John Sarbanes: “For nearly 40 years, researchers and scientists at SCMRE have been leaders in the field of preservation research and…”

“For nearly 40 years, researchers and scientists at SCMRE have been leaders in the field of preservation research and analysis. They have contributed greatly to the conservation efforts of museums and institutions throughout the nation and around the world by offering training programs and technical assistance. I would like to quote from an editorial that appeared on May 8 in the New York Times that captures the importance of preserving this facility: . . . [C]aring for artworks, which can often be done in museum labs, is far different from scientifically studying how to care for them. Over the years, the Materials Research Center has created an extensive store of archaeological data based on its work on collections from around the world. It makes no sense for the Smithsonian--the most remarkable accumulation of objects on earth--to close a national laboratory whose very purpose is to analyze the material basis of its collections. I thank the chairman for his time and commend him for his leadership and assistance in this matter.”