[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 53 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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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.
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