Providing for the appointment of Shirley Ann Jackson as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 19) providing for the appointment of Shirley Ann Jackson as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Joint Resolution 19. I am pleased to be here on the floor with my distinguished colleague from New York to talk about the appointment of Shirley Ann Jackson as a citizen regent of the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents.

The Smithsonian's governing board is comprised of 17 members. These members include the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Vice President of the United States, six Members of Congress, and nine citizens who are nominated by the board and approved jointly in a resolution of Congress. The nine citizen members serve for a term of 6 years each and are eligible for reappointment to one additional term.

Shirley Ann Jackson will fill a vacancy on the board being created with the departure of Hanna Gray. Shirley Ann Jackson is the 18th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the first African American woman to lead a national research university.

Dr. Jackson has been a pioneer in many of her other endeavors as well. She is the first African American woman to receive a doctorate from MIT, the first African American to become a commissioner and chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the first African American woman elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

Her accomplishments in the field of physics and her leadership as the head of a national research university provide her with tremendous experience that will benefit the Smithsonian's board.

Dr. Jackson is currently President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and she was named one of seven 2004 Fellows of the Association for Women in Science.

In addition to her experience, Dr. Jackson has received the Golden Torch Award for Lifetime Achievement in Academia from the National Society of Black Engineers. She has been inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, and she has been recognized in such publications as Discover and Industry Week magazines and the Essence book, 50 of The Most Inspiring African Americans.

I could go on and on because I have merely scratched the surface of Dr. Jackson's numerous achievements, as well as the honors and awards she has received. But I will conclude by saying that it should be very clear that Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson would be a tremendous addition to the Smithsonian Institution's governing board. It will be an honor and pleasure to have her serve on that board, and I ask my colleagues to support House Joint Resolution 19.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I consider it a great honor to come to the floor today to nominate my friend Shirley Ann Jackson for the position of member of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

As the chairman pointed out, Dr. Jackson is the 18th President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a leading national research university, which I am proud to say is located in my congressional district in the great city of Troy, New York, and I am also proud to say that Shirley Ann Jackson is a constituent.

Dr. Jackson is widely recognized for her intelligent, compassionate problem-solving abilities and her promotion of women and minorities in science. Dr. Jackson is currently the President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is a director of many major corporations, including FedEx and AT&T.

She is also a member of the New York Stock Exchange Board of Directors, the Council on Foreign Relations, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Advisory Council on Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at NIH, the U.S. Comptroller-General's Advisory Committee for the GAO, and the Executive Committee of the Council on Competitiveness.

She is also a Fellow at the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and is a trustee of Georgetown University, Rockefeller University, Emma Willard School, and the Brookings Institution.

As the chairman pointed out, she is the recipient of many awards and honors, including life membership on the MIT Board of Trustees.

A native of Washington, D.C., Dr. Jackson received both her B.S. in physics and her Ph.D. in theoretical elementary particle physics from MIT. Dr. Jackson also holds 32 honorary doctoral degrees.

Mr. Speaker, as the chairman pointed out, Dr. Jackson is uniquely qualified for this position, and I urge adoption of the joint resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I am delighted again to refer this resolution to my colleagues for their consideration and support. Dr. Jackson is a great friend. She is a constituent. She is an outstanding American and a great humanitarian, and I urge adoption of the joint resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on the evening of April 19, I missed three Rollcall votes. I respectfully request the opportunity to record my position on Rollcall votes. It was my intention to vote ``yes'' on Rollcall No. 109 H.R. 683, Trademark Dilution Revision Act of 2005. ``Yes'' on Rollcall No. 110 H.J. Res. 19, providing for the appointment of Shirley Ann Jackson as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. ``Yes'' on Rollcall No. 111 H.J. Res. 20, providing for the appointment of Robert P. Kogod as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution

At this time I would ask for unanimous consent that my positions be entered into the Record following those votes or in the appropriate portion of the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Rules Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.J. Res. 19 and H.J. Res. 20 and the Senate proceed to their immediate consideration en bloc.

I ask unanimous consent that the joint resolutions be read a third time and passed, the motions to reconsider by laid upon the table en bloc, and any statements be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I was absent from votes in the House on Tuesday, April 19, due to a previous and unavoidable commitment. Therefore, I was unable to vote on H.R. 683 (rollcall No. 109), H.J. Res. 19 (rollcall No. 110), and H.J. Res. 20 (rollcall No. 111). Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on all three measures considered before the House.