The National Zoological Park is placed under the direction of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, who are authorized to transfer to it any living specimens, whether of animals or plants, in their charge, to accept gifts for the park at their discretion, in the name of the United States, to make exchanges of specimens, and to administer and improve the said Zoological Park for the advancement of science and the instruction and recreation of the people.
(Apr. 30, 1890, ch. 173, §2, 26 Stat. 78; Pub. L. 87–360, Oct. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 779.)
1961—Pub. L. 87–360 inserted "and improve" after "administer".
The National Zoological Park was established under provisions of the District of Columbia Appropriation Act for the Fiscal Year 1890, act Mar. 2, 1889, ch. 370, §4, 25 Stat. 808, which constituted a commission to select from a certain district along Rock Creek a tract of land, including a section of the creek, suitable for a zoological park, and to purchase the land so selected, or take proceedings for the condemnation thereof, the United States to have title to the land on payment therefor to the owners.
The Rock Creek Park was established by act Sept. 27, 1890, ch. 1001, 26 Stat. 492.
The Potomac Park was established by act Mar. 3, 1897, ch. 375, 29 Stat. 624.
Certain parcels of land were added to the National Zoological Park by acts June 5, 1920, ch. 235, §1, 41 Stat. 892; Mar. 4, 1921, ch. 161, §1, 41 Stat. 1384.
Provisions for a parkway connecting Potomac Park with Zoological Park and Rock Creek Park were made by act Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 147, §27, 37 Stat. 885.
The heads of executive departments of the Government are authorized and directed to cause to be rendered all necessary and practicable aid to the said Regents in the acquisition of collections for the Zoological Park.
(Apr. 30, 1890, ch. 173, §3, 26 Stat. 78.)
Section, act Aug. 18, 1894, ch. 301, §1, 28 Stat. 384, which required that a detailed report of expenses on account of the National Zoological Park be made to Congress at the beginning of each regular session, terminated, effective May 15, 2000, pursuant to section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance. See, also, page 192 of House Document No. 103–7.
All plans and specifications for the construction of buildings and bridges in the National Zoological Park shall be prepared under the supervision of the Smithsonian Institution.
(Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 355, §1, 37 Stat. 437; 1966 Reorg. Plan No. 4, eff. Aug. 23, 1966, 31 FR 11137, 80 Stat. 1611.)
Prepared by the President and transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled, June 13, 1966, pursuant to the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949, 63 Stat. 203, as amended [see 5 U.S.C. 901 et seq.].
All those functions of the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia which were vested in the municipal architect of the District of Columbia by the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1912, c. 355, 37 Stat. 437 (20 U.S.C. 84; D.C. Code [former] §8–134), in respect of buildings of the National Zoological Park, and all functions of that Board which were vested in the engineer of bridges of the District of Columbia by those provisions in respect of bridges of the National Zoological Park, are hereby transferred to the Smithsonian Institution.
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1966, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949, as amended, and providing for a reorganization relating to the National Zoological Park located in the District of Columbia.
Today, all responsibilities for the administration of the park are vested in the Smithsonian Institution with one exception—the function of preparing plans and specifications for the construction of buildings and bridges at the zoo. That statutory responsibility is now conducted by the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia [now the Mayor].
Under the accompanying reorganization plan, the responsibility for the preparation of these plans and specifications would be transferred from the District of Columbia Board of Commissioners to the Smithsonian. The complete administration of the park would then be vested in one agency—the Smithsonian Institution. This will allow the more efficient and effective development and management of the park.
In 1912, the functions to be transferred were vested in the Municipal Architect of the District of Columbia and in the Engineers of the Bridges of the District of Columbia. In 1952, they were transferred to the Board of Commissioners.
When the 1912 act was passed, the District of Columbia shared the costs of capital improvements in the National Zoological Park. In 1961, it ceased sharing these costs, and the Federal Government assumed complete responsibility for financing the improvements. Accordingly, the District government retains no capital improvement responsibilities for the National Zoological Park except those functions relating to construction plans and specifications for buildings and bridges, as specified in the 1912 statute. Upon the transfer of these remaining functions to the Smithsonian Institution, the administration of the National Zoological Park will, at last, be fully centered in one agency. It is not practicable at this time, however, to itemize the resulting reduction in expenditures.
I have found, after investigation, that each reorganization included in the accompanying reorganization plan is necessary to accomplish one or more of the purposes set forth in section 2(a) of the Reorganization Act of 1949, as amended.
I recommend that the Congress allow the reorganization plan to become effective.
Lyndon B. Johnson.
The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, in furtherance of the mission of the National Zoological Park to provide for the advancement of science and instruction and recreation of the people, is authorized to negotiate agreements granting concessions at the National Zoological Park to nonprofit scientific, educational, or historic organizations. The net proceeds of such organizations gained from such concessions granted under this subsection shall be used exclusively for research and educational work for the benefit of the National Zoological Park.
The Smithsonian Institution is authorized to accept the voluntary services of such organizations, and the voluntary services of individuals, for the benefit of the National Zoological Park.
(Pub. L. 89–772, Nov. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 1322.)