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Rep. Matsui Appointed to Two New Positions at Smithsonian

October 4, 2017
Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mon., May 5, 2008

Rep. Doris Matsui Appointed to Two New Positions at the Smithsonian Institution

Will Oversee New Museum, Chair Strategic Planning andamp; Programs

Today, Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-05) was named a member of the National Museum of African American History and Culture Council. Matsui will replace Walter Massey as the Board of Regents' representative on the Council. She was also named as the Chair of the new Strategic Planning and Programs Committee.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture will be the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, art, history and culture. The Council of the National Museum of African American History and Culture advises the Board of Regents on the planning and design of the museum; the acquisition and display of objects; and the administration, operation, maintenance and preservation of the museum. The members of the 19-person Council, which includes leaders from business, academia and the arts, will serve terms of one, two or three years.

In her second new position, Congresswoman Matsui will work closely with the Secretary and the Board to design a robust strategic planning process that encourages and embraces contributions from all key stakeholders. The creation of the Committee is a part of ongoing governance reforms and follows best practice guidelines. The Committee will assist the Secretary and the Board both in this process and in the review of future major programs.

andquot;The Smithsonian is rightfully regarded as a national treasure, and I anticipate that the addition of the Museum of African American History and Culture will only broaden the scope of the Smithsonian's mission. I am honored to be appointed to the council and represent the Board of Regents,andquot; said Rep. Matsui. andquot;I am confident that we will be able to steer the planning of the museum to ensure that we stay true to the vision of James Smithson, and bring increased knowledge to every person who crosses the threshold of the museum.andquot;

andquot;We need to get beyond what's in front of us and look at the future needs of the Smithsonian, as well as ways to affect future generations through enhanced digitization of the Smithsonian's considerable resources. We have an opportunity to improve our country's reputation in the global community by increasing scientific literacy and the preservation of historic artifacts that are valued throughout the world. I look forward to working with the new Secretary-elect and an engaged Board to usher in a bright future for the Smithsonian Institution,andquot; said Rep. Matsui.

Rep. Matsui was named to the Smithsonian Board of Regents in 2007, quickly followed by an appointment to the Regents' Governance Committee. She has taken an active role in reforming the Smithsonian Institution's governing practices, and is a regular speaker on governance in the non-profit sector.

The members of the Council are James Ireland Cash, retired James E. Robison Professor and senior associate dean of the Harvard Business School; Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer of American Express Company; Ann M. Fudge, chairman and chief executive officer of Young andamp; Rubicam Brands; James A. Johnson, vice chairman of Perseus L.L.C.; Robert L. Johnson, founder and chief executive officer of Black Entertainment Television and the RLJ Companies; Quincy Jones, producer and multimedia entrepreneur; Ann D. Jordan, consultant for Northpoint Technology; Michael L. Lomax, president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund; Homer A. Neal, director of the University of Michigan-ATLAS Project and the Samuel A. Goudsmit Distinguished University Professor of Physics at the University of Michigan; E. Stanley O'Neal, chairman and chief executive officer of Merrill Lynch andamp; Company; Samuel J. Palmisano, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of IBM Corporation; Richard D. Parsons, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Time Warner Inc.; Franklin D. Raines, retired chairman and chief executive officer of Fannie Mae; Linda Johnson Rice, president and chief executive officer of Johnson Publishing Company Inc.; H. Patrick Swygert, president of Howard University; Anthony Welters, president and chief executive officer of AmeriChoice; and Oprah Winfrey, chairman of Harpo Inc.

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