press release –
Media Advisory: Ehlers schedules hearing on Smithsonian Institution Business Ventures
WASHINGTON – Chairman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Mich., announced today that the Committee on House Administration will conduct a hearing on the operations and investments of Smithsonian Business Ventures, including Smithsonian on Demand, at 12 noon, Thursday, May 25, 2006, in room 1310 of the Longworth House Office Building.
With the growing concerns surrounding Smithsonian on Demand, the Smithsonian Business Ventures’ announced partnership to create and distribute Smithsonian-related programming with CBS/Showtime Networks, Inc., the Committee will call upon experts from the Smithsonian to provide insight on the potential risks involved with curtailing access and use of the Smithsonian collections to filmmakers, rival networks, journalists and scholars. The hearing will also include testimony regarding the overall financial and operational strategy behind Smithsonian Business Ventures.
Hearing on Thursday, May 25, 2006:
· WHAT: Smithsonian Institution Business Ventures Hearing
· WHO: Lawrence M. Small, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution
Alice Maroni, Chief Financial Officer, Smithsonian Institution
John Huerta, General Counsel, Smithsonian Institution
Gary M. Beer, Chief Executive Officer, Smithsonian Business Ventures
· TOPIC: Smithsonian Business Ventures Informational Briefing
· WHERE: 1310 Longworth House Office Building
· TIME: 12 noon
The hearing will be available via live webcast on the Committee website, http://cha.house.gov.
For more information, contact the Committee press office at (202) 225-8281.