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American Morning
Congressional Monetary Support of Smithsonian
Aired August 16, 2001 - 11:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well now we're going to focus on the Smithsonian. It's not easy being one of the most popular museums and destinations in the world. There is money and effort that goes with keeping all of that up, and that's where find our Jeanne Meserve today.
Jeanne, you have a unique look inside what a lot of people consider the nation's attic.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's true, Daryn. An incredible collection of items out here for public view. Much, much more in storage. Unfortunately, we haven't taken a look at that yet, but hopefully we will.
I want to talk to you a little bit about this money situation. Seventy percent of the Smithsonian's funding comes from the federal government.
And joining me here now is a man who has something to do with that, Congressman Jim Moran, Democrat from the state of Virginia, and a member of the subcommittee that deals with the Smithsonian and appropriations.
We've discussed this morning the fact that this institution has some real infrastructure problems, and estimates are it's going to take $1.5 billion over 10 years to set things straight.
Is the Smithsonian going to get the money it needs from Congress?
REP. JAMES MORAN (D), VIRGINIA: I can't possibly predict what we're going to do over the next 10 years. I do think we ought to provide the money. This is America's treasure. You've got more than 40 million Americans who visit the Smithsonian on an annual basis. So I think it would be justified.
That's $150 million on average per year. We put an extra $30 million in this year for capital expenditures, in addition to the salaries and expenses. I think that we could probably find it, but it's a matter of priorities.
Your -- the news today talking about the surplus is relevant to this, because we've got to determine whether we have sufficient surplus. I think that the tax cut is relevant. Americans have to decide to spend whether they want to spend this money to maintain our infrastructure or get it back in taxes.
But in terms of the Smithsonian specifically, I would put the money in, and I think we're going to. It needs it.
MESERVE: I've been speaking to some people concerned with the future of this institution. There's been a lot of controversy about the role of corporate and private money coming in here to the Smithsonian. And one expert suggested to me that if Congress would just give the Smithsonian the money it needed, this wouldn't be an issue.
Is that a likely prospect?
MORAN: Well, the Congress wants to see the vote of confidence from individuals and from corporations that they believe the Smithsonian is worth the investment. So, I don't think it's a bad thing to have that corporate involvement.
But clearly, if the Congress needed to we could find the money, and we probably will if they don't come forward.
MESERVE: One very quick question. Right now the secretary of the Smithsonian reportedly making $480,000, more than the President of the United States. Is it appropriate in this budget crunch?
MORAN: It doesn't bother me. He could be making millions in the outside. He is a corporate executive. If you want the best people, you ought to pay for them. I think Larry Small is doing a great job heading the Smithsonian.
MESERVE: Congressman Jim Moran, thanks so much.
MORAN: Sure, my pleasure.
MESERVE: The Smithsonian is, of course, about science, but even more it's about history. One of the things they're taking a look in an exhibit right now: the American presidency.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What we were most interested when we were putting together this exhibit is to really look at the office of the presidency and its relationship to the American public. We try to find those things that are the most interesting, compelling, significant and fund and put a story around them.
So we have things like the desk that Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on. We have George Washington's battle sword that he used during the revolution and during the Whiskey Rebellion when he was president. Then we have fun things like Warren G. Harding's pajamas.
In this exhibit there's a chance for you to become the president. A number of people have come, and one of them was the chief justice, Rehnquist. He went to the podium and read Roosevelt's inauguration address, twice. Of course he did it in full theatrics, adopting Roosevelt's New York accent.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRES. FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT: Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing that we have to fear is fear itself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have things on the White House life, and so we have toys of the president's children. Again, you know, we were thinking of this as a wonderful opportunity for the children. It's amazing how many adults: look at this wonderful doll house made Jimmy Carter.
So you try to craft an exhibit that appeals to everyone on different levels.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE: Next hour, a look at retail and how it helps the Smithsonian with the bottom line. Daryn, Stephen, back to you.
KAGAN: Jeanne, thank you.
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