A resolution recognizing the staff of the Office of Legislative Counsel of the Senate on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Office.

III 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 53 Recognizing the staff of the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the Senate on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Office. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES FEBRUARY 6, 2019 Mr. GRASSLEY submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing the staff of the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the Senate on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Office. Whereas the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the Senate (referred to in this preamble as the ‘‘Office’’) was estab- lished 100 years ago on February 24, 1919, with the en- actment 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 resolu- tions or amendments thereto’’ at the request of any Sen- ator, committee, or office of the Senate and that the staff of the Office is appointed ‘‘without reference to political VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:36 Feb 06, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR53.ATS SR53 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •SRES 53 ATS 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 dedica- tion, professionalism, and integrity in discharging their duties and responsibilities; Whereas the volume of work of the Office has grown dramati- cally over time, with the number of requests for legisla- tion 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 leg- islation has become increasingly more difficult and time- consuming because of the addition of a number of new subjects of Federal legislation and the increasing tech- nical complexity of Federal statutory law; Whereas legislative drafting requires a careful analysis of the legal issues involved, the recognition of constitutional lim- itations, 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 con- sequences; Whereas, throughout the history of the Office, the Office has enjoyed outstanding support from the Vice Presidents VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:36 Feb 06, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR53.ATS SR53 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 •SRES 53 ATS 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 pro- viding 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 apprecia- 1 tion and gratitude to— 2 (1) the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the 3 Senate for 100 years of professionalism and dedica- 4 tion in providing assistance with the drafting of leg- 5 islation considered by the Senate; and 6 (2) commends the attorneys, staff members, 7 and interns who have served or are currently serving 8 in the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the Sen- 9 ate for their faithful and exemplary public service 10 and professional assistance to the Senate and the 11 United States. 12 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:36 Feb 06, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR53.ATS SR53 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS