African American museum gets going

A year after winning construction approval from Congress and President Bush, the Smithsonian Institution said Tuesday it is about to receive the first federal appropriation for the planned National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The $3.9-million appropriation for 2005 will be used for engineering studies, planning and staffing, the Smithsonian said.

The institution also announced that it has appointed 19 members to the African American museum’s council. Among them: talk show host Oprah Winfrey, composer Quincy Jones, Time Warner Chairman Richard D. Parsons, Howard University President H. Patrick Swygert, American Express Chairman Kenneth I. Chenault and IBM Chairman Samuel J. Palmisano.