Locating Congressionally Mandated Reports

 

Join The Library of Congress Law Library on January 28, 2025, at 1 p.m. EST for their latest Lunch and Learn webinar, “Locating Congressionally Mandated Reports.” This webinar is the latest installment in the Law Library’s lunchtime learning program. Earlier webinars in this series have covered federal legislative history research, the Law Library’s historical legal reports, and treaty research.

This presentation will answer several questions about congressionally mandated reports, including:

1. What is a congressionally mandated report?
2. Why do federal agencies write these reports?
3. Where do these reports go after they are written?
4. How do I know if a report was submitted to Congress?
5. How do I locate copies of these reports?

This webinar will also include live demonstrations and recommendations on when and how to consult the National Archives, commercial publications, or online resources to find these materials.

Information provided by the Library of Congress Law Library.

Remembering Jimmy Carter: Explore Presidential and Historical Government Resources at Fondren Library

    

(Official White House photograph, 

Schumacher, Karl, photographer)

 The nation mourns the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. At 100 years old, President Carter was the longest-lived president in American history. His legacy extends beyond his presidency, marked by significant diplomatic efforts and humanitarian work through The Carter Center, the nonprofit he and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, founded. His life of public service and commitment to peace and human rights continue to inspire people worldwide.

    For those interested in learning more about Jimmy Carter's presidency and contributions, Fondren Library offers a wealth of resources. As part of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), Fondren provides access to comprehensive collections of official federal government publications across three branches published in digital, paper, and microform formats.

    You are invited to delve deeper into the history of President Jimmy Carter and other pivotal moments in U.S. presidential history. Fondren Library is here to support your research and curiosity.

Explore These Resources:

• Presidential Libraries and Archives: Discover digitized materials and records from the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, offering insights into his domestic and foreign policies.
• American Presidency Project: Access presidential speeches, executive orders, and public papers through this extensive online resource. Explore here
• Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS) Series: Examine the official documentary record of major U.S. foreign policy decisions, including those during Carter's administration.
• HeinOnline & ProQuest Congressional (Fondren Library subscription): Browse legislative materials, executive orders, and historical government publications related to Carter's presidency.
• Historical U.S. Federal Government Documents: Visit Fondren's LibGuide to access curated collections of historical federal documents. View here

Need Library Assistance?

    If you're interested in exploring these resources or need more guidance in navigating government documents, contact Anna Xiong, Government Information Coordinator and FDLP Representative:

• Email: jax2@rice.edu 
• Call: (713)348-6212
• Research guides: https://libguides.rice.edu/gov
• Free Classes: Register or Request
  
• FDLP blog: https://ricegovinfo.blogspot.com/
• In person: Rice University Fondren Library is a congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents. Public access to the government documents collection is guaranteed by public law. (Title 44 United States Code)  All patrons are welcome to browse our collection of Government documents in print, microform, or access government information digitally via library computers. Before your trip, make sure you read the Information for Kelley Center's Visitors.

 

The Power of Expertise: The Census Bureau Welcomes New Census Scientific Advisory Committee Members

 

The U.S. Census Bureau recently announced the appointment of five new members to its Census Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC). These distinguished professionals bring diverse expertise from fields like sociology, economics, disability research, and computer sciences to tackle critical challenges in census operations and data management.

Meet the New CSAC Members

The new appointees include:

Kristine J. Ajrouch: Research professor at the University of Michigan, focusing on group dynamics.

Sara Curran: Professor at the University of Washington with expertise in international studies, sociology, and public policy.

Andrew J. Houtenville: Economics professor and director of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire.

Bonnielin K. Swenor: Endowed professor of Disability Health and Justice and director of the Disability Health Research Center at Johns Hopkins.

Jonathan Ullman: Associate professor at Northeastern University's Khoury College of Computer Sciences.

These new members will help shape the future of census programs, policies, and operations.

Why the Census Scientific Advisory Committee Matters
The Census Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC) was established to address emerging challenges in census operations, including adaptive design, cybersecurity, and statistical research. The committee also provides guidance on the application of scientific advancements in various fields like:

• Survey methodology
• Geospatial and statistical analysis
• Cognitive psychology
• Econometrics
• Business operations
• Computer science

CSAC’s insights influence many aspects of Census Bureau activities, ensuring data accuracy and operational efficiency.

A Rich History of Advisory Excellence

The Census Bureau’s advisory tradition dates back to 1994 with the formation of the Census Advisory Committee of Professional Associations (CACPA). Re-chartered as CSAC in 2010, the committee now comprises up to 21 members from diverse disciplines.

CSAC has been instrumental in guiding landmark Census Bureau programs, including the decennial census, demographic studies, and economic surveys. The committee’s recommendations have shaped data collection techniques, statistical accuracy, and the accessibility of information for public use.

Accessing Census Bureau Information

The Census Bureau values transparency and public engagement. Access key materials from past CSAC meetings, including agendas, minutes, public comments, and recordings, to learn more about their work and recommendations. Stay informed about future meetings of the 2030 Census Advisory Committee. Meeting dates, agendas, and materials are regularly updated on the Census Bureau website.

• Access Census Bureau Response to Committee Recommendations (2018-Present)
• 2030 Census Advisory Committee Future Meeting Dates: [NOTE:  The future meeting dates could change due to unforeseen circumstances.  Should a change be necessary, updates will post as soon as possible.]

• Access the meeting agenda, meeting minutes, public comments and meeting recordings: 
  2024

Take a moment to explore the wealth of knowledge and resources available to us through their groundbreaking efforts.

[By Anna Xiong, Kelley Center]

New Government Resource for Researching Civil Rights

The National Archives and Records Administration has recently released the first documents in what will soon be a database of Civil Rights Cold Case Records.  Following the passage of the  Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act in 2019, previously unavailable civil rights cold cases from 1940 to 1979 will be made digitally accessible to the public.  The records will be released on a rolling basis and those released are currently available at the National Archives Catalog.  Eventually NARA will create the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Portal which will allow direct access to the information.  

The first records released concern the case of Hattie Debardelaben, a 46 year old Black mother and grandmother from Mulberry, Autauga County, Alabama.  On the night of March 23, 1945, white police officers conducted a warrantless search of Debardelaben's home, looking for bootleg whiskey.  The officers beat and arrested Debardelaben and her son.  Debardelaben died of her injuries in the back of the police car en route to the Prattville County Jail.  A coroner's inquest found that the officers had no legal responsibility in her death and no arrests have ever been made or trial held.

According to the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Act, records will be reviewed by the Civil Rights Cold Cases Review Board, which designates the records for potential digitalization and public access.  The release of the records is the result of a multi-year collaboration among the review board, the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  

The Archivist of the United States, Dr. Colleen Shogan stated, "The release of these records, and the many more to come, will hopefully help foster a deeper understanding of our nation's civil rights history, provide friends and family transparency and closure, and help those impacted claim justice."

Hattie Debardelaben

Government Information Resource: USGS (United States Geographical Survey) and the National Land Cover Database

According to its website, the USGS “monitors, analyzes, and predicts current and evolving Earth-system interactions and delivers actionable information at scales and timeframes relevant to decision-makers. [They] are a primary Federal source of science-based information on ecosystems, land use, energy and mineral resources, natural hazards, water use, and availability, and updated maps and images of the Earth’s features available to the public.”

The newest product released by the USGS is its updated and improved National Land Cover Database or Annual NLCD.  Unlike the previous version of the NLCD, which mapped land cover from 2001 to 2021 in two or three-year increments, the new version maps land cover from 1985 to the present in one-year increments.  It will be updated annually. 

The Annual NLCD contains six products:

1.       Land Cover – This dataset provides 16 land cover classes such as deciduous and evergreen forest, grassland, cultivated crops, and developed.

2.       Land Cover Change – These data represent annual land cover changes from one year to the next.

3.       Land Cover Confidence – This layer provides confidence levels for the land cover classifications.

4.       Fractional Impervious Surface – This component provides the proportion of land covered by developed surfaces, such as roads and rooftops.

5.       Impervious Descriptor – This feature offers additional information about impervious surfaces by distinguishing between roads and other built surfaces.

6.       Spectral Change Day of Year – This attribute captures the specific day of the year when significant changes in surface reflectance occur.

The Annual NLCD uses “the extensive Landsat satellite data record at a 30-meter resolution” and employs data from as far back as the early 1980s.  To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data, the USGS meticulously reviews thousands of 30-meter plots and annually classifies and validates the data.

All of this data will be available to private individuals and companies, to members of the general public, and to academics and scholars.  The data may be used in various areas and for various interests, such as management and modeling of resources.  The data allows for assessing changes in the ecosystem, biodiversity, climate, surface and groundwater quality, wildlife, and other areas.  Wildfire threats, urban heat risks, and biological carbon sequestration can be modeled. These analyses provide more accurate and timely information for conservation efforts and land management. 

For more information on the Annual NLCD Collection 1.0, including how to access the data, visit the USGS website:https://www.usgs.gov/annualNLCD.

Election Day

 Election Day is less than a month away on Tuesday, November 5th!

There will be a polling location on Rice campus, at the Welcome Center, 7 am-7 pm. All voters registered in Harris County can vote here. Be sure to bring your government-issued ID.

Early voting begins October 21^st and ends November 1^st.

Approved early voting sites can be found here at Vote-Centers. (Election Day sites can also be found here.)  Ride the Rice BRC/TMC Shuttle to the closest Early Voting site (shuttle stop 12).

If you are voting in Harris County, view your voter-specific ballot at Whats-on-my-Ballot.

There are other important races and issues voters will decide on this year, including US Senate and Representative, Texas State Senator and Representative, Railroad Commissioner, and numerous judges and county officials.  Harris County also has three separate bond proposals to be voted on. We hope you will make your voice heard today.

For non-partisan information about candidates and issues, League of Women Voters Guides for Harris County are available in the Kelley Center for Government Information in the basement of Fondren as long as supplies last.  The Guide can also be found online here.   

The Houston Chronicle 2024 Texas Voter Guide provides sample ballots for Harris and Houston area counties along with information about each candidate.  They also post their endorsements in many races. (The Houston Chronicle is available to members of the Rice community.  Rice students, faculty, and staff: please visit https://library.rice.edu/houston-chronicle for instructions on registering for a free Houston Chronicle account.)

For a more comprehensive list of election resources, access the Kelley Center’s Voter and Election guide. 

For example, if you want:

for information about a candidate's biography, voting record, positions, ratings, speeches, and funding, check Project Vote Smart.

to see where candidates stand on a host of issues, check ProCon.org's Presidential Election site.

for information about campaign contributions, check the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and/or OpenSecrets.org.

for general information on evaluating candidates for public office, check USA.gov's Choosing Candidates to Vote for.

 

Public Feedback Sought for Congress.gov

If you want current information on the federal legislation that is accurate and official, the best site to use is Congress.gov. 

Congress.gov is a collaboration among the Library of Congress, the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Government Publishing Office. The site is searchable and free and provides the status, full text, and summary to each bill before Congress. It also provides direct links to the Congressional Budget Office which analyzes the cost estimates of each bill. The Congressional Record (which provides a daily transcript of speeches and actions of Congress) provides the process of the bill through Congress. The site gives access to the entire Congressional Record back to its first publication in 1873. Background information on the site are profiles of each member of Congress, legislative process videos, Committee profile pages, historic access to previous bills, and previous public forums. 

Once a year, in September, the Library of Congress conducts a public forum to educate the public and to gather feedback on the site. The next public forum has been scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET. 

If you would like to attend the forum virtually here is the registration link. If you are lucky enough to be in Washington and can attend in person at the beautiful Library of Congress, register here. 

The forum will present enhancements to Congress.gov based on previous user feedback. It will also show how “legislative information is gathered and made available to the public.” There will also be Q&A discussion segments where attendees can learn about the site and share ideas for future enhancements. Those who cannot attend can also submit suggestions before and after the forum at Congress.gov Public Forum Survey Form.

From the Library of Congress: The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.