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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE WORK OF LONNIE G. BUNCH III
______
HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON
of the district of columbia
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of
Representatives to join me in recognizing Lonnie G. Bunch III in his
new position as the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, one of
the highest positions in the museum world. He will be the 14th
Secretary of the Smithsonian, responsible for 19 museums, nine research
centers and the National Zoo, together employing 7,000 people with a
$1.5 billion budget annually.
On June 16th, Bunch will begin his tenure as Secretary, leaving his
position as the director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of
African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). He is the ideal person
to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the Smithsonian.
Bunch is owed the lion's share of the credit for the creation of
NMAAHC. What started as a broad mandate from Congress, one staff member
and no collection, NMAAHC has grown to become one of the great gems in
the nation's capital. NMAAHC has had over4 million visitors since its
doors opened in 2016. Bunch's political and fundraising talents brought
$270 million in federal money and $317 million in private donations for
NMAAHC before it opened in 2016.
Bunch began working for the Smithsonian in 1989. He spent 11 years At
the National Museum of American History, where he worked, in part, as
the museum's associate director for curatorial affairs. He left to work
as the president of the Chicago Historical Society and later as the
curator of history and program manager for the California African
American Museum.
As a student, he attended American University in Washington, D.C. and
received his master's and bachelor's degrees in History. He will be the
first historian to be Secretary of the Smithsonian. He is also the
first African American to lead the Smithsonian in its 172-year history
and the first museum director to be named Secretary in 74 years.
Among Bunch's many accomplishments is writing various books, ranging
from the black military experience to the American presidency to
diversity in museum management. He has taught at several universities
over the years, including American University and George Washington
University, and has traveled both domestically and abroad for lectures
and presentations.
In 2002, Bunch was appointed by President George W. Bush to the
Committee for the Preservation of the White House and reappointed by
President Barack Obama in 2010. In 2005, he was named one of the most
influential museum professionals of the 20th century by the American
Association of Museums.
Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in
recognizing Lonnie G. Bunch III for his many achievements and in
congratulating him on his new role as the Secretary of the Smithsonian
Institution.
____________________
