February 6, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 23 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page S925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE RESOLUTION 53--RECOGNIZING THE STAFF OF THE OFFICE OF 
    LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL OF THE SENATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 100TH 
                       ANNIVERSARY OF THE OFFICE

  Mr. GRASSLEY submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 53

       Whereas the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the Senate 
     (referred to in this preamble as the ``Office'') was 
     established 100 years ago on February 24, 1919, with the 
     enactment of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide revenue, 
     and for other purposes'', approved February 24, 1919 
     (commonly known as the ``Revenue Act of 1918'') (Public Law 
     254; 65th Congress; 40 Stat. 1057);
       Whereas the enacting legislation established that the 
     purpose of the Office is to ``aid in drafting public bills 
     and resolutions or amendments thereto'' at the request of any 
     Senator, committee, or office of the Senate and that the 
     staff of the Office is appointed ``without reference to 
     political affiliations and solely on the ground of fitness to 
     perform the duties of the office'';
       Whereas during the past 100 years, 136 attorneys, 91 staff 
     members, and 47 interns (referred to in this preamble as the 
     ``staff of the Office'') have served in the Office and have 
     ably and faithfully upheld the high standards and traditions 
     of the Office by demonstrating great dedication, 
     professionalism, and integrity in discharging their duties 
     and responsibilities;
       Whereas the volume of work of the Office has grown 
     dramatically over time, with the number of requests for 
     legislation received by the Office during a Congress growing 
     from fewer than 1,000 requests in the earliest years of the 
     Office to significantly more than 50,000 requests in each 
     Congress convening since 2005, including more than 72,000 
     requests in the 115th Congress;
       Whereas, in addition to the increase in the number of 
     drafts produced by the Office each year, the drafting of new 
     legislation has become increasingly more difficult and time-
     consuming because of the addition of a number of new subjects 
     of Federal legislation and the increasing technical 
     complexity of Federal statutory law;
       Whereas legislative drafting requires a careful analysis of 
     the legal issues involved, the recognition of constitutional 
     limitations, and an understanding of earlier enactments of 
     related laws in order to produce, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, a consistent body of law that will effectuate 
     congressional intent without producing unintended 
     consequences;
       Whereas, throughout the history of the Office, the Office 
     has enjoyed outstanding support from the Vice Presidents and 
     the Presidents pro tempore and their staffs who were 
     responsible for the oversight of the Office; and
       Whereas the staff of the Office currently serving in the 
     Office continues to carry out the mission of the Office by 
     providing the Senate and the committees and officers of the 
     Senate quality drafting services and sound legal advice 
     throughout the legislative process with the spirit of quiet 
     professionalism that has been the tradition of the Office 
     since the inception of the Office: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate expresses sincere appreciation 
     and gratitude to--
       (1) the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the Senate for 
     100 years of professionalism and dedication in providing 
     assistance with the drafting of legislation considered by the 
     Senate; and
       (2) commends the attorneys, staff members, and interns who 
     have served or are currently serving in the Office of the 
     Legislative Counsel of the Senate for their faithful and 
     exemplary public service and professional assistance to the 
     Senate and the United States.

                          ____________________