Selected Congressional and Presidential Materials
Congressional Literature Bills (H.R., S.) and Joint Resolutions (H.J.Res., S.J.Res.) Hearings: Hearings may be held by the committee/subcommittee. Hearings provide testimony from experts, federal agency representatives, and interested parties. GovDocs Y4.[committee] Committee Prints: Prepared for the use of a committee, often by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). GovDocs Y4.[committee] Reports: The committee reports the bill favorably to the House or Senate as a whole. Reports contain the revised bill, an explanation of the law’s purpose, committee’s recommendation, a section-by-section analysis of the bill and dissenting views of committee members. The report is considered one of the most important documents for legislative history. Issued as H.Rept._-__ or S.Rept._-__. GovDocs Y 1.1/# Documents: A diverse category (ultimately anything ordered to be published as a House or Senate document). It largely consists of reports submitted by executive departments in accordance with law. See “Reports to be Made to Congress” for a listing of these, Y 1.1/7: 108-188. GovDocs Y 1.1/# “Serial Set”: A long-running set of congressional materials including House and Senate Reports (above), House and Senate Documents (above), Senate Treaty Documents, and Senate Executive Reports. GovDocs Y 1.1/2. Congressional Record: Contains the proceedings/debate on the floor of Congress. Periodical Collection. Presidential Material Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS1769 : Collection of presidential proclamations, orders, addresses and remarks on the public record. Periodical Collection. Public Papers of the Presidents,
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS4752 : Official series published by the Office of the Federal Register and NARA of presidential writings, addresses, and remarks of a public nature. Federal Register, http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/: Includes executive orders, proclamations, and other presidential actions. This title is also (even primarily) concerned with administrative regulations, proposed regulation, and “notices.” Presidential documents required to be published in the Federal Register are compiled annually in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 3. Periodical Collection. Online Databases GIL Catalog, https://gil-odum.valdosta.edu/ This is the Library’s catalog. What do we have here at VSU? GPO Access, http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ A service of the Government Printing Office which provides Access to U.S. government information products. In addition to full text databases, it provides a link to the CGP. Catalog of Government Publications (CGP), http://catalog.gpo.gov/ An index to print and electronic government publications. Thomas, http://thomas.loc.gov/ Legislative information on the internet. Search bills, laws, committee reports, treaties, Congressional Record, roll call votes, directories and more. Project Vote Smart, http://www.vote-smart.org/ Information about candidates and elected officials. Categories include biographical information, campaign finances, issue positions, interest group ratings, voting records, and public statements. Reference Material Call no. ranges JK 501-901 Executive Branch JK 1001-1443 Legislative Branch Reference Books American Congressional Dictionary, REF JK 9.K73 1997 Congressional terms explained. CQ Almanac, REF JK 1.C66 Basically a yearbook for congress. CQ Politics in America, REF JK 1012.P64 2006 Excellent resource on legislators and their districts. Journals Indexes and Full Text Databases (GALILEO databases) Academic Search Premier, http://www.galileo.usg.edu/express?link=zbap&rkey=pol This is a large, general database with a lot of full text. JSTOR, http://www.galileo.usg.edu/express?link=jste-val1&rkey=pol Full text of core journals in Political Science, History, and Public Policy & Administration. Note that there is an embargo on the last few years. Worldwide Political Science Abstracts, http://www.galileo.usg.edu/express?link=wore-val1&rkey=pol One of the best journal indexes available in Political Science and related fields. LexisNexis Academic, http://www.galileo.usg.edu/express?link=zxau&rkey=pol By far our best resource for newspapers. Choose the “news” search form (on the left). News category: “general news,” news source: “major papers.” Sources include dozens of major papers including the “Atlanta Journal Constitution,” 1991-present.
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