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The original documents are located in Box 11, folder "1974/10/26 SJR236 Indemnification
for the Metropolitan Museum of Art" of the White House Records Office: Legislation Case
Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Exact duplicates within this folder were not digitized.
Digitized from Box 11 of the White House Records Office Legislation Case Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION
WASHINGTON
Last Day - October 29
October 25, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
KEN CODE
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Senate Joint Resolution
S.J. Res. 236
Indemnification for the
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Attached for your consideration is Senate Joint Resolution
236, sponsored by Senators Pell and Javits, which authorizes
the Secretary of State to enter into an agreement with the
Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York to indemnify the
Museum against any substantial losses growing out of the
transit or exhibition of certain paintings in the Soviet
Union.
Roy Ash recommends approval and provides you with additional
background information in his enrolled bill report (Tab A).
The NSC, the Counsel's office (Chapman), Bill Timmons and
Domestic Council all recommend approval.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign Senate Joint Resolution 236 (Tab B).
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
APPROVED STATES UNITED
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
OCT 26 1974
OCT 23 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Posted 10/28
Subject: Enrolled Senate Joint Resolution S.J.Res. 236 -
Indemnification for the Metropolitan Museum
of Art
Sponsor - Senator Pell (D) Rhode Island and
Senator Javits (R) New York
ardives
)o
Last Day for Action
19/29
October 29, 1974 - Tuesday
Purpose
Authorizes the Secretary of State to enter into an agree-
ment with the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York to
indemnify the Museum against any substantial losses growing
out of the transit or exhibition of certain paintings in
the Soviet Union.
Agency Recommendations
Office of Management and Budget
Approval
Department of State
Approval (Informally)
National Endowment for
the Humanities
Approval
National Endowment for the Arts
Approval
Smithsonian Institution
Approval (Informally)
Discussion
Under a 1973 cultural exchange agreement between the United
States and the Soviet Union, certain Soviet works of art
will be sent to this country for exhibition next year,
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
2
and the Metropolitan Museum will exhibit about 100 of its
paintings in Russia.
The Metropolitan Museum paintings are estimated to be worth
$75 million. The Museum will not, of course, make its
paintings available unless they are insured or otherwise
protected against loss or damage. The cost of private
insurance would be prohibitive if borne by the Museum and
would add substantially to the expenses of the exhibition
if borne by the National Endowment for the Humanities which
is helping to underwrite the cost of the exchange.
To provide the necessary protection, S.J.Res. 236 would
authorize the Secretary of State to enter into an agree-
ment with the Metropolitan Museum to provide compensation
for any substantial losses growing out of the transit or
exhibition of the paintings. The resolution requires the
Secretary to certify the amount of any indemnified losses
to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House
and authorizes appropriations to pay any such losses.
The rationale for the indemnification which S.J.Res. 236
would authorize is basically the same as that underlying
P.L. 93-287 enacted earlier this year to provide indemnifica-
tion protection for Chinese works of art to be exhibited
in this country.
Losses by major museums as a result of the international
exhibition of their works of art have been extremely low,
given the high professional standards of care and security,
and the likelihood of any significant liability arising
out of the agreement with the Metropolitan is considered
quite remote.
mefred H Rommal
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Enclosures
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Washington, D.C. 20520
OCT 2 3 1974
Honorable Roy L. Ash, Director
Office of Management and Budget
West Wing - White House
Washington, D. C. 20513
Dear Mr. Ash:
I refer to Mr. Rommel's communication of October 21, 1974,
which seeks the views of the Department of State on Senate
Joint Resolution 236.
The Department of State recommends the approval of this
legislation by the President. The report of the Committee
on Foreign Relations on S.J. 236 sets forth in detail the
background of this bill. It includes the relevant state-
ment of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Educational
and Cultural Affairs William K. Hitchcock. In that statement,
Mr. Hitchcock raised a question with regard to the completeness
of the period of coverage of the indemnification provided by
the resolution. This point has been met by subsequent amend-
ment of the resolution to cover the period of transit to and
from the USSR.
Two observations should be made with respect to the Committee
Report. In a paragraph headed "Committee Action", the
Committee pointed out that the resolution provides for in-
demnification "only for substantial loss or damage as
determined by the Secretary of State," and that by substantial
the Committee means "more than $25,000." The Department of
State understands this to mean that the agreement to be made
with the Metropolitan Museum pursuant to the authority con-
tained in the resolution shall include a "deductible" clause
in the amount of $25,000.
In the paragraph headed "Committee Comments", the Committee
further notes that the paintings are valued at $75 million,
but "that the paintings will not be shipped en masse, and the
value of any one shipment will not exceed $5 million." The
Department of State understands that this has been the practice
of the Metropolitan Museum in the past, but recognizes that
this cannot be considered an absolute rule. For example, it
is understood that at least one of the paintings scheduled to
be included in this exhibition of itself is undoubtedly worth
more than $5 million.
Finally, as pointed out by Mr. Hitchcock in his statement,
the Department will require that the agreement of indemnifi-
cation to be concluded with the Metropolitan Museum will
provide that the Department be furnished with evidence that
every possible precaution will be taken to minimize the risk
of loss or damage.
Linwood Holton
Assistant Secretary for
Congressional Relations
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
Washington, D.C. 20560
U.S.A.
October 23, 1974
Mr. Wilfred H. Rommel
Assistant Director for Legislative Reference
Office of Management and Budget
Executive Office of the President
Washington, D. C. 20503
Dear Mr. Rommel:
Thank you for requesting the views of the Smithsonian Institution
on the enrolled bill S. J. Res. 236, to provide for the indemnification of
the Metropolitan Museum of New York for loss or damage suffered by
objects in exhibition in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
The resolution would authorize the Secretary of State or his designee
to conclude an agreement with the Metropolitan Museum in New York to
indemnify the museum for loss or damage to objects from the museum
which will be exhibited in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
The agreement to be concluded is to provide that the period of
indemnification shall extend from the time the objects leave the premises
of the museum until they are returned, and that coverage is only for
substantial loss or damage as determined by the Secretary of State.
The Smithsonian Institution supports the principle of government
indemnification of objects in international cultural exchanges. Indemni-
fication of national treasures is widely practiced in countries outside of
the United States and is a useful and important means of increasing exchanges,
as well as knowledge of the peoples of the world. We respectfully recommend
endorsement by the President of S.J. Res. 236.
Sincerely yours,
S. S. Dillon Dillar Secretary Ripley
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
October 21, 1974
Mr. Wilfred H. Rommel
Assistant Director for Legislative
Reference
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D. C. 20503
Dear Mr. Rommel:
This is in reply to your request of October 21st for the views
of the National Endowment for the Humanities on enrolled Senate
Joint Resolution 236 to provide for the indemnification of the
Metropolitan Museum of New York for loss or damage suffered by
objects in exhibition in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
This special legislation is most appropriate at this time in order
to provide protection for the forthcoming Russian exhibit. The
National Endowment for the Humanities recommends approval of
Senate Joint Resolution 236 by the President.
Sincerely,
Road
Ronald S. Berman
Chairman
NATIONAL
WASHINGTON
ENDOWMENT
D.C. 20506
FOR
THE ARTS
A Federal agency advised by the
National Council on the Arts
October 22, 1974
Mr. W. H. Rommel
Assistant Director
for Legislative Reference
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D. C. 20503
Dear Mr. Rommel:
This is in response to your request for our views and
recommendations on enrolled bill S.J. Res. 236, to
provide for the indemnification of the Metropolitan
Museum of New York for loss or damage suffered by
objects in exhibition in the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics. This legislation would authorize the
Secretary of State to conclude an agreement with the
museum for the protection of objects owned by the
Metropolitan in exhibition in the Soviet Union as
part of an exchange under the general agreement on
contracts, exchanges and cooperation, signed July 19,
1973, by the United States and the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics.
Under the exchange, which is the subject of S.J. Res. 236,
the Metropolitan Museum is to send to the Soviet Union
some of its collection of sixteenth to nineteenth century
American and European paintings. The Soviets have prom-
ised in return to send to the Metropolitan Museum and
the Los Angeles County Museum of Art a collection of gold
and silver from the 5th century civilization of the
Scythians.
It is generally acknowledged that international cultural
exchanges are one of the best means of preserving and
strengthening peaceful relations between nations, and
that such exchanges should be encouraged and assisted in
every appropriate way. What is not so well known is that
Office of Management
- 2 -
October 22, 1974
and Budget
insurance costs on these international exchanges are ex-
orbitantly high. Because of such costs, some major
exhibitions in the past have been cancelled. In other
instances the high costs of insurance have been borne by
the taxpayer through grants made by the National Endowment
for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities
for the purposes of paying the insurance premiums so that
the exhibitions could take place. This was the case last
winter regarding the "Masterpieces of Tapestry from the
14th to the 16th Century" exhibition at the Metropolitan,
in which a major collection of tapestries from Europe
and the United States were put on special exhibition and
were viewed by approximately 400,000 persons. Insurance
costs for that exhibition alone totaled almost $100,000
and were paid for by a grant from the National Endowment
for the Arts.
The Joint Resolution, which would put the United States in
the role of an indemnitor, would eliminate the necessity
of either the Government or the Metropolitan Museum paying
out approximately $250,000 to $350,000 in insurance premium
costs. Since the experience of the past two decades shows
that losses on international exhibitions are practically
nonexistent, there seems to be little justification for
these large expenditures for insurance premiums which
place a great financial burden on the cultural institution
involved, or on the Federal Government if paid through a
grant. To avoid such expenditures, we support the Federal
indemnity approach contained in S. J. Res. 236.
While the Endowment believes that this special legislation
is appropriate at this time in order to provide protection
for the upcoming Russian exchange, it wishes to note that
this is the second time in recent months that such legislation
has been deemed necessary by the Congress. The President
on May 21, 1974, signed into law a similar bill (S. 3304),
which authorized the "Secretary of State or such officer as
he may designate to conclude an agreement with the People's
Republic of China for indemnification for any loss or
damage to objects in the 'Exhibition of the Archeological
Finds of the People's Republic of China' while in the
possession of the Government of the United States."
Office of Management
- 3 -
October 22, 1974
and Budget
In view of these developments, the need for more comprehen-
sive legislative authority in the form of a United States
Government indemnification applicable generally to inter-
national cultural and scientific exchanges would seem to
have been demonstrated.
The National Endowment for the Arts strongly supports this
legislation and wholeheartedly recommends approval of
S.J. Res. 236 by the President.
Sincerely,
mith
Nancy Hanks
Chairman
ACTION
Last Day - October 29
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
KEN COLE
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Senate Joint Resolution
S.J. Res. 236
Indemmification for the
Netropolitan Museum of Art
Attached for your consideration is Senate Joint Resolution
236, sponsored by Senators Pell and Javits, which authorizes
the Secretary of State to enter into an agreement with the
Netropolitan Museum of Art of New York to indemnify the
Museum against any substantial losses growing out of the
transit or exhibition of certain paintings in the Soviet
Union.
Roy Ash recommends approval and provides you with additional
background information in his enrolled bill report (Tab A).
The NSC, the Counsel's office (Chapman), Bill Timmons and
Domestic Council all recommend approval.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign Senate Joint Resolution 236 (Tab B).
ACTION
Last Day - October 29
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
KEN COLE
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Senate Joint Resolution
S.J. Res. 236
Inde nification for the
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Attached for your consideration is Senate Joint Resolution
236, sponsored by Senators Pell and Javits, which authorizes
the Secretary of State to enter into an agreement with the
Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York to indemnify the
Museum against any substantial losses growing out of the
transit or exhibition of certain paintings in the Soviet
Union.
Roy Ash recommends approval and provides you with additional
background information in his enrolled bill report (Tab A).
The NSC, the Counsel's office (Chapman), Bill Timmons and
Domestic Council all recommend approval.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign Senate Joint Resolution 236 (Tab B).
ACTION
Last Day - October 29
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
KEN COLE
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Senate Joint Resolution
S.J. Res. 236
Indemmification for the
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Attached for your consideration is Senate Joint Resolution
236, sponsored by Senators Pell and Javits, which authorizes
the Secretary of State to enter into an agreement with the
Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York to indemnify the
Museum against any substantial losses growing out of the
transit or exhibition of certain paintings in the Soviet
Union.
Roy Ash recommends approval and provides you with additional
background information in his enrolled bill report (Tab A).
The NSC, the Counsel's office (Chapman), Bill Timmons and
Domestic Council all recommend approval.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign Senate Joint Resolution 236 (Tab B).
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 24, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR: MR. WARREN HENDRIKS
FROM:
WILLIAM E. TIMMONS
SUBJECT:
Action Memorandum - Log No. 702
Enrolled Senate Joint Resolution 236 -
Indeminification for the Metropolitan
Museum of Art
The Office of Legislative Affairs concurs in the attached
proposal and has no additional recommendations.
Attachment
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.: 702
Date:
October 23, 1974
Time:
6:00 p.m.
FOR ACTION:
Tod Hullin
CC (for information) Warren K. Hendriks
Phil Buchen
Jerry Jones
\Bill Timmons
Paul Theis
NSC/S
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date: Friday, October 25, 1974
Time:
2:00 p.m.
SUBJECT: Enrolled Senate Joint Resolution S.J. Res. 236 -
Indemnification for the Metropolitan Museum of Art
ACTION REQUESTED:
XX
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Please return to Kathy Tindle - West Wing
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions CI if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
Marren K. Hendriks
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
For the President
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON' :
LOG NO.: 702
Date:
October 23, 1974
Time:
6:00 p.m.
FOR ACTION:
Tod Hullin
cc (for information) Warren K. Hendriks
Phil Buchen
Jerry Jones
Bill Timmons
Paul Theis
NSC/S
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date: Friday, October 25, 1974
Time:
2:00 p.m.
SUBJECT: Enrolled Senate Joint Resolution S.J. Res. 236 -
Indemnification for the Metropolitan Museum of Art
ACTION REQUESTED:
XX
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Please return to Kathy Tindle - West Wing
Kathy:
recomend approval.
It
10-24-74
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
Warren K. Hendriks
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
For the President
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.: 702
Date:
October 23, 1974
Time:
6:00 p.m.
FOR ACTION: Tod Hullin
CC (for information) Warren K. Hendriks
Phil Buchen
Jerry Jones
Bill Timmons
Paul Theis
NSC/S
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date: Friday, October 25, 1974
Time:
2:00 p.m.
SUBJECT: Enrolled Senate Joint Resolution S.J. Res. 236 -
Indemnification for the Metropolitan Museum of Art
ACTION REQUESTED:
XX
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Please return to Kathy Tindle - West Wing
No objection
D.C.
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you. have any questions or if you anticipate a:
delay in submitting the required material, please
Warren K. Hendriks
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
For the President
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.: 702
Date:
October 23, 1974
Time:
6:00 p.m.
FOR ACTION: Tod Hullin
CC (for information) Warren K. Hendriks
Phil Buchen
Jerry Jones
Bill Timmons
Paul Theis
NSC/S
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date: Friday, October 25, 1974
Time: 2:00 p.m.
SUBJECT: Enrolled Senate Joint Resolution S.J. Res. 236 -
Indemnification for the Metropolitan Museum of Art
ACTION REQUESTED:
XX
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Please return to Kathy Tindle - West Wing
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
K. R. COLE, JR.
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
For the President
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
ACTION
Last Day - October 29
MEMO FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
KEN COLE
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Senate Joint Resolution
S.J. Res. 236
Indemnification for the
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Attached for your consideration is Senate Joint Resolution
236, sponsored by Senators Pell and Javits, which authorizes
the Secretary of State to enter into an agreement with the
Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York to indemnify the
Museum against any substantial losses growing out of the
transit or exhibition of certain paintings in the Soviet
Union.
Roy Ash etc,
The NSC, the Counsel's office (Chapman) and Bill Timmons a
all recommend approval.
Conniel
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign Senate Joint Resolution 236 (Tab B).
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
in
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
5.15pm. 23-7-A DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
OCT 23 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Subject: Enrolled Senate Joint Resolution S.J. Res. 236 -
Indemnification for the Metropolitan Museum
of Art
Sponsor - Senator Pell (D) Rhode Island and
Senator Javits (R) New York
Last Day for Action
October 29, 1974 - - Tuesday
Purpose
Authorizes the Secretary of State to enter into an agree-
ment with the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York to
indemnify the Museum against any substantial losses growing
out of the transit or exhibition of certain paintings in
the Soviet Union.
Agency Recommendations
Office of Management and Budget
Approval
Department of State
Approval (Informally)
National Endowment for
the Humanities
Approval
National Endowment for the Arts
Approval
Smithsonian Institution
Approval (Informally)
Discussion
Under. a 1973 cultural exchange agreement between the United
States and the Soviet Union, certain Soviet works of art
will be sent to this country for exhibition next year,
93D CONGRESS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
REPORT
2d Session
No. 93-1444
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM EXHIBITION IN THE
SOVIET UNION
OCTOBER 8, 1974.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State
of the Union and ordered to be printed
Mr. HAYS, from the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
submitted the following
REPORT
[To accompany H.J. Res. 1115]
The Committee on Foreign Affairs, to whom was referred the joint
resolution (H.J. Res. 1115) to provide for the indemnification of the
Metropolitan Museum of New York for loss or damage suffered by
objects in exhibition in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics having
considered the same, report favorably thereon with amendments and
recommend that the joint resolution as amended do pass.
The amendments are as follows:
1. On the first page, line 7, strike out "any".
2. Page 2, beginning in line 5, strike out "The agreement" and all
that follows down through "Socialist Republics." in line 9 and insert
in lieu thereof the following:
The agreement concluded by the Secretary of State shall pro-
vide for such indemnification-
"(1) during the period the works of art are in transit
from the premises of said museum, on exhibition in the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and returning to
said premises; and
" (2) only for substantial loss or damage as determined
by the Secretary of State.
In the case of a claim for loss or damage with respect to an
item or items which are covered under such agreement, the
Secretary shall certify the validity of the claim and the
amount of the loss to the Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives and the President of the Senate. There are author-
ized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to
carry out an agreement concluded pursuant to this joint
resolution.
38-008
2
3
COMMITTEE ACTION
ternational exchanges of works of art-both in our own ex-
perience and that of major museums around the world of
House Joint Resolution 1115 was introduced by Representative John
which we are aware-have never exceeded $25,000. This
Brademas for himself and Representative Wayne L. Hays on Au-
record has been made possible, in part, by the highest profes-
gust 22, 1974. It was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and
sional standards of security and handling of works of art.
considered by the committee on October 8, 1974. It was ordered
favorably reported with amendments on that date.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS
PURPOSE
The committee amendments (1) extend coverage for indemnification
during transit to and from the Soviet Union as well as during the
The purpose of House Joint Resolution 1115 is to authorize the
exhibit itself in the Soviet Union; (2) limit indemnification to sub-
Secretary of State to conclude an agreement with the Metropolitan
stantial loss or damage; and (3) provide that the Secretary of State
Museum of Art in New York City for indemnification to the Museum
will certify the validity of the claim and the amount of the loss to the
for loss or damage it may incur in connection with its exhibit in the
Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the
Soviet Union.
Senate. An authorization for an appropriation to pay indemnification,
BACKGROUND
should any be established, is included.
The exhibit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the Soviet Union
COST
is pursuant to an agreement of 1973 between former President Nixon
and Chairman Brezhnev under which the 2 countries agreed to render
The committee amendments have the effect of limiting the liability
assistance to the exchanges of exhibitions between the museums of the
of the Government to loss or damage that is "substantial". This elimi-
United States and the Soviet Union.
nates the possibility of a claim for such an item as a damaged picture
The first exchange is scheduled to take place in April 1975 with the
frame or for any other damage that does not reduce the value of the
Soviet Union sending to the Metropolitan Museum and to the Los
portraits themselves. Given the precautions taken in handling and
Angeles County Museum the finest exhibition ever mounted of their
shipping and the safety record that museums have established in mov-
incomparable collections of gold and silver objects from the 5th cen-
ing their exhibits, it is unlikely that the U.S. will be called upon for
tury B.C. civilization of the Scythians. In return the Metropolitan
any indemnification.
will send to the Soviet Union 100 of its most important paintings from
CONCLUSIONS
the 16th to the 19th centuries. The estimated value of these paintings
is $75 million.
The Department of State regards this exhibit as an important
Under the terms of the agreement with the Soviet Ministry of Cul-
element in its international cultural exchange program. It will offer
ture each participant pays for expenses incurred in its own country
the people of the Soviet Union an opportunity to see an aspect of
for the installation and security of the works of art as well as shipping
American cultural life and of American taste and creativity not
and insurance coverage for its own material. All other expenses of the
readily perceived through ordinary methods of communication. As a
exhibit will be shared between the National Endowment for the Hu-
collection of great works of art, these paintings from the Metro-
manities and private monies brought in through fund raising efforts
politan's collection will, in effect, allow the United States to put its
of the Metropolitan Museum.
best foot forward in an area of particular interest to the Soviet people.
A precedent for this legislation may be found in P.L. 93-287 enacted
in May 1974. That law authorized the Secretary of State to conclude
an agreement with the People's Republic of China for indemnification
for loss or damage to objects in the exhibition of the archeological finds
of China while in the possession of the U.S. Government.
Private insurance for the Museum's paintings that are to be exhib-
ited in the Soviet Union is $400,000. This is a prohibitive sum for a
private museum to advance from its limited resources. In a letter to
Representative Brademas the President of the Metropolitan Museum
of Art, Mr. Douglas Dillon, wrote:
*** It is the Metropolitan's policy to limit the dollar value
of any shipment of art on any single aircraft SO as to mini-
mize the exposure to catastrophe. In the past, for example, we
have limited such shipments to $5 million per plane. The
record is worth noting. Damages and/or losses in major in-
H.R. 1444
H.R. 1444
S. J. Res. 236
Ainety-third Congress of the United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the twenty-first day of January,
one thousand nine hundred and seventy-four
Joint Resolution
To provide for the indemnification of the Metropolitan Museum of New York
for loss or damage suffered by objects in exhibition in the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of State
(or such officer of the Department of State as he may designate) is
authorized to conclude an agreement with the Metropolitan Museum
of Art, located in New York, New York, for indemnification of such
museum, in accordance with the terms of such agreement, for loss or
damage suffered by objects in an exhibition of such museum in the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics pursuant to an agreement between
such museum and the Ministry of Culture of the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics, which agreement was made in accordance with
the general agreement on contracts, exchanges, and cooperation,
signed July 19, 1973, by the United States and the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics. The agreement concluded by the Secretary of
State shall provide for such indemnification-
(1) during the period the works of art are in transit from the
premises of said museum, on exhibition in the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics, and returning to said premises; and
(2) only for substantial loss or damage as determined by the
Secretary of State.
In the case of a claim for loss or damage with respect to an item or
items which are covered under such agreement, the Secretary shall
certify the validity of the claim and the amount of the loss to the
Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the
Senate. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may
be necessary to carry out an agreement concluded pursuant to this
joint resolution.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.
HI
October 17, 1974
Dear Mr. Director:
The following bills were received at the White House on
October 17th:
S.J. Res. 236
S. 2840
H.R. 7768
H.R. 14225
S.J. Res. 250
S. 3007
H.R. 7780
H.R. 14597
S.J. Res. 251
S. 3234
H.R. 11221
H.R. 15148
S. 355
S. 3473
H.R. 11251
H.R. 15427
S. 605
S. 3698
H.R. 11452
H.R. 15540
S. 628
S. 3792
H.R. 11830!
H.R. 15643
S. 1411
S. 3838
H.R. 12035
H.R. 16857
S. 1412
S. 3979
H.R. 12281
H.R. 17027
S. 1769
H.R. 6624
H.R. 13561
S. 2348
H.R. 6642
H.R. 13631
Please let the President have reports and recommendations
as to the approval of these bills as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Robert D. Linder
Chief Executive Clerk
The Honorable Roy L. Ash
Director
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D. C.