[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12191]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE CENTENNIAL

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, there is no shortage of questions facing 
Congress today, and when Members and their staffs need additional 
information or detailed research on these complex topics, we often turn 
to the dedicated analysts at the Congressional Research Service, CRS. 
Today marks the 100th anniversary of CRS, and in the last century it 
has grown to become one of the most valued resources on Capitol Hill.
  Informed decisions are better decisions for the American people and 
for the Nation. The Congressional Research Service provides research 
materials, historical snapshots, and confidential memoranda that help 
Members of Congress and their staffs prepare for debates on vital--and 
sometimes historic--issues. The office also provides often insightful 
briefings for Members of Congress and their staffs. Publicly, the 
office provides summaries of proposed legislation, available through 
the useful Thomas.gov website. In certain instances, the CRS provides 
useful research tools which Members are able to make available to the 
public.
  One such example was a report that the Congressional Research Service 
produced earlier this year at my request. Vermont is wrestling with how 
to effectively combat opiate abuse in our very rural State. Our State 
has taken a community-based approach to the issue, involving not only 
law enforcement and health providers, but also faith leaders, local 
officials, business owners, and nonprofit advocacy groups. In March, I 
was pleased to take the Senate Judiciary Committee to Vermont to hear 
firsthand how these approaches are having an impact in addressing 
addiction in the State. But equally important to Vermont is knowing how 
other States are dealing with heroin and opioid abuse. The 
Congressional Research Service prepared a useful document, ``Prevention 
and Treatment of Heroin and Other Opioid Abuse in the States,'' which 
helped illustrate how other States are dealing with addiction.
  Analysts for CRS include subject matter experts in such issue areas 
as American law; domestic social policy; foreign affairs; defense and 
trade; government and finance and resources; and science and industry. 
I have in the past supported efforts to make many of the reports 
produced by the CRS available to the public. It is an effort I continue 
to support. I believe students, researchers, and our constituents would 
benefit from access to this useful information.
  In the 100 years since Congress established the Legislative Reference 
Service, the small office has evolved into the Congressional Research 
Service of today, which encompasses a staff of 600 analysts, lawyers, 
information professionals, and management and infrastructure support 
staff. On the occasion of its 100th anniversary, I thank the dedicated 
staff of the Congressional Research Service--both past and present--for 
their public service and commitment to fulfilling the office's core 
value of providing objective and nonpartisan evaluations of policy 
matters to Congress.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I recognize the Congressional 
Research Service, CRS. The CRS is celebrating its centennial this week.
  Established as the Legislative Reference Service in 1914, the CRS has 
been assisting Members of Congress in their legislative work by 
providing reference information and nonpartisan policy analysis for 100 
years.
  I wish to thank the diligent and professional staff of the CRS that 
provide an invaluable service to Congress.

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