_ Patterson Belknap Webb a Tyler u- 1133 Averue of the Americas New York, NY 10036-6710 212.336.2000 fax 212.336.2222 _wwnw.pbwt com Tune 1, 2009 etn Sere ater (212) 336-2760 Diect Fax (22) 36-789 Fare@pbacom Hon. Richard L. Brodsky ‘New York State Assembly LOB 422 Albany, NY 12248 BrodskR @assembly.state.ny.us Hon, Jose Serrano New York State Senate Legislative Office Building 848 Albany, NY 12247 serrano@senate.state.ny.us Re: An Act to Amend the Education Law, in Relation to the Deaccessioning of Property by Museums - Bill A6959/S4584 Dear Assembly Member Brodsky and Senator Serrano: At the request of the nonprofit organizations listed below, I forward the attached letter from them to you concerning the above-referenced bill. Sincerely ir at Sare ce: Alliance for the Arts (c/o Mr. Randall Bourscheidt, President) Hispanic Society of America (c/o Mr. Minor Warner, Chairman, Board of Trustees) International Center of Photography (c/o Mr. Willis Hartshorn, Director) The Jewish Museum (c/o Ms. Joan Rosenbaum, Director) Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. (c/o Lesley F. Rosenthal, Esq., Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel) Metropolitan Museum of Art (c/o Sharon H. Cott, Esq., Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel) Museum of Modern Art (c/o Patty Lipshutz, Esq., Secretary and General Counsel) Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York (c/o Mr. Jonathan Small) Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation (c/o Sarah Austrian, Esq., General Counsel) The Studio Museum of Harlem (c/o Ms. Thelma Golden, Director) 3348479v.1June 1, 2009 Page 2 ‘The Vivian Beaumont Theater, Inc. d/b/a Lincoln Center Theater (c/o Mr. David S. Brown, Director of Finance) Whitney Museum of American Art (c/o Nicholas Holmes, Esq., Legal Officer) Wildlife Conservation Society (c/o William B. McKeown, Esq. Senior Vice President and General Counsel) 3348475v.1June 1, 2009 Hon. Richard L. Brodsky New York State Assembly LOB 422 Albany, NY 12248 BrodskR@assembly. state.ny 1s Hon. Jose Serrano ‘New York State Senate Legislative Office Building 848 Albany, NY 12247 serrano@senate,state.ny.us Re: An Act to Amend the Education Law, in Relation to the Deaccessioning of Property by Museums - Bill AG959/S4584 ‘Dear Assembly Member Brodsky and Senator Serrano: The undersigned respectfully urge that legislative action on deaccessioning by institutions located in New York State be deferred until stakeholders and representatives of the public have had the opportunity to comment more fully on the current bill and any revised version that may be in preparation. A deaccessioning law would have far-reaching implications and could affect our state and its charitable and educational institutions for generations to come. It is critical, therefore, that the provisions of any such law be carefully considered, to ensure that the law is crafted in a way that best achieves its intended purposes yet avoids consequences that may be unintended. Although some of the undersigned have already provided some comment on the bill as currently drafted, and others may have additional and/or different comments, we are united in our belief that the public interest will best be served if the proposed measure is tabled at this time. We would then welcome the opportunity, prior to the next legislative session, for further comment and dialogue. Sincerely yours, Alliance for the Arts Hispanic Society of America International Center of Photography The Jewish Museum Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. Metropolitan Museum of Art ‘Museum of Modern Art ‘Nonprofit Coordinating Committee Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation ‘The Studio Museum of Harlem The Vivian Beaumont Theater, Inc. d/b/a Lincoln Center Theater Whitney Museum of American Art Wildlife Conservation Society 3347641v.1