Smithsonian, lonnie bunche. People here are associated with the smithsonian in one form or another, work at the smithsonian or on a board so forth . Ok. How many came to the smithsonian as a child . Ok. How many think the smithsonian is the most unifying organization in washington . [laughter] ok. [applause] so, we can all use a little unification. The nationals do a pretty good job, but nothing, nothing is as good as the smithsonian. There is nobody that doesnt like the smithsonian. And that is true because of so much of the work all of you have done. Let me acknowledge the presence of our congressional regents who are here, senator lahey, congresswoman matsui. Thank you very much for coming. And let me acknowledge the presence of our regions and former regions who are here. Thank you for all you have done to make the smithsonian such a strong organization. I would like to acknowledge the presence of the Museum Directors and Research Directors as well. Thank you for everything you hav
Court Justice John Roberts who is also the chancellor of the smithsonian were on hand for the ceremony. [applause] david thank you. On behalf of the board of regents of the smithsonian, i would like to welcome everyone here to the installation of the 14th secretary of the smithsonian, lonnie bunch. How many people here are associated with the smithsonian in one form or another, work at the smithsonian on a board or so forth . Ok. How many came to the smithsonian as a child . Ok. How many think the smithsonian is the most unifying organization in washington . [laughter] ok. [applause] so, we can all use a little unification. The nationals do a pretty good job, but nothing, nothing is as good as the smithsonian. [laughter] there is nobody that doesnt like the smithsonian. And that is true because of so much of the work all of you have done. Let me acknowledge the presence of our congressional regents who are here, senator lahey, congresswoman matsui. Thank you very much for coming. And l
Of history and culture. Gentlemen, ourd program is about to begin. Please turn off cell phones. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the installation of the 14th sec. Of the Smithsonian Institution. Rise and remain standing for the presentation of the colors by the smithsonian honor guard, and the singing of the National Anthem by kenny lattimore. [footsteps] company halt. Present colors. [the starspangled banner being sung] o say can you see, by the dawns early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming, whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, oer the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming . And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there; o say does that starspangled o say does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . [applause] forward arms right face. Forward march. [footsteps] ready, troop. Ready, troop. Ready
We continue our look at rapid city with a visit to bear butte, a place considered sacred by numerous native americans in the region. Im donovin sprague. High backbone, from the hump and crazyhorse families of the minocoshu for my tribal affiliation from Sheyenne River sioux reservation which is about 100 miles east of where i stand right now at the sacred bear butte. A very spiritual place where people of Many American Indian Tribes and nationalities visit. People come here and theyll give tobacco offering and prayers so theyll leave those like often with tobacco and cloth and for maybe a loved one or something that theyre praying for, but it just shows the all the prayers that are left here and that are well well received in this very area that were at. Ive actually given some names to some people here. So some of these places when i just look over, i can kind of almost imagine us, you know, having our little ceremony and get together and somebody, on great occasion, somebody getting
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 wo