Dear Dr. Alberts:

In accordance with Bylaw V-6 of the National Academy of Sciences, the firm of KPMG LLP was retained to conduct an audit of the accounts of the Treasurer for the year ended December 31, 2000, and to report to the Auditing Committee.

The independent accountants have completed their audit of the financial statements and have submitted their report, a copy of which is attached, concerning financial statements to which they refer. The Auditing Committee has reviewed the report and recommends its acceptance in compliance with the governing bylaw and that the opinion of the independent accountants be published with the report of the Treasurer.