A resolution honoring the leadership of Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and recognizing his career as a public servant and the enduring value of the Smithsonian Institution to the people of the United States.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 919 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 919

   Honoring the leadership of Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the 
Smithsonian Institution and recognizing his career as a public servant 
and the enduring value of the Smithsonian Institution to the people of 
                           the United States.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 29, 2026

Mr. Padilla (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Murkowski, Ms. Cortez Masto, 
and Mr. Peters) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
              to the Committee on Rules and Administration

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Honoring the leadership of Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the 
Smithsonian Institution and recognizing his career as a public servant 
and the enduring value of the Smithsonian Institution to the people of 
                           the United States.

Whereas Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III is a steadfast public servant who has 
        announced that he will retire from the Smithsonian Institution after 
        nearly 4 decades of distinguished service;
Whereas Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III is the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian 
        Institution since its founding 180 years ago in 1846;
Whereas Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III made history as the first African American 
        and first historian to serve as Secretary of the Smithsonian 
        Institution;
Whereas Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, since 2019, has led the Smithsonian 
        Institution during a time of great growth and success;
Whereas Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, for 7 years, has led the world's largest 
        museum, education and research complex--which includes 21 museums, 20 
        libraries, the National Zoo, numerous research centers, and multiple 
        education units and centers--and during that time the Smithsonian 
        Institution has welcomed over 100 million visitors to its museums and 
        the National Zoo;
Whereas Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III spearheaded the Smithsonian Institution's 
        fundraising campaign, the largest of a cultural institution, surpassing 
        the Smithsonian Institution's $2.5 billion fundraising goal 1 year ahead 
        of schedule;
Whereas Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III has guided the Smithsonian Institution's 
        continued expansion, including congressional authorization of 2 new 
        Smithsonian museums, the National Museum of the American Latino and the 
        American Women's History Museum;
Whereas Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III helped secure the Smithsonian 
        Institution's Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall as the 
        permanent home for the National Museum of the American Latino;
Whereas Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III led the Smithsonian Institution in 
        celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, curating the 
        Smithsonian's American Aspirations exhibit to commemorate the signing of 
        the Declaration of Independence and the aspirational ideals of our 
        Nation's founding;
Whereas Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, prior to being appointed Secretary of the 
        Smithsonian Institution, served as the Founding Director of the National 
        Museum of African American History and Culture, steering the museum from 
        its initial concept to its opening on the National Mall on September 24, 
        2016, and in the 10 years since, the museum has welcomed more than 13 
        million visitors and become one of the Smithsonian Institution's most 
        visited locations;
Whereas Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III has stewarded the Smithsonian Institution 
        on an independent, nonpartisan basis, never wavering in his commitment 
        to defending the independence and integrity of the Institution, ensuring 
        that it continues to preserve and tell America's full story;
Whereas Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III has remained steadfast in his commitment 
        to excellence and upheld the Smithsonian Institution's missions and 
        values, guaranteeing that it remains a national treasure; and
Whereas Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III's legacy as a public servant will continue 
        long after his retirement, forever memorialized by his contributions to 
        the Smithsonian Institution, which visitors from the United States and 
        around the world will continue to enjoy for generations to come: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) honors the decades of distinguished service and 
        accomplishments of Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution 
        Lonnie G. Bunch III;
            (2) congratulates Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III on his 
        upcoming retirement and thanks him for his service to the 
        people of the United States; and
            (3) reaffirms the value of the Smithsonian Institution as 
        an institution dedicated to accurately increasing and diffusing 
        knowledge around the world to both preserve America's full 
        history and contribute to scholarship concerning historical, 
        cultural, and scientific matters.
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