United States Government Manual: America's Official Government Handbook - Agencies of the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive Branches
Edition: Version 1.0 – 09/2010
Smashwords Edition
Reality Now Press
Copyright 2010 Progressive Management
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 3: Architect of the Capitol
Chapter 4: United States Botanic Garden
Chapter 5: Government Accountability Office
Chapter 6: Government Printing Office
Chapter 7: Library of Congress
Chapter 8: Congressional Budget Office
Chapter 10: The Supreme Court of the United States
Chapter 11: Administrative Office of the United States Courts
Chapter 12: Federal Judicial Center
Chapter 13: United States Sentencing Commission
Chapter 15: The President of the United States
Chapter 16: The Vice President of the United States
Chapter 17: Executive Office of the President
Chapter 18: The White House Office
Chapter 19: Office of the Vice President of the United States
Chapter 20: Council of Economic Advisers
Chapter 21: Council on Environmental Quality
Chapter 22: National Security Council
Chapter 23: Office of Administration
Chapter 24: Office of Management and Budget
Chapter 25: Office of National Drug Control Policy
Chapter 26: Office of Policy Development
Chapter 27: Office of Science and Technology Policy
Chapter 28: Office of the United States Trade Representative
Chapter 29: Executive Agencies
Chapter 30: Department of Agriculture
Chapter 31: Department of Commerce
Chapter 32: Department of Defense
Chapter 33: Department of the Air Force
Chapter 34: Department of the Army
Chapter 35: Department of the Navy
Chapter 37: Joint Service Schools
Chapter 38: Department of Education
Chapter 39: Department of Energy
Chapter 40: Department of Health and Human Services
Chapter 41: Department of Homeland Security
Chapter 42: Department of Housing and Urban Development
Chapter 43: Department of the Interior
Chapter 44: Department of Justice
Chapter 45: Department of Labor
Chapter 46: Department of State
Chapter 47: Department of Transportation
Chapter 48: Department of the Treasury
Chapter 49: Department of Veterans Affairs
Chapter 50: Independent Establishments and Government Corporations
Chapter 51: African Development Foundation
Chapter 52: Broadcasting Board of Governors
Chapter 53: Central Intelligence Agency
Chapter 54: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Chapter 55: Consumer Product Safety Commission
Chapter 56: Corporation for National and Community Service
Chapter 57: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
Chapter 58: Environmental Protection Agency
Chapter 59: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Chapter 60: Export-Import Bank of the United States
Chapter 61: Farm Credit Administration
Chapter 62: Federal Communications Commission
Chapter 63: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Chapter 64: Federal Election Commission
Chapter 65: Federal Housing Finance Agency
Chapter 66: Federal Labor Relations Authority
Chapter 67: Federal Maritime Commission
Chapter 68: Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
Chapter 69: Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission
Chapter 70: Federal Reserve System
Chapter 71: Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
Chapter 72: Federal Trade Commission
Chapter 73: General Services Administration
Chapter 74: Inter-American Foundation
Chapter 75: Merit Systems Protection Board
Chapter 76: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Chapter 77: National Archives and Records Administration
Chapter 78: National Capital Planning Commission
Chapter 79: National Credit Union Administration
Chapter 80: National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities
Chapter 81: National Endowment for the Arts
Chapter 82: National Endowment for the Humanities
Chapter 83: Institute of Museum and Library Services
Chapter 84: National Labor Relations Board
Chapter 85: National Mediation Board
Chapter 86: National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)
Chapter 87: National Science Foundation
Chapter 88: National Transportation Safety Board
Chapter 89: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Chapter 90: Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
Chapter 91: Office of the Director of National Intelligence
Chapter 92: Office of Government Ethics
Chapter 93: Office of Personnel Management
Chapter 94: Office of Special Counsel
Chapter 95: Overseas Private Investment Corporation
Chapter 97: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
Chapter 98: Postal Regulatory Commission
Chapter 99: Railroad Retirement Board
Chapter 100: Securities and Exchange Commission
Chapter 101: Selective Service System
Chapter 102: Small Business Administration
Chapter 103: Social Security Administration
Chapter 104: Tennessee Valley Authority
Chapter 105: Trade and Development Agency
Chapter 106: United States Agency for International Development
Chapter 107: United States Commission on Civil Rights
Chapter 108: United States International Trade Commission
Chapter 109: United States Postal Service
Chapter 110: Guide to Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Chapter 111: Quasi-Official Agencies Legal Services Corporation
Chapter 112: Smithsonian Institution
Chapter 113: State Justice Institute
Chapter 114: United States Institute of Peace
Chapter 115: DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Chapter 116: CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
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The United States Government Manual 2009/2010
Office of the Federal Register
National Archives and Records Administration
Revised September 15, 2009
Raymond A. Mosley, Director of the Federal Register
Adrienne C. Thomas, Acting Archivist of the United States
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PUBLISHER'S NOTE: This is an abridged version of the full Manual; for formatting reasons, complex graphics are not included. Coverage of headquarters-level information is provided.
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This edition of The United States Government Manual marks the 75th anniversary of the National Archives and celebrates its important mission to ensure access to the essential documentation of Americans' rights and the actions of their Government. The cover displays an image of the Rotunda and the Declaration Mural, one of the 1936 Faulkner Murals in the Rotunda at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Building in Washington, DC.
The National Archives Rotunda is the permanent home of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. These three documents, known collectively as the Charters of Freedom, have secured the rights of the American people for more than two and a quarter centuries. In 2003, the National Archives completed a massive restoration effort that included conserving the parchment of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, and re-encasing the documents in state-of-the-art containers.
In 1936, Barry Faulkner created two large-scale murals in the Rotunda depicting fictional scenes of the presentation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Each mural is about 13 feet high and 34 feet long. In September 2003, the murals were restored and also recreated as an interactive feature on NARA's Web site: www.archives.gov/nae/visit/rotunda.html. Flanking the permanent display of the Charters and the murals is the exhibit, "A New World Is At Hand,'' a selection of documents from the National Archives' holdings that chronicle milestones toward the creation of the Charters and their impact on United States and world history. Each year more than a million visitors come to the Rotunda of the National Archives to see the Charters of Freedom and the Faulkner Murals, which adorn its walls.
The Office of the Federal Register, publisher of The United States Government Manual, was established as a division of the National Archives in 1935 and moved into the new National Archives building with the other four divisions of the new agency on November 8, 1935.
We extend special thanks to the Creative and Digital Media Services at the Government Printing Office for its artistic contributions in designing the cover.
Preface
As the official handbook of the Federal Government, The United States Government Manual provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The Manual also includes information on quasi-official agencies; international organizations in which the United States participates; and boards, commissions, and committees. A typical agency description includes a list of principal officials, a summary statement of the agency's purpose and role in the Federal Government, a brief history of the agency, including its legislative or executive authority, a description of its programs and activities, and a "Sources of Information'' section. This last section provides information on consumer activities, contracts and grants, employment, publications, and many other areas of public interest. The 2009/2010 Manual was prepared by the Presidential and Legislative Publications Unit, Office of the Federal Register. Alfred W. Jones was Managing Editor; Matthew R. Regan was Chief Editor, assisted by Heather McDaniel, Lois Davis, and Joseph Frankovic.
The Federal Register and Its Special Editions
The Manual is published as a special edition of the Federal Register (see 1 CFR 9.1). Its focus is on programs and activities. Persons interested in detailed organizational structure, the regulatory documents of an agency, or Presidential documents should refer to the Federal Register or one of its other special editions, described below. Issued each Federal working day, the Federal Register provides a uniform system for publishing Presidential documents, regulatory documents with general applicability and legal effect, proposed rules, notices, and documents required to be published by statute. The Code of Federal Regulations is an annual codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register. The Code is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation. The Code is kept up to date by the individual issues of the Federal Register. The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents serves as a timely, up-to-date reference source for the public policies and activities of the President. It contains remarks, news conferences, messages, statements, and other Presidential material of a public nature issued by the White House during the week reported. A companion publication to the Weekly Compilation is the Public Papers of the Presidents, which contains public Presidential documents and speeches in convenient book form. Volumes of the Public Papers have been published for every President since Herbert Hoover, with the exception of Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose papers were published privately.
Other Office of the Federal Register Publications
The Office of the Federal Register publishes slip laws, which are pamphlet prints of each public and private law enacted by Congress. Slip laws are compiled annually as the United States Statutes at Large. The Statutes volumes contain all public and private laws and concurrent resolutions enacted during a session of Congress; recommendations for executive, legislative, and judicial salaries; reorganization plans; proposed and ratified amendments to the Constitution; and Presidential proclamations. Included with many of these documents are sidenotes, U.S. Code and statutes citations, and a summary of their legislative histories.
Publication Availability
The publications of the Office of the Federal Register are available for sale by writing to the following address:
Superintendent of Documents P.O. Box 371954 Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954
Publications are also available for sale through the Government Printing Office online bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov, the Government Printing Office bookstore located in Washington, DC, and the retail sales outlet in Laurel, MD. Telephone inquiries should be directed to 202-512-1800.
Electronic Services
The Office of the Federal Register maintains an Internet site for public law numbers, the Federal Register's public inspection list, and information on the Office and its activities at www.archives.gov/federal-register. This site also contains links to the texts of The United States Government Manual, public laws, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, the Federal Register, and the Code of Federal Regulations (both as officially published on a quarterly basis and a new unofficial, daily updated version, the e-CFR) in electronic format through GPO Access. For more information about these online publications, contact Electronic Information Dissemination Services, U.S. Government Printing Office. Phone, 202-512-1530, or 888-293-6498. Internet, www.gpoaccess.gov. Email, gpoaccess@gpo.gov.
Further Information - Information on The United States Government Manual and other publications of the Office of the Federal Register may be obtained by writing to the following address: Office of the Federal Register National Archives and Records Administration Washington, DC 20408. Inquiries should be directed by phone to 202-741-6000, faxed to 202-741-6012, or emailed to fedreg.info@nara.gov.
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Legislative Branch
CONGRESS
One Hundred and Eleventh Congress,
First Session
The Senate
The Capitol,
Washington, DC 20510
Phone, 202-224-3121
President of the Senate (Vice President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, Jr.)
Majority Leader Harry Reid
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
Secretary of the Senate Nancy Erickson
Sergeant at Arms Terrance Gainer
The House of Representatives
The Capitol, Washington, DC 20515
Phone, 202-225-3121
The Congress of the United States was created by Article I, section 1, of the Constitution, adopted by the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, providing that "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.'' The first Congress under the Constitution met on March 4, 1789, in the Federal Hall in New York City. The membership then consisted of 20 Senators and 59 Representatives. New York ratified the Constitution on July 26, 1788, but did not elect its Senators until July 15 and 16, 1789. North Carolina did not ratify the Constitution until November 21, 1789; Rhode Island ratified it on May 29, 1790.
The Senate is composed of 100 Members, 2 from each State, who are elected to serve for a term of 6 years. Senators were originally chosen by the State legislatures. This procedure was changed by the 17th amendment to the Constitution, adopted in 1913, which made the election of Senators a function of the people. There are three classes of Senators, and a new class is elected every 2 years. The House of Representatives comprises 435 Representatives. The number representing each State is determined by population, but every State is entitled to at least one Representative. Members are elected by the people for 2-year terms, all terms running for the same period. Both the Senators and the Representatives must be residents of the State from which they are chosen. In addition, a Senator must be at least 30 years of age and must have been a citizen of the United States for at least 9 years; a Representative must be at least 25 years of age and must have been a citizen for at least 7 years. A Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico (elected for a 4-year term) and Delegates from American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands complete the composition of the Congress of the United States. Delegates are elected for a term of 2 years. The Resident Commissioner and Delegates may take part in the floor discussions but have no vote in the full House. They do, however, vote in the committees to which they are assigned and in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.
Officers The Vice President of the United States is the Presiding Officer of the Senate. In the Vice President's absence, the duties are taken over by a President pro tempore, elected by that body, or someone designated by the President pro tempore. The Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives, the Speaker, is elected by the House. The Speaker may designate any Member of the House to act in the Speaker's absence. The positions of Senate majority and minority leader have been in existence only since the early years of the 20th century. Leaders are elected at the beginning of each new Congress by a majority vote of the Senators in their political party. In cooperation with their party organizations, leaders are responsible for the design and achievement of a legislative program. This involves managing the flow of legislation, expediting noncontroversial measures, and keeping Members informed regarding proposed action on pending business. Each leader serves as an ex officio member of his party's policymaking and organizational bodies and is aided by an assistant floor leader (whip) and a party secretary. The House leadership is structured essentially the same as the Senate, with the Members in the political parties responsible for the election of their respective leader and whips. The Secretary of the Senate, elected by vote of the Senate, performs the duties of the Presiding Officer of the Senate in the absence of the Vice President and pending the election of a President pro tempore.
The Secretary is the custodian of the seal of the Senate, draws requisitions on the Secretary of the Treasury for moneys appropriated for the compensation of Senators, officers, and employees, and for the contingent expenses of the Senate, and is empowered to administer oaths to any officer of the Senate and to any witness produced before it. The Secretary's executive duties include certification of extracts from the Journal of the Senate; the attestation of bills and joint, concurrent, and Senate resolutions; in impeachment trials, issuance, under the authority of the Presiding Officer, of all orders, mandates, writs, and precepts authorized by the Senate; and certification to the President of the United States of the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification of treaties and the names of persons confirmed or rejected upon the nomination of the President.
The Sergeant at Arms, elected by vote of the Senate, serves as the executive, chief law enforcement, and protocol Officer and is the principal administrative manager for most support services in the Senate. As executive officer, the Sergeant at Arms has custody of the Senate gavel; enforces Senate rules and regulations as they pertain to the Senate Chamber, the Senate wing of the Capitol, and the Senate Office Buildings; and subject to the Presiding Officer, maintains order on the Senate floor, chamber, and galleries.
As chief law enforcement officer of the Senate, the Sergeant at Arms is authorized to maintain security in the Capitol and all Senate buildings, as well as to protect Senators; to arrest and detain any person violating Senate rules; and to locate absentee Senators for a quorum. The Sergeant at Arms serves as a member of the Capitol Police Board and as its chairman each odd year. As protocol officer, the Sergeant at Arms escorts the President and other heads of state or official guests of the Senate who are attending official functions in the Capitol; makes arrangements for funerals of Senators who die in office; and assists in planning the inauguration of the President and organizing the swearing-in and orientation programs for newly elected Senators.
The elected officers of the House of Representatives include the Clerk, the Sergeant at Arms, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Chaplain. The Clerk is custodian of the seal of the House and administers the primary legislative activities of the House. These duties include accepting the credentials of the Members-elect and calling the Members to order at the commencement of the first session of each Congress; keeping the Journal; taking all votes and certifying the passage of bills; and processing all legislation. Through various departments, the Clerk is also responsible for floor and committee reporting services; legislative information and reference services; the administration of House reports pursuant to House rules and certain legislation including the Ethics in Government Act and the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995; the distribution of House documents; and administration of the House Program. The Clerk is also charged with supervision of the offices vacated by Members due to death, resignation, or expulsion.
The Sergeant at Arms maintains the order of the House under the direction of the Speaker and is the keeper of the Mace. As a member of the U.S. Capitol Police Board, the Sergeant at Arms is the chief law enforcement officer for the House and serves as Board Chairman each even year. The ceremonial and protocol duties parallel those of the Senate Sergeant at Arms and include arranging the inauguration of the President of the United States, Joint Sessions of Congress, visits to the House of heads of state, and funerals of Members of Congress. The Sergeant at Arms enforces the rules relating to the privileges of the Hall of the House, including admission to the galleries, oversees garage and parking security of the House, and distributes all House staff identification cards.
Committees The work of preparing and considering legislation is done largely by committees of both Houses of Congress. There are 16 standing committees in the Senate and 19 in the House of Representatives. The standing committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives are shown in the list below. In addition, there are two select committees in each House and various congressional commissions and joint committees composed of Members of both Houses. Each House may also appoint special investigating committees. The membership of the standing committees of each House is chosen by a vote of the entire body; members of other committees are appointed under the provisions of the measure establishing them. Each bill and resolution is usually referred to the appropriate committee, which may report a bill out in its original form, favorably or unfavorably, recommend amendments, report original measures, or allow the proposed legislation to die in committee without action.
Congressional Record Proceedings of Congress are published in the Congressional Record, which is issued each day when Congress is in session. Publication of the Record began March 4, 1873. It was the first record of debate officially reported, printed, and published directly by the Federal Government. The Daily Digest of the Congressional Record, in the back of each issue of the Record, summarizes the proceedings of that day in each House and each of their committees and subcommittees, respectively. The Digest also presents the legislative program for each day and, at the end of the week, gives the program for the following week. Its publication was begun March 17, 1947.Sessions Section 4 of Article I of the Constitution makes it mandatory that "The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year. . . .'' Under this provision, also, the date for convening Congress was designated originally as the first Monday in December, "unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.'' Eighteen acts were passed, up to 1820, providing for the meeting of Congress on other days of the year. From 1820 to 1934, however, Congress met regularly on the first Monday in December. In 1934 the Twentieth Amendment changed the convening of Congress to January 3, unless Congress "shall by law appoint a different day.''
In addition, the President, according to Article II, section 3, of the Constitution "may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper. . . .''Powers of Congress Article I, section 8, of the Constitution defines the powers of Congress. Included are the powers to assess and collect taxes - called the chief power; to regulate commerce, both interstate and foreign; to coin money; to establish post offices and post roads; to establish courts inferior to the Supreme Court; to declare war; and to raise and 31maintain an army and navy. Congress is further empowered "To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;'' and "To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof."
Amendments to the Constitution
Another power vested in the Congress is the right to propose amendments to the Constitution, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary. Should two-thirds of the State legislatures demand changes in the Constitution, it is the duty of Congress to call a constitutional convention. Proposed amendments shall be valid as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures or by conventions of three-fourths of the States, as one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by Congress.
Special Powers of the Senate Under the Constitution, the Senate is granted certain powers not accorded to the House of Representatives. The Senate approves or disapproves certain Presidential appointments by majority vote, and treaties must be concurred in by a two-thirds vote.
Special Powers of the House of Representatives The House of Representatives is granted the power of originating all bills for the raising of revenue. Both Houses of Congress act in impeachment proceedings, which, according to the Constitution, may be instituted against the President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States. The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment, and the Senate has the sole power to try impeachments.
Prohibitions Upon Congress Section 9 of Article I of the Constitution also imposes prohibitions upon Congress. "The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.'' A bill of attainder or an ex post facto law cannot be passed. No export duty can be imposed. Ports of one State cannot be given preference over those of another State. "No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law. . . .'' No title of nobility may be granted.
Rights of Members According to section 6 of Article I, Members of Congress are granted certain privileges. In no case, except in treason, felony, and breach of the peace, can Members be arrested while attending sessions of Congress "and in going to and returning from the same. . . .'' Furthermore, the Members cannot be questioned in any other place for remarks made in Congress. Each House may expel a Member of its body by a two-thirds vote.
Enactment of Laws All bills and joint resolutions must pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate and must be signed by the President, except those proposing a constitutional amendment, in order to become law, or be passed over the President's veto by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress. Section 7 of Article I states: "If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.'' When a bill or joint resolution is introduced in the House, the usual procedure for its enactment into law is as follows:--assignment to House committee having jurisdiction;--if favorably considered, it is reported to the House either in its original form or with recommended amendments;--if the bill or resolution is passed by the House, it is messaged to the Senate and referred to the committee having jurisdiction;--in the Senate committee the bill, if favorably considered, may be reported in the form as received from the House, or with recommended amendments; the approved bill or resolution is reported to the Senate, and if passed by that body, is returned to the House;--if one body does not accept the amendments to a bill by the other body, a conference committee comprised of Members of both bodies is usually appointed to effect a compromise;--when the bill or joint resolution is finally approved by both Houses, it is signed by the Speaker (or Speaker pro tempore) and the Vice President (or President pro tempore or acting President pro tempore) and is presented to the President; and--once the President's signature is affixed, the measure becomes a law. If the President vetoes the bill, it cannot become a law unless it is re-passed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses.
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ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL
U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone, 202-228-1793
ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL Stephen T. Ayers, Acting Deputy Architect/Chief Operating Officer
The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for the care and maintenance of the U.S. Capitol and the buildings and grounds of the Capitol complex. The agency implements construction, renovation, conservation, and landscape improvement projects as authorized by the Congress.
The Architect of the Capitol is charged with operating and maintaining the buildings of the Capitol complex committed to his care by Congress. Permanent authority for the care and maintenance of the Capitol was established by the act of August 15, 1876 (40 U.S.C. 162, 163). The Architect's duties include the mechanical and structural maintenance of the Capitol, the conservation and care of works of art in the building under the Architect's jurisdiction, the upkeep and improvement of the Capitol grounds, and the arrangement of inaugural and other ceremonies held in the building or on the grounds. In addition to the Capitol, the Architect is responsible for the upkeep of all of the congressional office buildings, the Library of Congress buildings, the U.S. Supreme Court building, the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, the Capitol Power Plant, the Capitol Police headquarters, and the Robert A. Taft Memorial. The Architect performs his duties in connection with the Senate side of the Capitol and the Senate office buildings subject to the approval of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. In matters of general policy in connection with the House office buildings, his activities are subject to the approval and direction of the House Office Building Commission. The Architect is under the direction of the Speaker in matters concerning the House side of the Capitol. He is subject to the oversight of the Committee on House Administration with respect to many administrative matters affecting operations on the House side of the Capitol complex. In addition, the Architect of the Capitol serves as the Acting Director of the U.S. Botanic Garden under the Joint Committee on the Library. The position of Architect of the Capitol was historically filled by Presidential appointment for an indefinite term. Legislation enacted in 1989 provides that the Architect is to be appointed for a term of 10 years by the President, with the advice and consent 45of the Senate, from a list of three candidates recommended by a congressional commission. Upon confirmation by the Senate, the Architect becomes an official of the legislative branch as an officer and agent of Congress. He is eligible for reappointment after completion of his term. Recent and ongoing projects carried out by the Architect of the Capitol include construction of the Capitol Visitor Center; conservation of murals and decorative paintings in the Capitol; improvement of speech-reinforcement, electrical, and fire-protection systems in the Capitol and congressional office buildings; work on security improvements within the Capitol complex; renovation, restoration, and modification of the interiors and exteriors of the Thomas Jefferson and John Adams Buildings of the Library of Congress and provision of off-site book storage facilities for the Library; and facility management of the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building.
For further information, contact the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC 20515. Phone, 202-228-1793.
http://www.aoc.gov
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UNITED STATES BOTANIC GARDEN
245 First Street SW.
Washington, DC 20024
Phone, 202-225-6670
Internet, http://www.usbg.gov
Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20001
Phone, 202-226-8333
Production Facility, 4700 Shepherd Parkway SW., Washington, DC 20032
Phone, 202-226-4780
DIRECTOR (Architect of the Capitol) Stephen T. Ayers, Acting
Executive Director - Holly H. Shimizu
The United States Botanic Garden informs visitors about the importance and value of plants to the well-being of humankind and earth's ecosystems. The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. The Garden highlights the diversity of plants worldwide, as well as their aesthetic, cultural, economic, therapeutic, and ecological significance. The USBG encourages plant appreciation and the growth of botanical knowledge through artistic plant displays, exhibits, educational programs, and curation of a large collection of plants. It fosters plant conservation by serving as a repository for endangered species. Uniquely situated at the heart of the U.S. Government, the Garden seeks to promote the exchange of ideas and information relevant to its mission among national and international visitors and policymakers.
The Garden's collections include orchids, epiphytes, bromeliads, carnivorous plants, ferns, cycads, cacti, succulents, medicinal plants, rare and endangered plants, and plants valued as sources of food, beverages, fibers, cosmetics, and industrial products.
The U.S. Botanic Garden's facilities include the Conservatory, the National Garden, Bartholdi Park, an administration building, and an off-site production facility. The Conservatory, one of the largest structures of its kind in this country, reopened on December 11, 2001, after undergoing major renovation that required more than 4 years to complete. In addition to upgraded amenities for visitors, it features 12 exhibit and plant display areas.
The National Garden opened on October 1, 2006. Located on three acres adjacent to the west side of the Conservatory, the National Garden comprises a First Ladies Water Garden, a Butterfly Garden, a Rose Garden celebrating our national flower, a Lawn Terrace, a Regional Garden of native Mid-Atlantic plants, and an amphitheater where visitors may relax and enjoy the stunning views of the U.S. Capitol.
Outdoor plantings are also showcased in Bartholdi Park, a home landscape demonstration area located across from the Conservatory. Each of the displays is sized and scaled for suitability in an urban or suburban setting. The gardens display ornamental plants that perform well in this region arrayed in a variety of styles and themes. Also located in this park is Bartholdi Fountain, created by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904), sculptor of the Statue of Liberty.
The U.S. Botanic Garden's staff is organized into horticulture, operations, administration, and public programs divisions. Programs for the public are listed in a quarterly calendar of events and also on the Garden's Web site. A horticultural hotline and Email address are available to answer questions from the public.
The U.S. Botanic Garden was founded in 1820 under the auspices of the Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences, an organization that was the outgrowth of an association known as the Metropolitan Society, which received its charter from Congress on April 20, 1818. The Garden continued under the direction of the Institute until 1837, when the Institute ceased to exist as an active organization.
In June 1842, the U.S. Exploring Expedition under the command of Captain Charles Wilkes returned from its 4-year voyage with a wealth of information, artifacts, pressed-plant specimens, and living plants from around the world. The living plants were temporarily placed on exhibit on a lot behind the old Patent Office under the care of William D. Brackenridge, the Expedition's botanist. By November 1842, the plants were moved into a greenhouse built there with funds appropriated by Congress. Subsequently, the greenhouse was expanded with two additions and a small growing area to care for the burgeoning collection. In 1843, stewardship of the collection was placed under the direction and control of the Joint Committee on the Library, which had also assumed responsibility for publication of the results of the Expedition. Expansion of the Patent Office in 1849 necessitated finding a new location for the botanical collections.
The act of May 15, 1850 (9 Stat. 427) provided for the relocation of the Botanic Garden under the direction of the Joint Committee on the Library. The site selected was on the National Mall at the west end of the Capitol Grounds, practically the same site the Garden occupied during the period it functioned under the Columbian Institute. This site was later enlarged, and the main area continued to serve as the principal Garden site from 1850 to 1933, when the Garden was relocated to its present site.
Although the Government had assumed responsibility for the maintenance and stewardship of the plant collection in 1842, the two functions were divided between the Commissioner of Public Buildings and the Joint Committee on the Library, respectively. In 1856, in recognition of their increasing stature, the collections and their associated operations and facilities were officially named the United States Botanic Garden, and the Joint Committee on the Library assumed jurisdiction over both its direction and maintenance (11 Stat. 104). An annual appropriation has been provided by Congress since 1856.Presently, the Joint Committee on the Library has supervision over the U.S. Botanic Garden through the Architect of the Capitol, who has held the title of Acting Director since 1934.
For further information concerning the United States Botanic Garden, contact the Public Programs Division, 245 First Street SW., Washington, DC 20024.
Phone, 202-225-8333. Plant Hotline, 202-226-4785.
Internet, http://www.usbg.gov
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GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
441 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20548
Phone, 202-512-3000
Internet http://www.gao.gov
COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES Gene L. Dodaro, Acting
Chief Operating Officer Gene L. Dodaro
The Government Accountability Office is the investigative arm of the Congress and is charged with examining all matters relating to the receipt and disbursement of public funds. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan Agency that works for Congress. GAO is often called the "congressional watchdog'' because it investigates how the Federal Government spends taxpayer dollars. The GAO was established as the General Accounting Office by the Budget Accounting Act of 1921 (31 U.S.C. 702). It was renamed the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the GAO Capital Reform Act of 2004 (31 U.S.C. 702 note).
Activities
GAO gathers information to help Congress determine how effectively executive branch agencies are doing their jobs. GAO's work routinely answers such basic questions as whether Government programs are meeting their objectives or providing good service to the public. Ultimately, GAO ensures that Government is accountable to the American people. To that end, GAO provides Senators and Representatives with the best information available to help them arrive at informed policy decisions--information that is accurate, timely, and balanced. GAO supports congressional oversight by:--evaluating how well Government policies and programs are working;--auditing Agency operations to determine whether Federal funds are being spent efficiently, effectively, and appropriately;--investigating allegation of illegal and improper activities; and--issuing legal decisions and opinions. With virtually the entire Federal Government subject to its review, GAO issues a steady stream of products--more than 1,000 reports and hundreds of testimonies by GAO officials each year. GAO's familiar "blue book'' reports meet short-term immediate needs for information on a wide range of Government operations. These reports also help Congress better understand issues that are newly emerging, long term in nature, and with more far-reaching impacts. GAO's work translates into a wide variety of legislative actions, improvements in Government operations, and billions of dollars in financial benefits for the American people.
For further information, contact the Office of Public Affairs, Government Accountability Office, 441 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20548.
Phone, 202-512-4800. http://www.gao.gov
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GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
732 North Capitol Street NW., Washington, DC 20401
Phone, 202-512-0000
Internet http://www.gpo.gov
PUBLIC PRINTER Robert C. Tapella
Deputy Public Printer and Chief Operating Paul Erickson
The Government Printing Office produces, procures, and disseminates printed and electronic publications of the Congress, executive departments, and establishments of the Federal Government. The Government Printing Office (GPO) opened for business on March 4, 1861. GPO's duties are defined in title 44 of the U.S. Code. The Public Printer, who serves as the head of GPO, is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Activities
Headquartered in Washington, DC, with a total employment of approximately 2,500, GPO is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government. GPO is the Federal Government's primary centralized resource for gathering, cataloging, producing, providing, authenticating, and preserving published information in all its forms. GPO's 1.5-million-square-foot complex is the largest information processing, printing, and distribution facility in the world.
While many of our Nation's most important products, such as the Congressional Record and Federal Register, are produced at GPO's main plant, the majority of the Government's printing needs are met through a long-standing partnership with America's printing industry. GPO procures between 600 and 1,000 print-related projects a day through private sector vendors across the country, competitively buying products and services from thousands of private sector companies in all 50 States. The contracts cover the entire spectrum of printing and publishing services and are available to fit almost any firm from the largest to the smallest. GPO disseminates Federal information products through a sales program, distribution network of more than 1,250 Federal libraries nationwide, and via GPO Access. More than 286,000 Federal Government document titles are available to the public at http://www.gpoaccess.gov.Printed copies of many documents, ranging from Supreme Court opinions to reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, may also be purchased as follows:
To order in person, please visit the GPO Main Bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW., Washington, DC, (corner of North Capitol and H Streets) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., eastern standard time.--To order online, visit the GPO Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov
To order by phone or inquire about an order, call 866-512-1800 or, in the Washington, DC, metro area, call 202-512-1800 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., eastern standard time.--To order by fax, dial 202-512-2104.--To order by email, send inquiries to contactcenter@gpo.gov
To order by mail, write to Information Dissemination (Superintendent of Documents), P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.All orders require prepayment by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover/NOVUS credit cards, check, or SOD deposit account.
Sources of Information
Congressional Relations
Congressional relations matters, phone, 202-512-1991
Public Relations Public relations inquiries, phone, 202-512-1957. Fax, 202-512-1998.
Contracts Commercial printers interested in Government printing contract opportunities should direct inquiries to Customer Services, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20401. Phone, 202-512-0111. Internet http://www.gpo.gov/procurement/index.html.
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20540
Phone, 202-707-5000
Internet http://www.loc.gov
LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS James H. Billington
Chief Operating Officer Jo Ann C. Jenkins
The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States, offering diverse materials for research including the world's most extensive collections in many areas such as American history, music, and law.
The Library of Congress was established by act of April 24, 1800 (2 Stat. 56), appropriating $5,000 "for the purchase of such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress . . . .'' The Library's scope of responsibility has been widened by subsequent legislation (2 U.S.C. 131-168d). The Librarian, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, directs the Library. The Library's first responsibility is service to Congress. As the Library has developed, its range of service has expanded to include the entire governmental establishment and the public at large, making it a national library for the United States and a global resource through its Web site at http://www.loc.gov.
Activities - Collections The Library's extensive collections are universal in scope. They include books, serials, and pamphlets on every subject and in a multitude of languages and research materials in many formats, including maps, photographs, manuscripts, motion pictures, and sound recordings. Among them are the most comprehensive collections of Chinese, Japanese, and Russian language books outside Asia and the former Soviet Union; volumes relating to science and legal materials outstanding for American and foreign law; the world's largest collection of published aeronautical literature; and the most extensive collection in the Western Hemisphere of books printed before 1501 A.D.
The manuscript collections relate to manifold aspects of American history and civilization and include the personal papers of most of the Presidents from George Washington through Calvin Coolidge. The music collections contain volumes and pieces manuscript and published from classic works to the newest popular compositions. Other materials available for research include maps and views; photographic records from the daguerreotype to the latest news photo; recordings, including folksongs and other music, speeches, and poetry readings; prints, drawings, and posters; government documents, newspapers, and periodicals from all over the world; and motion pictures, microforms, audio and video tapes, and digital products.
Reference Resources - Admission to the various research facilities of the Library is free. No introduction or credentials are required for persons over high school age. Readers must register by presenting valid photo identification with a current address, and for certain collections there are additional requirements. As demands for service to Congress and Federal Government agencies increase, reference service available through correspondence has become limited. The Library must decline some requests and refer correspondents to a library within their area that can provide satisfactory assistance. While priority is given to inquiries pertaining to its holdings of special materials or to subjects in which its resources are unique, the Library does attempt to provide helpful responses to all inquirers. Online reference service is also available through the "Ask a Librarian'' site, at http://www.loc.gov/rr/askalib
Copyrights - With the enactment of the second general revision of the U.S. copyright law by Act of July 8, 1870 (16 Stat. 212-217), all activities relating to copyright, including deposit and registration, were centralized in the Library of Congress. The Copyright Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 2541) brought all forms of copyrightable authorship, both published and unpublished, under a single statutory system which gives authors protection immediately upon creation of their works. Exclusive rights granted to authors under the statute include the right to reproduce and prepare derivative works, distribute copies or phonorecords, perform and display the work publicly, and in the case of sound recordings, to perform the work publicly by means of a digital audio transmission. Works eligible for copyright include literary works (books and periodicals), musical works, dramatic works, pantomimes and choreographic works, pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works, motion pictures, sound recordings, vessel hull designs, mask works, and architectural works. Serving in its capacity as a national registry for creative works, the Copyright Office registers more than 500,000 claims to copyright annually (representing more than 800,000 works) and is a major source of acquisitions for the universal collections of the Library of Congress. Most of the information available on paper is also accessible online, at http://www.loc.gov/copyright
Extension of Service - The Library extends its service through the following:
an interlibrary loan system;
the photoduplication, at reasonable cost, of books, manuscripts, maps, newspapers, and prints in its collections;
the sale of sound recordings, which are released by its Recording Laboratory;
the exchange of duplicates with other institutions;
the sale of CD-ROM cataloging tools and magnetic tapes and the publication in book format or microform of cumulative catalogs, which make available the results of the expert bibliographical and cataloging work of its technical personnel;
a centralized cataloging program whereby the Library of Congress acquires material published all over the world, catalogs it promptly, and distributes cataloging information in machine-readable form and other means to the Nation's libraries;
a cooperative cataloging program whereby the cataloging of data, by name authority and bibliographic records, prepared by other libraries becomes part of the Library of Congress database and is distributed through the Cataloging Distribution Service;
a cataloging-in-publication program in cooperation with American publishers for printing cataloging information in current books;
the National Serials Data Program, a national center that maintains a record of serial titles to which International Standard Serial Numbers have been assigned and serves, with this file, as the United States Register; and
the development of general schemes of classification (Library of Congress and Dewey Decimal), subject headings, and cataloging, embracing the entire field of printed matter.
Furthermore, the Library provides for the following: the preparation of bibliographical lists responsive to the needs of Government and research; the maintenance and the publication of cooperative publications;
the publication of catalogs, bibliographical guides, and lists, and of texts of original manuscripts and rare books in the Library of Congress;
the circulation in traveling exhibitions of items from the Library's collections;
the provision of books in braille, electronic access to braille books on the Internet, "talking books,'' and books on tape for the blind and the physically handicapped through 134 cooperating libraries throughout the Nation;
the distribution of its electronic materials via the Internet; and
the provision of research and analytical services on a fee-for-service basis to agencies in the executive and judicial branches. Congressional Research Service The Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides confidential and nonpartisan policy analysis exclusively to the United States Congress. CRS assists Congress in the legislative process by identifying and clarifying current policy problems, exploring potential implications of proposed policies, monitoring and assessing program implementation and oversight, and helping congressional staff understand legislative procedures and processes.
For further information, call 202-707-5700.
American Folklife Center The Center was established in the Library of Congress by Act of January 2, 1976 (20 U.S.C. 2102 et seq.). It supports, preserves, and presents American folklife by receiving and maintaining folklife collections, scholarly research, field projects, performances, exhibitions, festivals, workshops, publications, and audiovisual presentations. The Center has conducted projects in many locations across the country, such as the ethnic communities of Chicago, IL; southern Georgia; a ranching community in northern Nevada; the Blue Ridge Parkway in southern Virginia and northern North Carolina; and the States of New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Montana. The projects have provided large collections of recordings and photographs for the Archive of Folk Culture. The Center administers the Federal Cylinder Project, which is charged with preserving and disseminating music and oral traditions recorded on wax cylinders dating from the late 1800s to the early 1940s. A cultural conservation study was developed at the Center, in cooperation with the Department of the Interior, pursuant to a congressional mandate. Various conferences, workshops, and symposia are given throughout the year. The American Folklife Center maintains and administers the Archive of Folk Culture, an extensive collection of ethnographic materials from this country and around the world. It is the national repository for folk-related recordings, manuscripts, and other unpublished materials. The Center administers the Veterans History Project, which records and preserves the first-person accounts of war veterans. It also participates in Storycorps, a program to record and collect oral histories from people from all walks of life. This collection also resides in the American Folklife Center. The Center's reading room contains over 3,500 books and periodicals; a sizable collection of magazines, newsletters, unpublished theses, and dissertations; field notes; and many textual and some musical transcriptions and recordings.
The Folklife Center News, a quarterly newsletter, and other informational publications are available upon request. Many Center publications and a number of collections are available online through the Internet, at http://www.loc.gov/folklife. For further information, call 202-707-5510.
Center for the Book - The Center was established in the Library of Congress by an act of October 13, 1977 (2 U.S.C. 171 et seq.), to stimulate public interest in books, reading, and libraries, and to encourage the study of books and print culture. The Center is a catalyst for promoting and exploring the vital role of books, reading, and libraries, nationally and internationally. As a partnership between the Government and the private sector, the Center for the Book depends on tax-deductible contributions from individuals and corporations to support its programs. The Center's activities are directed toward the general public and scholars. The overall program includes reading promotion projects with television and radio networks, symposia, lectures, exhibitions, special events, and publications. More than 90 national educational and civic organizations participate in the Center's annual reading promotion campaign. All 50 States and the District of Columbia have established statewide book centers that are affiliated with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. State centers plan and fund their own projects, involving members of the State's "community of the book,'' including authors, readers, prominent citizens, and public officials who serve as honorary advisers.
For further information, contact the Center for the Book. Phone, 202-707-5221. Fax, 202-707-0269. Email, cfbook@loc.gov
National Film Preservation Board The National Film Preservation Board, established by the National Film Preservation Act of 1992 (2 U.S.C. 179) and reauthorized by the National Film Preservation Act of 2005 (2 U.S.C. 179n), serves as a public advisory group to the Librarian of Congress. The Board works to ensure the survival, conservation, and increased public availability of America's film heritage, including advising the Librarian on the annual selection of films to the National Film Registry and counseling the Librarian on development and implementation of the national film preservation plan. Key publications are Film Preservation 1993: A Study of the Current State of American Film Preservation, Redefining Film Preservation: A National Plan, and Television and Video Preservation 1997: A Study of the Current State of American Television and Video Preservation. For further information, call 202-707-5912.
National Sound Recording Preservation Board - The National Sound Recording Preservation Board, established by the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 (2 U.S.C. 1701 note), includes three major components: a National Recording Preservation Advisory Board, which brings together experts in the field, a National Recording Registry, and a fundraising foundation, all of which are conducted under the auspices of the Library of Congress. The purpose of the Board is to create and implement a national plan for the long-term preservation and accessibility of the Nation's audio heritage. It also advises the Librarian on the selection of culturally, aesthetically, or historically significant sound recordings to be included on the National Recording Registry. The national recording preservation program will set standards for future private and public preservation efforts and will be conducted in conjunction with the Library's Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation in Culpeper, VA. For further information, call 202-707-5856.
Preservation The Library provides technical information related to the preservation of library and archival material. A series of handouts on various preservation and conservation topics has been prepared by the Preservation Office. Information and publications are available from the Office of the Director for Preservation, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20540-4500. Phone, 202-707-1840.
Sources of Information
Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped - Talking and braille books and magazines are distributed through 134 regional and subregional libraries to blind and physically handicapped residents of the United States and its territories. Qualified users can also register for Web-Braille, an Internet-based service. Information is available at public libraries throughout the United States and from the headquarters office, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, 1291 Taylor Street NW. Washington, DC 20542-4960. Phone, 202-707-5100.
Cataloging Data Distribution - Cataloging and bibliographic information in the form of microfiche catalogs, book catalogs, magnetic tapes, CD-ROM cataloging tools, bibliographies, and other technical publications is distributed to libraries and other institutions. Information about ordering materials is available from the Cataloging Distribution Service, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20541-4910. Phone, 202-707-6100. TDD, 202-707-0012. Fax, 202-707-1334. Email, cdsinfo@mail.loc.gov
Library of Congress card numbers for new publications are assigned by the Cataloging in Publication Division. Direct inquiries to CIP Division, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20540-4320. Phone, 202-707-6372.
Contracts Persons seeking information about conducting business with the Library of Congress should visit the Library's Web site at http://www.loc.gov/about/business
Copyright Services Information about the copyright law (title 17 of the U.S. Code), the method of securing copyright, and copyright registration procedures may be obtained by writing to the Copyright Office, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20559-6000. Phone, 202-707-3000. Copyright information is also available through the Internet at http://www.loc.gov/copyright
Registration application forms may be ordered by calling the forms hotline at 202-707-9100. Copyright records may be researched and reported by the Copyright Office for a fee; for an estimate, call 202-707-6850. Members of the public may use the copyright card catalog in the Copyright Office without charge. The database of Copyright Office records cataloged from January 1, 1978, to the present is available through the Internet at http://www.loc.gov/copyright/rb.html
The Copyright Information Office is located in Room LM-401, James Madison Memorial Building, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20559-6000. It is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Federal holidays.
Employment - Employment inquiries should be directed to Human Resources Services, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20540-2200. Vacancy announcements and applications are also available from the Employment Office, Room LM-107, 101 Independence Avenue SE. Phone, 202-707-4315. Internet, http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment.
Photoduplication Service - Copies of manuscripts, prints, photographs, maps, and book material not subject to copyright and other restrictions are available for a fee. Order forms for photo reproduction and price schedules are available from the Photoduplication Service, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, 59DC 20540-4570. Phone, 202-707-5640.
Exhibitions - Throughout the year, the Library offers free exhibitions featuring items from its collections. The new interactive Library of Congress Experience may be viewed Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Thomas Jefferson Building. This exhibit may be accessed online at http://www.myloc.gov. For more information, call 202-707-4604. To view current and past exhibitions, go to http://www.loc.gov/exhibits.
Publications - Library of Congress publications are available through the Internet at http://www.loc.gov/shop. A monthly calendar of events listing programs and exhibitions at the Library of Congress, can be mailed regularly to persons within 100 miles of Washington, DC. It is also available online at http://www.loc.gov/loc/events. Send requests to Office Systems Services, Mail and Distribution Management Section, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20540-9441.
Reference and Bibliographic Services - Guidance is offered to readers in identifying and using the material in the Library's collections, and reference service is provided to those with inquiries who have exhausted local, State, and regional resources. Persons requiring services that cannot be performed by the Library staff can be supplied with names of private researchers who work on a fee-for-service basis. Requests for information should be directed to the Reference Referral Service, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20540-4720. Phone, 202-707-5522. Fax, 202-707-1389.
Research and Reference Services in Science and Technology - Reference specialists in the Science, Technology, and Business Division provide a free service in answering brief technical inquiries entailing a bibliographic response. Requests for reference services should be directed to the Science, Technology, and Business Division, Library of Congress, Science Reference Section, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20540-4750. Phone, 202-707-5639. Internet, http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech
Research Services in General Topics - Federal Government agencies can procure directed research and analytical products on foreign and domestic topics using the collections of the Library of Congress through the Federal Research Division. Science, technology, humanities, and social science topics of research are conducted by staff specialists exclusively on behalf of Federal agencies on a fee-for-service basis. Requests for service should be directed to the Federal Research Division, Marketing Office, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20540-4840. Phone, 202-707-3909. Fax, 202-245-3920.