(March 5, 2008) Washington, DC: The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed three pieces of legislation brought to the floor today by Committee on House Administration Chairman Robert A. Brady.

H. R. 5159 – The Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008, which was authored by Brady, defines the duties, responsibilities and roles for a variety of administrative and executive offices in the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). The Bill also establishes the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services (OCAS), which will coordinate accessibility services for individuals with disabilities, including Capitol Complex visitors, Members of Congress and House and Senate employees. This bipartisan bill received unanimous support.

“H.R. 5159 will be the first bill passed by the House to deal with the internal operations and organization of the CVC,” said Brady. “H.R. 5159 is a necessary instrument to ensure that the CVC will be able to carry out its main objectives: security, visitor education and comfort.”

H. Con. Res. 307, also introduced by Brady, expresses the importance of proper maintenance and preservation of Members’ Congressional papers. The legislation highlights the role that Members’ papers play in documenting vital national, regional and local public policy issues. The resolution encourages Members to use the resources of the Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate to develop professional, cost-effective management and preservation strategies.

Brady encouraged the Senate to act quickly on these pending items.

Additionally, Brady secured House passage of Senate Joint Resolution 25, which appoints John W. McCarter, Jr. as a Citizen Regent of the Smithsonian Institution for a six-year term. Passage of the resolution fills a vacancy on the Smithsonian Board of Regents that has lasted for nearly one year. With the President’s signature, timely enactment of the appointment resolution will allow Mr. McCarter to join the Smithsonian Board in time for a vote to appoint a new Smithsonian Institution Secretary, which is expected later this month.

Mr. McCarter is currently the president and CEO of the Field Museum in Chicago, one of the nation's great cultural institutions, and an international leader in environmental conservation, evolutionary biology, geology, and anthropology. Mr. McCarter has had a diverse background in government and business, in addition to his role as head of one of the nation's great museums.

“Mr. McCarter brings a wealth of useful skills to the Board,” said Brady. “As an experienced museum director, he may prove especially valuable in helping to implement governance reforms at the Institution. Passage of this joint resolution continues the necessary process of bringing new blood into the Smithsonian Institution and restoring the Board to full strength,” Brady added.

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