[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 111 (Wednesday, July 16, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH 
                                SERVICE

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. RUSH HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 16, 2014

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 100th anniversary of 
what is now the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Since its 
founding in 1914, this legislative reference service unit of the 
Library of Congress has served as a repository of information and 
expertise for Members of Congress and their staff.
  The CRS was an idea first championed by Senator Robert M. LaFollette 
Sr. and Representative John M. Nelson, and established on July 16, 1914 
by former Librarian of Congress, Herbert Putnam. Previously known as 
the Legislative Reference Service (LRS), this service unit provided 
basic reference services for Congress in its early years.
  As a result of rising demand for LRS services following World War II, 
the Legislative Reorganization Act (LRA) of 1946 expanded the size and 
scope of LRS by hiring policy experts in issues consistent with the new 
committee system. A second transformation of the Service occurred in 
1970 when the LRA was amended to mandate that LRS provide reliable and 
objective research and analysis, and strong support for Members and 
committees. LRS became what we know today as CRS.
  Over the past 100 years, the contributions of CRS have been 
invaluable to the efficiency and effectiveness of Congress. Today, CRS 
provides broad, non-partisan research and analysis for members of 
Congress on all legislative and oversight issues of interest. Its 
utmost priority is to certify that Congress has uninterrupted access to 
the nation's best thinking.
  The Service employs a diverse workforce of over 600 analysts, data 
professionals, counselors, and support staff who are dedicated to 
supporting our Federal legislative process. In Fiscal Year 2013 alone, 
CRS provided more than 630,000 briefings, reports, and analyses for 
Members and committees.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the past and present staff of 
CRS for decades of invaluable contributions and service.

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