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.

Alex Padilla

Democrat · CA · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)Original· 2026-09-29
• Gary C. Peters (D-MI)Original· 2026-09-29
• Jeff Merkley (D-OR)Original· 2026-09-29
• Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)Original· 2026-09-29

Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text: CR S5174)

2026-09-29

Source: Congress.gov

Plain-English summary pending. Introduced on 2026-09-29. Check back soon — summaries are generated as bills progress through Congress.

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

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