Grassley Pleased With Smithsonian's Naming of Inspector General

Fr: Jill Gerber for Senator Grassley, 202/224-6522

Re: Naming of a permanent Smithsonian inspector general

Da: Da: Monday, March 5, 2007

Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Committee on Finance, today made the following comment on the Smithsonian Institution's naming of a permanent inspector general. Grassley urged the appointment of a permanent, independent inspector general last June, when the then-inspector general left.

"I'm glad the Smithsonian is naming a permanent inspector general, a point I raised months ago. The Smithsonian says it's the world's largest museum complex and research organization. It's a billion-dollar-a-year operation. Tax dollars and taxpayer-subsidized charitable donations make up the lion's share of that budget. And the Smithsonian appeals to Americans' sense of history and patriotism as the caretaker of national treasures. It needs a permanent, independent inspector general to help maintain the public's trust. The Smithsonian hasn't had a permanent inspector general since last June. Inspectors general are watchdogs for the public. The Smithsonian treasures and treasury have gone too long without one."