____________________________

1 Participated in the afternoon session only

2 Participated in the lunch presentation only

3 Participated in the accessibility discussion only

 MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 28, 2019, MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

ATTENDANCE

This scheduled meeting of the Board of Regents (“Board”) of the Smithsonian Institution (“Smithsonian”) 

was held on Monday, January 28, 2019. The Board conducted morning, afternoon, and executive 

sessions at Capital Gallery in Washington, D.C. Board Chair David M. Rubenstein welcomed Regents and 

staff and called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Also present were Regents:

The Chief Justice1

Senator John Boozman

Senator Patrick J. Leahy

Representative Doris Matsui

Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard

Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett

Steve Case, Vice Chair

John Fahey

Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.

Michael Govan

Risa J. Lavizzo-Mourey

Michael Lynton

John W. McCarter, Jr.

Robert MacDonald, Smithsonian National Board Chair

Christine Udvar-Hazy, Advancement Committee Chair

The Vice President, Senator David Perdue, and Representative Tom Cole did not attend the meeting. 

Smithsonian and Regent staff present by invitation of the Board were: 

David J. Skorton, Secretary

Greg Bettwy, Chief of Staff to the Secretary

Victor Castillo, Office of Representative RoybalAllard

Lisa J. Damon,2 Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP

John Davis, Provost/Under Secretary for Museums, 

Education, and Research

Farleigh Earhart,2,3 Associate General Counsel 

Kate Forester, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Regents

Mallory Gianola, Special Assistant to the Regents

Lauren Hancock, Office of Senator Perdue

Cathy Helm, Inspector General

Toni-Marie Higgins, Office of Senator Boozman

Albert Horvath, Under Secretary for Finance & 

Administration/Chief Operating Officer 

Cheryl Johnson, Director of Government Relations

Judith Leonard, General Counsel 

Laura J. Maechtlen,2 Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP 

Brenda Richardson Malone,2 Director of the Office 

of Human Resources

Julissa Marenco, Assistant Secretary for 

Communications & External Affairs

Mike McCarthy, Deputy Under Secretary for 

Finance & Administration

Era Marshall, Director for the Office of Equal 

Employment and Minority Affairs

Kevin McDonald, Senior Adviser to Senator Leahy

Jeffrey P. Minear, Counselor to the Chief Justice

Robert J. Spiller, Assistant Secretary for 

Advancement 

Kyle Victor, Office of Representative Matsui

Beth Ziebarth,3Director of Accessibility
2

MORNING SESSION

Search Process for 14th

Secretary of the 

Smithsonian

2019 Senior Executive 

Compensation

2019 Committee 

Chairmanships and 

Memberships

EXECUTIVE SESSION: SEARCH PROCESS FOR 14TH SECRETARY OF 

THE SMITHSONIAN

The meeting of the Board of Regents began with an executive session. Board and 

Executive Committee Chair David Rubenstein led the Board’s discussion on the 

search process for the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian, following Secretary 

Skorton’s announcement that he will leave his post as Secretary in June 2019.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND 

HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Compensation and Human Resources Committee Chair John Fahey led the 

Board’s annual discussion of senior executive compensation decisions. The Board 

also reviewed the Secretary’s annual performance appraisal for fiscal year 2018

and proposed 2019 compensation. Upon motions duly made and seconded, the 

Board voted to approve the Compensation and Human Resources Committee’s 

compensation recommendations for senior executive positions and the Secretary. 

See attached Actions 2019.01.01–2019.01.02 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, 

Appendix A).

EXECUTIVE SESSION: 2019 COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIPS AND 

MEMBERSHIPS

Governance and Nominating Committee Chair Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett 

presented one action item for the Board’s consideration: the 2019 Regent 

committee chairmanships and memberships. By tradition, Citizen Regents 

typically serve on three Regent committees and chair at least one committee, and 

Congressional Regents are assigned to two committees. Ambassador Barrett 

noted that members and chairs would serve in their roles until January 2020. 

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted to approve the proposed 

committee assignments and chairmanships and recommended that the 

Chancellor make the necessary appointments.

See attached Actions 2019.01.03 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).
3

Search Process for Chief 

Operating Officer and 

Personnel Matters

Smithsonian Channel 

Update

Welcome

Recognition of 

Congressional Regents

Departure and 

Recognition of Al 

Horvath

Naming Recognition for 

Smithsonian Tropical 

Research Institute

EXECUTIVE SESSION: SEARCH PROCESS FOR CHIEF OPERATING 

OFFICER AND PERSONNEL MATTERS

The Board continued the executive session, and invited the Secretary to brief the 

Board on personnel matters and the search process for the Smithsonian’s next 

Chief Operating Officer, following the departure of Al Horvath on January 30, 

2019.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL UPDATE

Under Secretary for Finance and Administration/Chief Operating Officer Al 

Horvath and Deputy Under Secretary for Finance and Administration Mike 

McCarthy joined the Board’s executive session to provide an update on the 

Smithsonian Channel. 

The executive session adjourned at 9:57 a.m.

OPEN SESSION

Smithsonian and Regent staff members entered the room and the meeting 

reconvened. Mr. Rubenstein called the open session to order at 10:02 a.m.

REPORT OF THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Mr. Rubenstein began his report by welcoming Representative Lucille RoybalAllard of California to her first Smithsonian Board of Regents meeting. Mr. 

Rubenstein asked staff and Smithsonian liaisons in attendance to introduce 

themselves for the benefit of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard.

Next, Mr. Rubenstein recognized the final meeting of Under Secretary for Finance 

and Administration/Chief Operating Officer Al Horvath. Mr. Horvath joined the 

Smithsonian executive team in 2011, and successfully oversaw the facilities, 

information technology, human resources, security, financial, and administrative 

operations teams during his tenure. Mr. Rubenstein expressed the Board’s 

appreciation for Mr. Horvath’s leadership and service to the Smithsonian.

Mr. Rubenstein presented one item of business for the full Board’s consideration: 

the proposed naming of the Anthony G. Coates Dining Hall at the Smithsonian 

Tropical Research Institute. The Board of Regents is responsible for approving 

naming recognition of facilities and spaces. Upon motion duly made and 

seconded, the Board voted to recognize the contributions of Anthony G. Coates 

to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and name the Anthony G. Coates 

Dining Hall.

See attached Actions 2019.01.04 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).
4

Executive Committee 

Approvals

April Strategic Meeting 

Planning

Consent Agenda

Questions on Written 

Committee Reports

Report of the 

Advancement 

Committee

The Board was briefed on the recent work of the Executive Committee, which 

voted to approve one philanthropic gift to the National Air and Space Museum. 

The Committee was asked to vote on behalf of the full Board so that the museum 

could publicly announce and recognize the donor at Apollo 50 programs taking 

place in December, prior to the Board meeting on January 28, 2019.

Lastly, Mr. Rubenstein updated the Board on current plans for the Regents’ 

annual strategic meeting, which is scheduled for April 8, 2019. The April 2019 

meeting will focus on the Smithsonian’s two iconic buildings – the Arts and 

Industries Building and the Smithsonian Institution Building (“Castle”). 

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

The Consent Agenda (“Agenda”) was presented for the Board’s approval. Action 

items listed on the January 28, 2019, Agenda include: recognition of George H.W. 

Bush; recognition of Regent Emeritus Jeannine Smith Clark; the approval of 

minutes from the October 22, 2018, Regents’ meeting; the appointment and 

reappointment of candidates to 15 Smithsonian Advisory Boards; amendments to 

the Bylaws of the Asian Pacific American Center Advisory Board; amendments to 

the Bylaws of the National Museum of African Art Advisory Board; amendments 

to the Bylaws of the National Museum of the American Indian Board of Trustees; 

and gifts and naming recognitions. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the 

Board voted to adopt the Agenda, constituting the approval of all action items 

listed therein.

See attached Actions 2018.01.05 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

QUESTIONS ON WRITTEN COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Rubenstein provided an opportunity for Regent committee chairs and 

Smithsonian staff to answer questions on the written reports distributed in 

advance of the meeting by the Advancement Committee; Audit and Review 

Committee; Investment Committee; Strategy, Innovation, and Technology 

Committee; Smithsonian National Board; and Office of Government Relations.

Written Report of the Advancement Committee

The Advancement Committee held a teleconference meeting on January 9, 2019. 

During the meeting, the Committee voted to recommend two gift actions and two 

administrative actions to the Board of Regents. The Committee also discussed 

initial recommendations to better position the Institution to accept gifts of illiquid 

assets. The Committee received updates from the Assistant Secretary for 

Advancement on the progress of fiscal year 2019 fundraising and reviewed 

notable gifts and grants. 
5

Report of the Audit and 

Review Committee

Report of the 

Investment Committee

Report of the Strategy, 

Innovation, and 

Technology Committee

Report of the 

Smithsonian National 

Board

Congressional Briefings

and Meetings

Written Report of the Audit and Review Committee

The Audit and Review Committee met on January 8, 2019. During the meeting, 

the Committee provided pre-approval for the Smithsonian’s external auditor, 

KPMG, to prepare and submit the Smithsonian’s 2018 Form 990 and 990-T and 

Smithsonian Enterprises’ Certified Sales Report to the Internal Revenue Service. 

The Committee also reviewed the results of the fiscal year 2018 audit and federal 

closing package. The Committee was briefed on the Inspector General’s activities

and discussed the Smithsonian’s information security program and operations. 

Written Report of the Investment Committee

The Investment Committee met on October 17, 2018, and reviewed the 

Investment Portfolio, Investment Process, and Portfolio Implementation and 

Operations. The Smithsonian Endowment’s preliminary performance as of June 

30, 2018, over the one-year, three-year, five-year, and ten-year periods, 

generated returns against the policy benchmark of 13.1% versus 8.4%, 7.9% 

versus 5.2%, 9.0% versus 5.7%, and 6.5% versus 3.9%, respectively. Against the 

final report of Cambridge Associates peer universe, the Smithsonian was ranked 

in the top decile for the trailing one and three-year periods.

Written Report of the Strategy, Innovation, and Technology

Committee 

The Strategy, Innovation, and Technology Committee met on December 3, 2018. 

During the meeting the Committee reviewed the report of the Provost and 

exhibition calendar, received an update on the Smithsonian Year of Music, and 

performed its annual review of the Committee Charter.

Written Report of the Smithsonian National Board

The Smithsonian National Board held its fall meeting from October 25-27, 2018, in 

Washington, D.C. The meeting focused on the pan-Institutional initiative 

Smithsonian Conservation Commons, with emphasis on the role leadership 

volunteers can play in advocating for the Smithsonian as a global conservation 

leader. Members shared recommendations for bolstering and amplifying the 

Smithsonian’s role as a leading scientific institution and promoting the 

Smithsonian’s extensive scientific research in conservation. 

Written Report of the Office of Government Relations

The Office of Government Relations (“OGR”) reported on two congressional 

briefings. Smithsonian staff from OGR coordinated a series of briefings with the 

Office of Protection Services, the Office of Human Resources, the Office of the 

Chief Information Officer, and the Senate Rules Committee on the most recent 

reports issued by the Smithsonian Office of the Inspector General on information 
6

Congressional 

Engagement

Departure of OGR 

Director

Report of the Facilities 

Committee

security, background investigations processes, and training for the Office of 

Protection Services.

In addition, OGR hosted conversations with members of Congress, the House 

Committee on Natural Resources, and the Senate Rules Committee regarding the 

National Native American Veterans Memorial at the National Museum of the 

American Indian. The briefings focused on the legislation establishing the

memorial, which specifically addresses Native American Veterans of the “Armed 

Forces of the United States” typically defined as the Army, Navy, Marines Corp, 

Air Force, and Coast Guard.

OGR has continued congressional engagement, hosting and participating in a 

number of programs and events. On November 28, 2018, the Smithsonian hosted 

a new member welcome breakfast for more than 60 Congressional Memberselect and their guests at the National Museum of American History. The event 

featured a traditional American Indian welcome and enabled guests to explore 

the American Democracy and The Star Spangled Banner exhibitions.

OGR also facilitated the participation of 17 members of Congress, including 

Regent Representatives Tom Cole and Doris Matsui, as honorary co-chairs of the 

2018 American Ingenuity Awards event. The event was hosted by Smithsonian 

Magazine on December 5, 2018, and celebrates individuals in nine categories, 

who have had a revolutionary effect on how we perceive the world and how we 

live in it.

On December 28, 2018, Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi appointed Smithsonian 

Office of Government Relations Director Cheryl Johnson as the new Clerk of the 

House of Representatives. On January 3, 2018, she was nominated on the floor 

and affirmed to be the 35th person to hold the office of the Clerk.

REPORT OF THE FACILITIES COMMITTEE

Facilities Committee Chair John McCarter presented the Committee’s report. The 

Board was charged with approving the Secretary’s request for authority to 

execute a lease extension for approximately 133,984 rentable square feet of 

administrative office, collections, and storage space for continued occupancy by 

the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art, National Portrait Gallery, American 

Art Museum, and Smithsonian Institution Libraries at the Victor Building. The 

current lease expires on October 31, 2020. Upon motion duly made and 

seconded, the Board voted to approve the proposed five-year lease extension.

See attached Actions 2019.01.06 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).
7

Report of the Finance 

Committee

Special Events Policy

Impact of Government 

Shutdown on 

Smithsonian

American Women’s 

History Initiative

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

Chair of the Finance Committee John Fahey gave the Committee’s report and 

presented one action item for the Board’s consideration: approval of the fiscal 

year 2020 federal budget submission to Congress. The Smithsonian will submit to 

Congress a total budget request for fiscal year 2020 of $978.3 million. The 

Smithsonian’s requested budget includes $759.3 million for Salaries and 

Expenses, and $219 million for Facilities Capital. Upon motion duly made and 

seconded, the Board approved the Smithsonian’s fiscal year 2020 federal budget 

request to Congress. 

See attached Actions 2019.01.07 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

The Secretary updated the Board on revisions to the Smithsonian’s special events 

policy. Following discussion of the policy with the Regents in January 2018, 

Secretary Skorton and his team analyzed potential modifications to the policy. 

The proposed policy permits rental of Smithsonian facilities rather than cosponsored private events, to better reflect the intentions and roles of the 

Smithsonian and the outside organizations and individuals hosting their own

events in Smithsonian spaces. Under the new policy, unit directors will have the 

discretion to allow a wider variety of private events in museum spaces.

Next, the Secretary turned to Deputy Under Secretary for Finance and

Administration Mike McCarthy to brief the Board on the impacts of the 

government shutdown, which began on December 21, 2018. Under guidance 

from the Office of Management and Budget, the Smithsonian used prior-year 

funding to remain open to the public from December 22, 2018, through January 

1, 2019. Shutdown procedures were implemented on January 2, 2019. Mr. 

McCarthy informed the Board of the three major impacts of the shutdown: 

mission impact influenced by the loss of visitorship, decreased revenue resulting 

from restaurant and retail shop closures, and human resources matters related to 

furloughed employees. Smithsonian leadership is addressing long-term impacts 

caused by the disruption in operations. The Board discussed contingency 

planning for future government shutdowns, and the development of both shortterm and long-term guidance that would address areas of concern during future 

shutdowns. 

Secretary Skorton provided updates on the progress of the Smithsonian American 

Women’s History Initiative (“AWHI”), specifically the creation of a National 

Advisory Committee, which will play a key role in shaping the initiative, advancing 

key goals, securing resources, and representing stakeholders. Secretary Skorton 

emphasized the Committee will advise and serve the AWHI directors and the 

Secretary by providing input on programs and events, fundraising strategy, and 

advocacy and outreach to key constituencies.
8

Special Events Recap

Smithsonian Advisory 

Boards

Open Access

World Economic Forum

The Secretary gave a post-event update on two Smithsonian events. On 

December 5, 2018, the Smithsonian hosted the seventh annual American 

Ingenuity Awards. The Awards honor individuals across nine wide-ranging 

categories who have had a revolutionary effect on how we perceive the world 

and how we live in it, over the past year. The 2018 awards honored Janelle 

Monáe for performing arts, John Krasinski for visual arts, John Leguizamo for 

history, the founding members of March for Our Lives for youth, Scott Bolton for 

physical sciences, Mónica Ramírez and Mily Treviño-Sauceda for social progress, 

Tracy K. Smith for education, Jean Bennett and Albert Maguire for life sciences, 

and John Krafcik and Dmitri Dolgov for technology. On December 7, 2018, the 

Arts and Industries Building hosted its signature Long Conversation event. The 

Long Conversation’s format is a creative relay of short, intimate, two-person 

dialogues between artists, scientists and other big thinkers. The Secretary 

reported that more than 1,200 guests attended the in-person dialogues, and over 

30,000 online viewers participated in the event

Secretary Skorton also reported on ethnic diversity and gender representation as 

they relate to the Smithsonian advisory boards. Since 2013, the percentage of 

advisory board members from ethnically diverse backgrounds has increased by six 

percent, while gender representation has remained relatively constant. The

Secretary shared a formal diversity statement, adopted by the Smithsonian 

National Board (“SNB”), which articulates and affirms the SNB’s shared 

commitment to diversity and inclusion, and better positions the SNB to assist the 

Institution in achieving its mission to serve an increasingly diverse global 

community.

The Secretary then asked Provost/Under Secretary for Museums, Education, and 

Research John Davis to lead a discussion on open access for Smithsonian 

museums, libraries, and research centers. Dr. Davis shared the potential 

advantages that removing technical and permission barriers to digitized 

collections and resources could have on advancing the Smithsonian 2022 

Strategic Plan goals, particularly reaching one billion people a year with a digital 

first strategy. The Smithsonian will continue to investigate the scope of open 

access for collections digitization, data management, and publication.

The Secretary concluded his report with an update on the Institution’s 

partnership with the World Economic Forum, following the 2019 annual meeting 

in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. A special installation of the Access+Ability

exhibition from the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum was presented

alongside panels, workshops, and other sessions that highlighted the need to 

build a more inclusive global society.

Following the report of the Secretary, the Board adjourned to the luncheon 

program at approximately 11:10 a.m.
9

Review of 2018 Regents’ 

Self-Assessment

Executive Session 

Guidelines

New Regent Search

Accessibility and 

Inclusion

LUNCH: WORKSHOP ON INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE

Regents and Smithsonian staff convened for a working session about institutional 

culture at the Smithsonian during the luncheon program. As part of an effort to 

ensure the Smithsonian remains a leader in promoting an inclusive and diverse 

work environment, the Board engaged in a preliminary discussion about the 

Institution’s culture, with a focus on its role in minimizing the risks associated 

with claims of sexual harassment in the workplace.

AFTERNOON SESSION

The Chancellor called the afternoon session to order at approximately 1:00 p.m.

and reviewed the remainder of the Board’s business agenda. 

REPORT OF THE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Governance and Nominating Committee Chair Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett

briefed the Board on the results from the Regents’ 2018 annual self-assessment, 

which was circulated to the Board on November 2, 2018. The assessment results 

indicated general agreement on Board roles, structure, practices, and strategic 

priorities. 

Next, Ambassador Barrett reviewed the written guidelines for conducting 

executive sessions that codify the existing practices of the Board’s use of 

executive sessions, which conform to best practices.

To conclude her report, Ambassador Barrett informed the Board that the 

Governance and Nominating Committee is initiating the process to begin the 

search for a citizen Regent to replace John McCarter, whose term expires in 

March 2020. 

DISCUSSION ON ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION

Director of the Accessibility Program Beth Ziebarth led a discussion on the 

Smithsonian’s accessibility and inclusion policies, guidelines, and programs, which 

help to enable every visitor to engage with Smithsonian content to the fullest 

extent possible.

Ms. Ziebarth outlined the strategies and tactics the Institution is using to make

the Smithsonian a leader in enabling everyone to engage with museum content, 

regardless of its form. The Smithsonian follows the principles of inclusive design, 

which address the broadest possible range of disabilities and informs every aspect 

of museum operations, from the design of facilities to exhibitions, websites and 

digital media, and programs. Ms. Ziebarth highlighted that Access Smithsonian 

provides leadership in this model to facilitate the Smithsonian’s creation of new 

opportunities for people with disabilities.
10

Congress and the 

Smithsonian

The Institution’s signature accessibility programs include Morning at the Museum, 

Project SEARCH Smithsonian, User Expert Group, and See Me (At the 

Smithsonian). The programs provide inclusive, purposeful, and consistent 

experiences for visitors with disabilities by creating an appropriate environment 

and providing content engagement for people across age groups, representing a 

broad range of disabilities and needs. Ms. Ziebarth also addressed how the 

Smithsonian is increasing and sustaining accessibility on a pan-Institutional level 

with the creation of the Smithsonian Accessibility Innovations Fund in 2018, to 

fund proposals from Smithsonian museums and research centers to develop 

innovative accessibility solutions.

UPDATE ON 116

TH CONGRESS AND THE SMITHSONIAN 

Director of the Office of Government Relations Cheryl Johnson led a discussion on 

the Smithsonian's relations with House and Senate Members in the 116th 

Congress. Ms. Johnson highlighted strategies for interacting with new committee 

leaders, potential oversight and legislative issues, and engagement opportunities. 

She reviewed priorities for the Smithsonian’s interactions with Congress, 

including federal appropriations, the revitalization of the National Air and Space 

Museum, Regent appointments and reappointments, and diversity and inclusion. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: “GATEKEEPER” REPORTS 

The Board then conducted an executive session with the Smithsonian’s 

Gatekeepers, including the Secretary, General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer, 

and Inspector General.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at

approximately 2:27 p.m., after which Mr. Rubenstein and the Secretary moved to 

a separate room at Capital Gallery to address questions from the media.

Respectfully submitted,

David J. Skorton

Secretary
APPENDIX A: ACTIONS OF THE

JANUARY 28, 2019, MEETING OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the Compensation and Human Resources 

Committee’s 2019 compensation recommendations for senior executive positions. 

[2019.01.01]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the Compensation and Human Resources 

Committee’s 2019 compensation recommendation for the Secretary. [2019.01.02]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed committee chairmanship and 

member assignments for 2019 and requests that the Chancellor make the necessary 

appointments. [2019.01.03]

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the contributions of Anthony G. Coates to the 

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and names the Anthony G. Coates Dining Hall, for a 

period of 20 years or until the next major renovation, whichever occurs later. [2019.01.04]

VOTED that the Board of Regents adopts the Consent Agenda, which constitutes the approval 

of all action items listed therein. [2019.01.05]

VOTED that the Board of Regents expresses its profound appreciation to the memory of 

George Herbert Walker Bush, former U.S. president, vice president, congressman, war 

hero, public servant, and Regent; and approves the grateful recognition of the 

extraordinary service he provided on behalf of the American people and the 

Smithsonian Institution.

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the recognition and expresses its profound 

appreciation to the memory of Jeannine Smith Clark, Regent Emeritus, community 

activist, distinguished philanthropist, and renowned educator; and extends its heartfelt 

sympathies to her family, friends, and colleagues.

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the minutes of the October 22, 2018, 

meeting of the Board of Regents.

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed slate of candidates for 

appointment or reappointment to 15 Smithsonian advisory boards.

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed amendments to the bylaws of 

the Advisory Board of the Asian Pacific American Center.

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed amendments to the bylaws of 

the Advisory Board of the National Museum of African Art.
2

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed amendments to the bylaws of 

the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of the American Indian.

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of the American Express 

Foundation to the National Museum of African American History and Culture and names 

the American Express Culture Galleries for 25 years from the date the recognition 

signage is installed at the entrance to the Culture Galleries.

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of the Upton Trust and 

names the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute director position the Ira Rubinoff 

Director.

VOTED that the Board of Regents creates the William J. Graham Endowment, a quasiendowment for the benefit of the National Museum of Natural History to support the 

Human Origins Program. Further, the Advancement Committee recommends that the 

Board of Regents authorizes the transfer of the funds identified for this purpose.

VOTED that the Board of Regents creates the American Art Journal Fund, a quasiendowment for the benefit of the Smithsonian American Art Museum to support the 

American Art journal. Further, the Advancement Committee recommends that the 

Board of Regents authorizes the transfer of the funds identified for this purpose.

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the Secretary and Under Secretary’s request for 

authority to sign the contemplated lease extension for approximately 133,984 rentable square 

feet of administrative office, collections, and storage space for the Archives of American Art; 

National Portrait Gallery; Smithsonian American Art Museum; and the Smithsonian Institution 

Libraries in the Victor Building, at 750 Ninth Street, NW, Washington, DC. [2019.01.06]

VOTED that the Board of Regents authorizes the Secretary to submit to Congress a federal 

budget request for appropriated funds for fiscal year 2020 as part of the President’s budget in 

the amount of $978.3 million, as negotiated with the Office of Management and Budget 

("OMB"), and authorizes the Secretary to inform OMB and Congress fully about the implications 

of the President’s budget for the mission and priorities of the Smithsonian. [2019.01.07]