[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 154 (Thursday, November 4, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S13992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE HONORABLE ELMER B. STAATS, COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED 
                           STATES, 1966-1981

 Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. President, today the American Society for 
Public Administration (ASPA) will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary 
by honoring Elmer B. Staats, who served as Comptroller General of the 
United States from 1966-1981. The Comptroller General of the United 
States has enormous responsibility as head of the U.S. General 
Accounting Office (GAO). Much of what we take for granted about GAO's 
successes in the area of government accountability results from the 
leadership of each Comptroller General. The commitment required to 
fulfill the responsibilities of this important position are equally 
balanced by the excellence we have seen in the occupants of the job.
  That said, Elmer Staats occupies a special place not only in GAO's 
history, but for establishing the foundation of improved government 
accountability and fiscal responsibility so important to the sound 
functioning of our government. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on 
Governmental Affairs I can attest to the importance of Mr. Staats' 
contributions, because they have crucially shaped the effectiveness of 
GAO over the years and have been of enormous assistance to the 
Committee and to the Congress as a whole.
  Elmer Staats increased GAO's visibility and services to the Congress 
dramatically. Elmer Staats expanded GAO's work beyond the mere 
consideration of the legality of expenditures and agency administrative 
activities, and began examining the effectiveness of government 
programs. What is important is that he did so by adapting rigorous 
accounting or ``Yellow Book'' Government Auditing Standards. In fact, 
when it comes to the Yellow Book, Elmer Staats literally wrote the 
book. Finally, Elmer Staats set the pace for GAO to be a leader in the 
fight against waste, fraud, and abuse. As Stephen Barr reported in The 
Washington Post on Thursday, October 28, 1999, ``For fiscal 1999, the 
GAO expects its recommendations to produce budget savings and financial 
benefits worth more than $20 billion. That follows several years in 
which the GAO's auditing and investigative work has led to annual 
savings of between $16 billion and $21 billion.''
  I applaud ASPA's decision to honor Elmer Staats to highlight its own 
60 years of service to our nation, and I extend my personal 
congratulations to Elmer Staats for receiving such a high honor. I ask 
unanimous consent that a congratulatory letter from the current 
Comptroller General, David M. Walker, be entered into the Record at 
this point.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                                              GAO,


                               U.S. General Accounting Office,

                                 Washington, DC, October 28, 1999.
     The Honorable Elmer B. Staats,
     5011 Overlook Road, NW.,
     Washington, DC 20016.
       Dear Elmer: It is with enormous pride and privilege that I 
     join your many colleagues and friends in honoring you on this 
     60th anniversary of the American Society of Public 
     Administration. I regret that I cannot be there to share in 
     the celebration due to a previous family commitment.
       In the worlds of public accounting and public 
     administration, we are the beneficiaries of your good name 
     and myriad good works. It is both an honor and a 
     responsibility to follow in your footsteps as Comptroller 
     General of the United States. I would not begin to attempt to 
     summarize the dollars saved, the federal programs 
     strengthened, and the citizens' lives improved as a result of 
     your many years of public service. I refer not only to your 
     accomplishments as Comptroller General, but to your continued 
     association with GAO and a multitude of public and private 
     sector organizations since your so-called ``retirement'' from 
     federal service.
       I want to take this opportunity to highlight a few well-
     known parts of your celebrated record, which include: 
     development of the ``Yellow Book'' of government auditing 
     Standards, expansion of GAO's work in program evaluation, the 
     effectiveness of your personal diplomacy on Capitol Hill, the 
     reorganization of GAO into issue areas, establishment of 
     GAO's job planning processes, the revitalization of the Joint 
     Financial Management Improvement Program, and GAO's 
     participation and leadership of the International 
     Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). Your 
     work made believers out of many in GAO, the Congress, 
     andother accountability professionals throughout the world 
     who continue to recognize today that GAO's core values of 
     accountability, integrity, and reliability are the very 
     foundation of public trust and confidence.
       The changes you effected during your 15-year tenure as 
     Comptroller General allowed GAO's institutional role in 
     government to expand and improve. You demonstrated a unique 
     mixture of energy, innovation, patience, and perseverance in 
     being responsive to the Congress; ensuring the application of 
     the standards of our profession; and preparing executives in 
     all branches of government to understand, address, and 
     resolve the problems that GAO uncovers.
       Elmer, your legacy is with us in every new step and renewed 
     effort at GAO. On behalf of the staff here at the General 
     Accounting Office, and my fellow INTOSAL colleagues 
     throughout the world, I extend the very best to you and your 
     family on this joyous occasion.
           Sincerely,
                                                  David M. Walker,

Comptroller General of the United States.

                          ____________________