would be a wonderful location. Any thoughts on what it would take to remodel in terms of financing a facility of that nature to make it a Childrens Museum . I know im hitting you out of the blue on this. But just round about numbers. Its hard to get you exact numbers. We spent 100 million just to stabilize the room. I saw that. I think its millions of dollars to do this to make sure it can be used in any way for effectively for the public. I think if Congress Says to us, explore that question, we will. And i agree with you very much that theres nothing more powerful than a good Childrens Museum. I think as the smithsonian does great work with childrens spaces. We would love to help you talk about what is possible. I appreciate that mr. Secretary. I was very impressed and ive gone to a lot of Childrens Museums as you can imagine now. We have a wonderful facility in columbus called cosi. Its a hands on facility. I know indianapolis does a wonderful job. I think the one that we have here in dc with the limited funds that they have they do a remarkable job. But it was surprising to me that we dont have Something Like that at the mall. Just looking at the building. The ma majesty of that building. Can be utilized for teach our children. What is the deferred plan . The plan is to be much more strategic. To have an understanding of exactly what we have. I put a new system in place to do that. How we can make the most impact based on the capital money that weve been given to do this. I think that this is one of my number one priorities as you know, everybody has an aging building. Everybody has problems with wisconsin cheddar. He does yield back. Thank you mr. Secretary. So my mother and grandparents traveled from puerto rico to the United States in a pursuit of a better life. Something that i am deeply proud of and my familys story has been one of success. My mom came to states at the age of 1 with her Seven Brothers and sisters. The American Dream of hard work and the freedom to pursue Economic Opportunity has been fulfilled for Many American latinos and we want a museum that can proudly reflect this point of view and this journey. With that in mind, i am a little concerned with what ive read in the news. About the molina family gallery and the benefits it produces which some say depict hispanics as victims, army deserters, traitors and as people not fully invested in this great country and all it has to offer. I have many constituents back home and in new york and in the fourth Congressional District who are of latin american decent. Some of which fled this country inflicted by communist governments and insurgents. Is the National Museum of the american latino committed to telling what Latin Americans faced. There is no doubt that is our priority. The best way i can explain that to you. The molina gallery ought to be a testing place. It should be a series of eight or nine or 10 exhibitions so that we can get to the core of what we want to do. If you look at the example of the africanamerican museum you will find the same thing in the National Museum as in the national latino. So in the National Museum of the latino its written that the board of trustees is responsible for ensuring and i quote, this is the mission, the exhibits and programs of the museum reflect the diversity of the political viewpoints. Held by latinos of the United States on the events and issued related to the history of latinos in the United States of america. Does the smithsonian take this provision seriously . It is the most important thing we do to find the diversity of opinions and diversity of stories and i can assure you that museum will do just that. I mention this specific exhibit is a test. So as a former Museum Director yourself, how will you address concerns about political bias in exhibits. Part of it is by putting together a Diverse Group of scholars that will help shape what the museum will do. Ive created a process where we vet exhibitions, traditionally we vet exhibitions early in the process, conceptually. We look more concretely as exhibits. The artifacts you use. The words that are written. Were making sure the museum is telling the story from a nonpartisan point of view. I hope that continues. And i really hope that is the mission. Because i hedont believe that exhibits should be used as tests. I think we should vet them properly and make sure when the smithsonian which is an institution, people travel throughout the world to visit, and they should not be test cases, they should be tried and true and vetted so that you are living out the mission of what were supposed to be doing there. What i mean by test, its not that were just trying anything willy nilly its to see how the public engages around certain exhibits. Thats what i did with the africanamerican museum. Here is where people engage, here is what we need to do better. Thats a tool to make sure that we make that museum what we want it to be when it opens. Weve concluded our formal questions here secretary bunch. In consultation with the Ranking Member. We know you brought five items out of a collection of 137 million items and one of them of course has caught my attention because im told its the original cheese head. I would love ndto yield you fiv minutes, or more if you need, just so you can walk through the five unique items you brought before us. Because the history and the richness that the Smithsonian Institution has in its collection, is just so incredibly unique. If you will, we will give you a few minutes just to describe the five items before us. The smithsonian has 155 million objects in its collection. I think the wisconsin cheese head from 1990, crucially important because it really is a symbol of wisconsin. Its a symbol of the Green Bay Packers. Which my giants defeated. But, what it is, it is really an example of the i did consider declaring my time at that moment. But continue. Thats really important. Here what you have is an m1 helmet. This was really used by a puerto rican brigade who valor from fighting in the korean war. And we wanted to tell that story. These are jail for freedom pendants. Which is about women suffrage. These are pins to commemorate that. We e also have a Mary Todd Lincoln kennedy assassination watch. This was given to her as a way to make sure she kept abe lincoln close. We have an array of things. There were moments of real terror and moments of boredom. And many of the soldiers created art. This was a piece created out of shells that is in a shape of a book that was really used to store material. But again it just demonstrates the array of things that are part of the smithsonian collections. To say to you that any time you want to come and have me give you my tour of the smithsonian collections, please let me know. We thank you. Maybe the Ranking Member and i can take you up on that. It is a cherished institution. Its one that noted by all ofl our members that we enjoy being able to visit. We appreciate your testimony here today and for you joining us. Members of the committee, may have some additional questions for tyou. We ask that you answer to those questions. Without objection each member will have five additional days to revise and extend their remarks. If theres no further business, we thank the members for their participation. Without objection, the meeting stands adjourned. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]ut 25