    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    117 STAT. 1870

    Public Law 108-139
    108th Congress

    Joint Resolution

    Commending the Inspectors General for their [NOTE: Dec. 1,
    2003 -  [S.J. Res. 18]] 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.

    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--

    [[Page 1871]]
    117 STAT. 1871

    (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.

    Approved December 1, 2003.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S.J. Res. 18 (H.J. Res. 70):
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    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 149 (2003):
    Oct. 14, considered and passed Senate.
    Nov. 17, considered and passed House.