Providing for the reappointment of Alan G. Spoon as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 82) providing for the reappointment of Alan G. Spoon as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

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

House Joint Resolution 82 provides for the reappointment of Alan G. Spoon as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

Alan Spoon has served as a member of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History Board of Regents since 2000 and, by all accounts, has done an excellent job. His diverse background in finance, management, and technology has served the institution very well. We would be privileged to have him continue to serve as a member.

Mr. Spoon has a unique skill-set, stemming from his 25 years of service in various dynamic business atmospheres. Mr. Spoon currently serves as a managing partner of Polaris Venture Partners, which invests in Internet-related businesses, networking, biotechnology, and medical technology.

Prior to his position with Polaris, he served in a variety of capacities at The Washington Post Company. These included positions as president, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, president of Newsweek, head of newspaper marketing, and head of corporate business development.

Prior to serving on the Board of Regents, Mr. Spoon served on the National Museum of Natural History's Board of Directors. Mr. Spoon received his BA at M.I.T., his MS at M.I.T.'s Sloan School of Management, and his JD from Harvard Law School.

In light of his distinguished service with the Smithsonian Institution, I urge my colleagues to support House Joint Resolution 82 and reappoint Mr. Spoon to an additional 6-year term.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

I too support H.J. Resolution 82 to reappoint Alan G. Spoon of Massachusetts for a new 6-year term as a citizen regent of the Smithsonian Institution.

I want to mention that my colleague, the Hon. Congressman Barney Frank, joins me in the support of this resolution as well.

Alan Spoon was previously appointed to the Board of Regents by Congress in 2000. He is a member of the executive committee of the board and chairman of the Finance and Investment Committee. As was mentioned, Mr. Spoon is the managing partner of Polaris Venture Partners, an investment company, and was previously president of The Washington Post Company. Prior to that experience, Mr. Spoon also served as president of Newsweek magazine, an impressive accomplishment. He also brings previous experience to the Smithsonian as a member of the National Museum of Natural History's advisory board.

I believe the Smithsonian will continue to benefit from Alan Spoon's financial, marketing, and management background and continuing experience on the Board of Regents.

I urge my colleagues to support House Joint Resolution 82 so that this joint resolution can be signed into law before the May meeting of the Smithsonian regents.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate en bloc consideration of H.J. Res. 81 and H.J. Res. 82, which were received from the House.

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

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.J. Res. 82.