[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 53 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 53
Recognizing the staff of the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the
Senate on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Office.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 6, 2019
Mr. Grassley submitted the following resolution; which was considered
and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the staff of the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the
Senate on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Office.
Whereas the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the Senate (referred to in this
preamble as the ``Office'') was established 100 years ago on February
24, 1919, with the enactment of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide
revenue, and for other purposes'', approved February 24, 1919 (commonly
known as the ``Revenue Act of 1918'') (Public Law 254; 65th Congress; 40
Stat. 1057);
Whereas the enacting legislation established that the purpose of the Office is
to ``aid in drafting public bills and resolutions or amendments
thereto'' at the request of any Senator, committee, or office of the
Senate and that the staff of the Office is appointed ``without reference
to political affiliations and solely on the ground of fitness to perform
the duties of the office'';
Whereas during the past 100 years, 136 attorneys, 91 staff members, and 47
interns (referred to in this preamble as the ``staff of the Office'')
have served in the Office and have ably and faithfully upheld the high
standards and traditions of the Office by demonstrating great
dedication, professionalism, and integrity in discharging their duties
and responsibilities;
Whereas the volume of work of the Office has grown dramatically over time, with
the number of requests for legislation received by the Office during a
Congress growing from fewer than 1,000 requests in the earliest years of
the Office to significantly more than 50,000 requests in each Congress
convening since 2005, including more than 72,000 requests in the 115th
Congress;
Whereas, in addition to the increase in the number of drafts produced by the
Office each year, the drafting of new legislation has become
increasingly more difficult and time-consuming because of the addition
of a number of new subjects of Federal legislation and the increasing
technical complexity of Federal statutory law;
Whereas legislative drafting requires a careful analysis of the legal issues
involved, the recognition of constitutional limitations, and an
understanding of earlier enactments of related laws in order to produce,
to the maximum extent practicable, a consistent body of law that will
effectuate congressional intent without producing unintended
consequences;
Whereas, throughout the history of the Office, the Office has enjoyed
outstanding support from the Vice Presidents and the Presidents pro
tempore and their staffs who were responsible for the oversight of the
Office; and
Whereas the staff of the Office currently serving in the Office continues to
carry out the mission of the Office by providing the Senate and the
committees and officers of the Senate quality drafting services and
sound legal advice throughout the legislative process with the spirit of
quiet professionalism that has been the tradition of the Office since
the inception of the Office: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate expresses sincere appreciation and
gratitude to--
(1) the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the Senate for
100 years of professionalism and dedication in providing
assistance with the drafting of legislation considered by the
Senate; and
(2) commends the attorneys, staff members, and interns who
have served or are currently serving in the Office of the
Legislative Counsel of the Senate for their faithful and
exemplary public service and professional assistance to the
Senate and the United States.
<all>