Head of Smithsonian Institution Resigns

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Smithsonian Institution secretary Lawrence M. Small has resigned under pressure following revelations regarding his housing allowance and office and travel expenditures, The Washington Post reports.

Congressional criticism of Small’s leadership began to grow after articles in The Washington Post detailed $2 million in housing and office expenditures by Small, as well as $90,000 in unauthorized expenses. And last week, several lawmakers denounced what Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa called Small’s “Dom Perignon lifestyle.”

On March 22, the full Senate voted to freeze a $17 million increase to the proposed 2008 budget for the Smithsonian—which includes 18 museums, several research centers and the National Zoo.

“Making the Smithsonian more bureaucratic and political … is not, in my view, conducive to sustaining the momentum the Smithsonian enjoys today and, therefore, I'm very troubled about what I see happening,” Small wrote in his resignation letter. “I really see no compelling reason for me to continue to lead the Smithsonian and resign from my position effective immediately.”

Cristian Samper, a biologist who heads the National Museum of Natural History, was named acting secretary.

The Washington Post: Smithsonian’s Small Quits in Wake of Inquiry