8 



Annals of the Smithsonian Institution 2000 



from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory figured in 

 nine of them. 



We are ever mindful of our education mission. Last year, 

 more than 6.5 million schoolchildren visited us. More than 

 24,000 teachers benefited from our training and develop- 

 ment programs, and they used what they learned to teach 

 tens of thousands of students. 



It takes money to support all these efforts, and our finan- 

 cial underpinnings are solid. The Smithsonian's net worth 

 has increased nearly 40 percent in just two years, and for the 

 first time, it has passed the $1.5 billion mark. 



Private-sector fund-raising totals at the Smithsonian have 

 reached an all-time high, rising from S40 million in 1996, 

 to $147 million in 1999, to $206.6 million in 2000. We 

 received our largest commitment ever, $100 million, with a 

 new $80 million gift to the National Museum of American 

 History from philanthropist Kenneth E. Behring, who had 

 previously given $20 million to the National Museum of 

 Natural History. Record-breaking individual gift commit- 

 ments were also received this year by the Archives of 

 American Art, National Portrait Gallery, National Postal 

 Museum, National Zoological Park, Program for Asian 

 Pacific American Studies, Smithsonian American Art Mu- 

 seum, and Smithsonian Institution Libraries. 



We are making significant progress, yet we need addi- 

 tional funding to deal with desperately needed repairs to 

 some decaying buildings. Peeling paint, dripping water, and 



tailing plaster are all-too-common sights. We have 400 

 buildings; several are historic landmarks, and one has been 

 around for 164 years. 



With our backlog in excess of $600 million in repairs and 

 renovations, we are working to create a bipartisan consensus 

 to get the federal funding needed to bring these buildings 

 up to standard. Added to the $900 million required to com- 

 plete projects the Smithsonian has taken on over the last few 

 years, the total we must raise in the public and private sec- 

 tors is well over $1.5 billion. This is a daunting goal, but an 

 achievable one. 



The Smithsonian has taken a giant step forward into the 

 new century. Our progress wouldn't be possible without 

 the dedication of the exceptional people who work here. It 

 wouldn't be possible without the support of the American 

 taxpayer. It wouldn't be possible without the knowledgeable 

 volunteers and generous donors who contribute their time 

 and money. We are all committed to the Smithsonian's time- 

 honored mission, the "increase and diffusion of knowledge." 



Inspired Smithsonian people are exploring, studying, and 

 discovering every day, in the laboratory, the library, and the 

 rainforest, here on Earth, and billions of light years into 

 space. In all these places, the Smithsonian is active and in- 

 volved, and transforming itself into a true twenty-first- 

 century institution. 



Today, our nation numbers 281 million strong. Ulti- 

 mately, our goal is to touch the lives of all these Americans. 



