Joint resolution authorizing the President to proclaim the occasion of the bicentennial celebration of the birth of James Smithson
PL 89-124 (S.J.Res.56), enacted 08/13/1965

20 u s e 41 et 
seq. 
518 
PUBLIC LAW 89-124-AUGUST13, 1965 
[79 STAT. 
Public Law 89-124 
August 13, 1965 
J O I N T RESOLUTION 
[ . J. 
es. 6] 
Authorizing the President to proclaim the occasion of the bicentennial cele-
bration of the birth of James Smithson. 
Whereas James Smithson, of London, England, by his last will and 
testament gave the whole of his property to the United States 
of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the 
"Smithsonian Institution", an establishment for the increase and 
diffusion of knowledge among men; and 
Whereas the United States by Acts of Congress received that prop-
erty and accepted such trust; and 
Whereas the United States, for the faithful execution of such trust, 
by an Act of Congress approved August 10, 1846, formed an 
establishment, consisting of the President, the Vice President, 
the Chief Justice, and the heads of executive departments, by the 
name of the Smithsonian Institution for the increase and diffusion 
of knowledge among men; and 
Whereas the Smithsonian Institution, in carrying out the provisions 
of the mandate placed upon it, has striven to serve as the cutting 
edge of original research in advancing the frontiers of knowledge 
beyond the limits of the practical, the profitable, and the obvious; 
and 
-' •
^
, Whereas James Smithson, in setting forth the ideal of the "increase 
and diffusion of knowledge among men", ignored considerations 
of nationality, private interest, and narrow scholarly specializa-
tion; and 
Whereas any institution dedicated to an ideal must constantly remem-
ber and rededicate itself to that ideal; and 
Whereas the Board of Regents and the Secretary of the Smithsonian 
Institution to celebrate the bicentennial of the birth of James 
Smithson have invited prominent scholars, scientists, and represen-
tatives of universities, museums, and learned societies of the world 
to Washington, District of Columbia, on September 17 and 18,1965, 
for a program consisting of addresses, papers, and discussions con-
cerning the broad problems of man and his relationship to his en-
vironment : Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United 
James Smithson. jgtates of America in Conqress assembled. That the President of the 
celebration. 
United States, as the presiding officer of the Smithsonian Institution, 
is hereby authorized and requested to issue a proclamation to an-
nounce the occasion of the celebration of the bicentennial of the birth 
of James Smithson and to designate and set aside September 17 and 
18, 1966, as special days to honor the memory of James Smithson and 
the accomplishments of the Institution which bears his name. 
Approved August 13, 1965. 
Public Law 89-125 
August 13, 1965 
AN ACT 
^ • • '^'^'^^^ 
To amend the National Arts and Cultural Development Act of 1904 with respect 
to the authorization of appropriations therein. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
Z^mted States of America in Congress assemhled^ That section 10 of 
2
0 us^c ysJ' 
^^^^ National Arts and Cultural Development Act of 1964 is amended 
by inserting "per annum" after "$150,000". 
Approved August 13, 1965.