Honoring African Americans

In honor of National Black History Month, I'm posting some federal documents that honor African Americans. All of these can be accessed online for free.

Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007. (2008)


Civil Rights History Project Act of 2008: report (to accompany H.R. 998). (2008)


Honoring the life of Percy Lavon Julian, a pioneer in the field of organic chemistry research and development and the first and only African American chemist to be inducted into the National Academy of Sciences: report (to accompany H. Con. Res. 34). (2007)


Memorial addresses and other tributes held in the House of Representatives and Senate of the United States together with memorial service in honor of Juanita Millender-McDonald, late a Representative from California. (2007)

Don't forget to stop by our display to see other interesting federal documents!

Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

Ask Congress to...Read the Bill

The Sunlight Foundation has started a petition, asking Congress to post all legislation online for 72 hours before putting it up for a vote. Here is their ad.


Read The Bill from Sunlight Foundation on Vimeo.

For more information, visit ReadtheBill.org.


(Kudos to OpenCongress for the information and video.)


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Outline

This morning, President Obama submitted a budget outline to Congress. This 140-page summary of the proposed budget for the next fiscal year can be found here. Or visit the Office of Management and Budget site for more information.


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

The U.S. Department of State has posted reports on human rights in different countries on its web site. The countries are divided into 6 regions: Africa; East Asia and the Pacific; Europe and Eurasia; Near East and North Africa; South and Central Asia; and Western Hemisphere. The web site also includes a preface, an overview, an introduction, as well as appendices and "related material."


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

State of the Union Address (2/24/2009)

For full text of the speech, click here.

The GOP's response to President Obama's State of the Union Address was given by Gov. Bobby Jindal (La).



Read Gov. Jindal's speech here.


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

African Americans and Education, part III

In honor of National Black History Month, I'm posting some federal documents that relate to African Americans and education. All of these can be accessed online for free.


Urban youth public education for the African American community. (1997)

Historically Black colleges and universities, 1976-1994. (1996)


The educational progress of Black students. (1995)

Beyond percentage plans: the challenge of equal opportunity in higher education. (2002)



Don't forget to stop by our display to see other interesting federal documents!


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

President Obama's Weekly Address (2/21/2009)

Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

President George Washington's Birthday

Today is our 1st president's 277th birthday! For more information on this founding father, check out these sites.


White House: Biography of George Washington


Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

Tuskegee Airmen and Buffalo Soldiers

In honor of National Black History Month, I'm posting some federal documents that relate to African Americans in the military, especially the Tuskegee Airmen and the Buffalo Soldiers. All of these can be accessed online for free.

Tuskegee Airmen

Congressional gold medal to the Tuskegee Airmen. (2006)

Also check out the Library of Congress Online Exhibit here.

Buffalo Soldiers

Buffalo Soldiers Commemoration Act of 2005: An Act to Authorize the American Battlefield Monuments Commission to Establish in the State of Louisiana a Memorial to Honor the Buffalo Soldiers. (2005)


Buffalo Soldiers Commemoration Act of 2005 :report (to accompany S. 205). (2005)


Buffalo soldiers at Fort Leavenworth in the 1930s and early 1940s. (1991)


Don't forget to stop by our display to see other interesting federal documents!




Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

Public Law 111-005, the Stimulus Package

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is now officially Public Law 111-005. For an actual image of the Act with President Obama's signature, visit the OpenCongress Blog. The blog also links to a Huffington Post article discussing the possiblity of a second stimulus package, should this first one not do enough for the economy. Of course, there are no plans to introduce a second package to Congress at this time.

You can also check out the employment numbers by state or by congressional district on President Obama's blog. The blog also has individual fact sheets for energy, education, and health care.


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

Stimulus Bill Signed

Today, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. This means that the site Recovery.gov is now live! The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be carried out with full transparency and accountability -- and Recovery.gov is the centerpiece of that effort. In a short video, President Obama describes the site and talks about how you'll be able to track the Recovery Act's progress every step of the way.



Your Money at Work from White House on Vimeo.


Read President Obama's remarks here.


ProPublica has two break downs of the bill: one for the tax cuts and one for the spending provisions.


CCH has also issued a Tax Briefing on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.



Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

President's Day

You might have noticed that I tend to mark the birthdays of our presidents in this blog. It all started with this year's marking the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birthday on Thursday, February 12th. It was then that I realized...how many of us know anything about our presidents? I mean, aside from the popular ones...the Roosevelts, John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington? We may know the names of most of the presidents...but that's as far as it goes. Let's be honest, there are some names we don't know.


So...here is the site that links to the biographies of different presidents on the White House website. Check it out in honor of President's Day...or wait for the individual links to come up as each president's birthday arrives.



Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

African Americans and Education, part II

In honor of National Black History Month, I'm posting some federal documents that relate to African Americans and education. All of these can be accessed online for free.


Annual report to the President on the results of participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in federal programs.

Responding to the needs of historically black colleges and universities in the 21st century. (2002)

Historically black colleges and universities: an assessment of networking and connectivity. (2000)


School practices for equitable discipline of African American students. (2001)


Don't forget to stop by our display to see other interesting federal documents!

Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

President Obama's Weekly Address (2/14/2009)

Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Last night, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed by Congress. It passed the House earlier in the day with 246 Ayes, 183 Nays, and 4 Present/Not Voting. In the evening, it passed the Senate with 60 Ayes, 38 Nays, and 1 Present/Not Voting. Now, it awaits the President's signature. If President Obama stands by his "Sunlight before Signing" promise, he will post the act online and wait at least 5 days before signing it into law. President Obama has not done this with two earlier acts (The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the State Children's Health Insurance Program). Because of the nature of the bill and the desire for economic aid to be applied quickly, it is hard to say when the President will sign.


For more information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, visit GovTrack.


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

House Passes American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

The House of Representatives has passed the final conference report on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (246-183). The 183 against was comprised of all the Republicans in the House, as well as 7 Democrats. Now it is up to the Senate.


Federal News Radio Article


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

African Americans in the Military

In honor of National Black History Month, I'm posting some federal documents that relate to African Americans in the military. All of these can be accessed online for free.


Combat multipliers: African-American soldiers in four wars. (2003)
Introduction : Ch. 1 - Conclusion : Appendix & Bibliography


Separate and unequal: race relations in the AAF during World War II. (2000)


Black dispatches: black American contributions to Union intelligence during the Civil War. (1999)


Black soldier, white Army: the 24th Infantry Regiment in Korea : executive summary. (1997)


The employment of Negro troops /by Ulysses Lee. (1994)


Blacks in the Army Air Forces during World War II: the problems of race relations. (1976)


Don't forget to stop by our display to see other interesting federal documents!




Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

DTV Delay Act

Yesterday (Wednesday, February 11th), President Obama signed the DTV Delay Act, officially postponing the transition to digital television until June 12th. To read the President's statement, click here.


For information about getting a converter box or a converter box coupon, check out the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. You can also find out more at DTV Answers.


Keep in mind that many stations are going to make the switch on February 17th, as previously planned. Read more about that in the Washington Post.


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

President Abraham Lincoln's 200th Birthday

Today is the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birthday. To celebrate, check out some of these online exhibits...


Library of Congress Abraham Lincoln Exhibit
Check out these Lincoln-related images.


Library of Congress: Abraham Lincoln Papers
Check out timelines and other information about President Lincoln.


White House: Biography of Abraham Lincoln
Learn more about our 16th president.


With Malice Toward None
Check out this online Union Pacific tribute to Lincoln and his work bringing the railroad to life.


Abraham Lincoln Historical Digitization Project
Lincoln/Net presents historical materials from Abraham Lincoln's Illinois years (1830-1861), including Lincoln's writings and speeches, as well as other materials illuminating antebellum Illinois.


Featured Documents: The Emancipation Proclamation
(The National Archives & Records Administration)



Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

Infant Safe Haven Law

There is a law that many people don't know about called the Safe Haven Law. This allows a parent of an infant to drop the child off at designated locations without fear of prosecution. Essentially, if you cannot care for your child, if you are at your wit's end, you should take advantage of this law. This law is put into place so that no child has to die at a parent's hand.


For more information on this law, check out this handout or go to the Child Welfare Information Gateway. To find out the law in your state, check out this handout.


Remember, no matter what your situation is...you have options. Please don't do anything rash that you will regret.


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

Stimulus Package Breakdown

The Washington Post has a visual breakdown of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that was just passed by the Senate. Check it out!


(Kudos to Law Librarian Blog for the link.)


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan Passes

The Act passed 61 to 37.


For a breakdown of the votes, check out Govtrack.us.


(Kudos to Rebecca at McNeese for the heads up!)


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

President Obama's Press Conference (2/9/2009)

Read the transcript at CQ Politics.

Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

New Electronic Documents (2/1/2009)

Here is a list of some of the interesting documents that came out last week.


Advancements and continual challenges in the parole, supervised release and revocation of D.C. code offenders.
SuDoc: Y 4.G 74/7:110-106
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS108534


Complementary and alternative medicine in back pain utilization report.
SuDoc: HE 20.6524:177
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS108402


Federal financial statements for fiscal year 2007: fiscal outlook, management weaknesses and consequences.
SuDoc: Y 4.G 74/7:110-96
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS108533


From Sputnik to Minerva: education and American national security.
SuDoc: D 5.420:65
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS108474


Hard lessons: the Iraq reconstruction experience.
SuDoc: S 1.154/2:L 56/2
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS108462


Mortgage discrimination: a guide to understanding your rights & taking action.
SuDoc: FT 1.32:M 84/7
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS108381


Quadrennial roles and missions review report.
SuDoc: D 1.2:Q 2/2
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS108437


Report of the Defense Science Board Advisory Group on Defense Intelligence, Operations Research Applications for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR).
SuDoc: D 1.107:IN 8/4
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS108441


VA's prosthetics and sensory aids.
SuDoc: VA 1.34/2:P 94/4
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS108511



Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

President William Henry Harrison's Birthday

Today is the 236th birthday of our 9th president, William Henry Harrison. He was the shortest-serving president with a term of 32 days. He was also the first Whig president.

For more information on rarely celebrated president, visit these sites...

William Henry Harrison (American President: an Online Reference Resource)
Brought to you by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia


White House: Biography of William Henry Harrison


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

African Americans and Education, part I

In honor of National Black History Month, I'm posting some federal documents that relate to African Americans and education. All of these can be accessed online for free.

America's black colleges and universities :models of excellence and challenges for the future. (2008)

Affirmative action in American law schools. (2007)


Historically Black colleges and universities, 1976 to 2001. (2004)


Racial/ethnic differences in the path to a postsecondary credential. (2003)


Status and trends in the education of Blacks. (2003)

Don't forget to stop by our display to see other interesting federal documents!

Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

President Obama's Weekly Address (2/7/2009)

Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

President Ronald Reagan's Birthday

Today would have been President Reagan's 98th birthday. For more information on our 40th president, check out these sites.


Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library


White House: Biography of Ronald Reagan


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

Digital Transition Delayed until June

The House has passed the bill the delay the digital transition for television another 4 months. President Obama has supported the delay, so it is expected that he will sign off on it very quickly. The transition was originally scheduled for Tuesday, February 17th, but it will now occur on Friday, June 12th.

For more information, read the article at CQ Politics.


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

African American Children

In honor of National Black History Month, I'm posting some federal documents that relate to children in the African American community. All of these can be accessed online for free.


An Activity book for African American families: helping children cope with crisis. (2003) This one can actually be picked up at the Earl K. Long Library for free, as supplies last.

A guide for African American families: helping children cope with crisis. (2003)

African American children in foster care: HHS and congressional actions could help reduce proportion in care. (2008)

Parenting practices and obesity in low-income African-American preschoolers. (2005)


Don't forget to stop by our display to see other interesting federal documents!


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

Senate Changes to the Stimulus Package

Check out the changes proposed by the Senate.

Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

Oxford African American Studies Center Free Trial

The Oxford African American Studies Center is celebrating National Black History Month with free access to the public!

The Oxford African American Studies Center is a subscription database that "combines the authority of carefully edited reference works with sophisticated technology to create the most comprehensive collection of scholarship available online to focus on the lives and events which have shaped African American and African history and culture." And...in celebration of the inauguration of this country's first African American President, Oxford is making the Oxford African American Studies Center freely available to the public for National Black History Month (February 1st-March 1st).

Simply go to www.oxfordaasc.com.

Username: barackobama
Password: president

Enjoy!

Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

President Obama's Weekly Address (1/31/2009)

For those of you interested in reading more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, here is the description of the Act. You can also get the highlights of the Act in the online Wall Street Journal.

A more visual representation of the breakdown of the Act can be found at ProPublica. (Kudos to Law Librarian Blog for the info.)


Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies

National Black History Month

Today marks the beginning of National Black History Month! This year's theme is The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas. There are a few reasons why this year's National Black History Month is so important--the first being the inauguration of this country's first African-American president; another being the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

So, for the next few weeks, I'll post links to documents and sites concerning African-American issues and rights. Also, be sure to check out our display on the 3rd floor...as well as our handouts, which will be posted later.

Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Political Science/Paralegal Studies