[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 166 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H11174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMENDING INSPECTORS GENERAL FOR EFFORTS DURING PAST 25 YEARS

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate joint resolution (S.J. Res. 18) commending the Inspectors 
General for their efforts to prevent and detect waste, fraud, abuse, 
and mismanagement, and to promote economy, efficiency, and 
effectiveness in the Federal Government during the past 25 years.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              S.J. Res. 18

       Whereas the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) 
     was signed into law on October 12, 1978, with overwhelming 
     bipartisan support;
       Whereas Inspectors General now exist in the 29 largest 
     executive branch agencies and in 28 other designated Federal 
     entities;
       Whereas Inspectors General work to serve the American 
     taxpayer by promoting economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and 
     integrity in the administration of the programs and 
     operations of the Federal Government;
       Whereas Inspectors General conduct audits and 
     investigations to both prevent and detect waste, fraud, 
     abuse, and mismanagement in the programs and operations of 
     the Federal Government;
       Whereas Inspectors General make Congress and agency heads 
     aware, through semiannual reports and other communications, 
     of problems and deficiencies in the administration of 
     programs and operations of the Federal Government;
       Whereas Congress and agency heads utilize the 
     recommendations of Inspectors General in the development and 
     implementation of policies that promote economy and 
     efficiency in the administration of, or prevent and detect 
     waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in, the programs and 
     operations of the Federal Government;
       Whereas Federal employees and other dedicated citizens 
     report information to Inspectors General regarding the 
     possible existence of an activity constituting a violation of 
     law, rules, or regulations, or mismanagement, gross waste of 
     funds, abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific 
     danger to public health and safety;
       Whereas Inspector General audits and investigations result 
     in annual recommendations for more effective spending of 
     billions of taxpayer dollars, thousands of successful 
     criminal prosecutions, hundreds of millions of dollars 
     returned to the United States Treasury through investigative 
     recoveries, and the suspension and debarment of thousands of 
     individuals or entities from doing business with the 
     Government; and
       Whereas for 25 years the Inspectors General have worked 
     with Congress to facilitate effective oversight to improve 
     the programs and operations of the Federal Government: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That 
     Congress--
       (1) recognizes the many accomplishments of the Inspectors 
     General in preventing and detecting waste, fraud, abuse, and 
     mismanagement in the Federal Government;
       (2) commends the Inspectors General and their employees for 
     the dedication and professionalism displayed in the 
     performance of their duties; and
       (3) reaffirms the role of Inspectors General in promoting 
     economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration 
     of the programs and operations of the Federal Government.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Ballance) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).


                             General Leave

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on S.J. Res. 18.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Senate Joint Resolution 18 commends Inspectors General 
across the Federal Government for their contributions to taxpayers and 
overall government efficiency over the last 25 years.
  This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Inspector General Act of 
1978 that created the position of Inspector General in Federal agencies 
and departments. I had the honor of introducing the original 
legislation to name an Inspector General or create an Inspector General 
position for the Tennessee Valley Authority.
  Today, Inspectors General exist in 57 executive branch agencies. 
Their work has eliminated waste in management at all levels of the 
Federal Government and saved countless taxpayer dollars.
  Mr. Speaker, this body has already passed the House version of this 
resolution, so I will similarly urge all Members to support the 
adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 18.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BALLANCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I support Senate Joint Resolution 18 which recognizes 
Inspectors General for their efforts to prevent waste, fraud and abuse 
over the past 25 years. In fact, as has been just pointed out, the 
House passed H.J. Res. 70 by voice just a few days ago.
  Twenty-five years ago the Inspector General Act of 1978 established, 
for the first time, IG's in 12 executive branch agencies. They proved 
so successful that today there are IG's in 59 Federal agencies. The 
Inspectors General report both to the agency head and to Congress and 
are one of Congress's principal watchdogs in the executive branch.

                              {time}  1515

  IGs have a tough job. As independent investigators within Federal 
agencies, they are often the last person a manager wants to hear from.
  The IGs returned over $4.5 billion to the Federal Government during 
fiscal year 2002 in restitutions and recoveries. IG audits also 
identified another $72 billion in funds that could be used more 
efficiently and effectively. They also had more than 10,000 successful 
criminal prosecutions.
  The IGs make similar contributions year after year. They have more 
than proven their usefulness to Congress and the American people. I 
urge my colleagues to support this resolution commemorating their 25th 
anniversary.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to 
close by saying that many, many people have paid lip service to waste, 
fraud, and abuse within the Federal Government, but these Inspectors 
General and their staffs are on the front lines trying to do something 
about this to save taxpayers money and help make our Federal Government 
run more honestly and efficiently, so I urge passage of this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the Senate joint resolution, S.J. Res. 18.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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