Average temperature has risen 1 degree F over the last century in the Mid-Atlantic Region as well as across the globe. Climate science is developing rapidly and many studies project additional warming. Although the future is uncertain and difficult to predict, our best science suggests the following changes are likely. The Mid-Atlantic Region will be somewhat warmer and perhaps wetter, resulting in a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans. Human activities that release heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere will continue to accelerate the observed warming trend. Climate change will compound existing stresses from population density and development. The region's overall economy is quite resilient, but impacts will be more severe for some economic activities and localities.

This document is part of a Government Information Quarterly Special Issue. The author serves as the editor of this issue focusing on the use of metadata as a strategy to improve access to and management of electronic government information. Contributions by writers address federal and state metadata activities and issues.

The PAGES research community works toward improving our understanding of the Earth's changing environment. By placing current and future global changes in a long term perspective, they can be assessed relative to natural variability. Since the industrial revolution, the Earth System has become increasingly affected by human activities. Natural and human processes are woven into a complex tapestry of forcings, responses, feedbacks and consequences. Deciphering this complexity is essential as we plan for the future. Paleoenvironmental research is the only way to investigate Earth System processes that operate on timescales longer than the period of instrumental records.

Application materials submitted to the Texas Historical Commission requesting a historic marker for the Fayette County Courthouse, in La Grange, Texas. The materials include the inscription text of the marker, original application, narrative, and photographs.

Email correspondence about an article on museums housing historic flags across Texas that was published in the March 2002 issue of Texas Highways magazine.

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO surveyed 26 agencies not subject to the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990. Overall, the surveyed agencies reported that they either achieved significant benefits or would anticipate achieving such benefits from having audited financial statements. The level of effort to prepare financial statements and prepare for an audit varied significantly with the size and other characteristics of the agencies. In determining whether agencies should prepare financial statements and have them audited, respondents identified a combination of factors to consider, including budget authority, key financial statement amounts, and the type of agency operations. Irrespective of the importance of such factors, 21 of the 26 agencies reported that federal agencies should have their financial statements audited."

Application materials submitted to the Texas Historical Commission requesting a historic marker for the Saint Augustine Parochial School, in Laredo, Texas. The materials include the inscription text of the marker, original application, narrative, and photographs.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Fyke. Fyke joined the Navy in December of 1939. He served on the USS Nevada (BB-36), and was aboard during the attack on Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941. In January of 1943 they provided fire support for the capture of Attu, during the Aleutians Campaign. They completed bombardment missions through the Battle of Okinawa. Fyke was discharged in December of 1945.

Application materials submitted to the Texas Historical Commission requesting a historic marker for the Edmund and Emily Miller House, in Austin, Texas. The materials include the inscription text of the marker, original application, narrative, and photographs.

This report was written for ocean managers to determine what is known and relevant about the deep sea environment in order to form more efficient strategies for deep sea exploration.

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Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Earlier this year, in response to concerns about the use of stolen or counterfeit law enforcement badges or credentials to gain access to secure government buildings and airports, GAO conducted an undercover operation during which GAO special agents gained entry into many federal sites and two commercial airports in the Washington, D.C., area and in Orlando, Florida. GAO surveyed these federal facilities and airports, along with 23 other major federal agencies, about any security improvements that they may have taken as a result of GAO's investigation. All 43 agencies and airports queried responded to GAO's survey, and many said that they had either started or completed a security assessment of existing security policies and procedures. GAO has not verified whether the reported specific security enhancements have actually been implemented."

A statement of record issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Advances in the use of information technology (IT) and the Internet continue to change the way that federal agencies communicate, use and disseminate information, deliver services, and do business. Electronic government (e-government) refers to the use of technology, particularly web-based Internet applications, to enhance the access to and delivery of government information and service to citizens, business partners, employees, other agencies, and entities. This testimony discusses the status of federal e-government initiatives, the key challenges facing the government in implementing these initiatives, and the chief information officer (CIO) approach proposed by the E-Government Act of 2001. GAO found that federal agencies have launched an array of e-government applications, including using the Internet to collect and disseminate information and forms; buy goods and services; submit bids and proposals; and apply for licenses, grants, and benefits. Many of these initiatives have the potential to increase the speed and efficiency with which citizens and businesses interact with the government. However, the government faces several challenges in transitioning to an electronic environment. Among other issues, the government must minimize the risks associated with the dissemination of personal information and …

Guidance issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This publication supersedes GAO-01-238G, Grant Financial System Requirements: Checklist for Reviewing Systems Under the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act, January 2001. The Federal Financial Management Improvement Act (FFMIA) of 1996 requires that agencies implement and maintain financial management systems that substantially comply with federal financial management systems requirements. The Joint Financial Management Improvement Program (JFMIP) seeks to promote understanding of key financial management systems concepts and requirements, to provide a framework for establishing integrated financial management systems to support program and financial managers, and to describe specific requirements of financial management systems. This checklist reflects JFMIP's first functional requirements document issued for grant financial systems to assist (1) agencies in implementing and monitoring agency grant financial systems and (2) managers and auditors in reviewing their grant financial systems to determine if they substantially comply with FFMIA. This checklist is not required to be used in assessing grant financial systems. Rather, it is provided as a tool for use by experienced staff and is one in a series of documents GAO has issued to help agencies improve or maintain effective operations."

Guidance issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This publication has been superseded by GAO-01-911G, Grant Financial System Requirements: Checklist for Reviewing Systems Under the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act, September 2001. The Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996 requires that agencies implement and maintain financial management systems that substantially comply with federal financial management systems requirements. These system requirements are spelled out by the Joint Financial Management Improvement Program (JFMIP) and the Office of Management and Budget. This checklist reflects JFMIP's revised requirements for grant financial systems to help (1) agencies in implementing and monitoring their grant financial systems and (2) managers and auditors in reviewing agency grant financial systems to determine if they substantially comply with the act."

Application materials submitted to the Texas Historical Commission requesting a historic marker for the Fischer House, in Spring Branch, Texas. The materials include the inscription text of the marker, narrative, and photographs.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dorothy Rufi. Mrs. Rufi’s maiden name is Roehning. She arrived in Washington D.C. to work at the Coast Guard headquarters in 1942. She was assigned to a secretarial pool of four women who worked for Rear Admiral Harvey F. Johnson. She mentions blackouts and an air raid drill. She returned to her home to Minnesota in 1944.

Application materials submitted to the Texas Historical Commission requesting a historic marker for the Henry H. and Bertha Sterzing Ziller House, in Austin, Texas. The materials include the inscription text of the marker, narrative, maps, and photographs.

Application materials submitted to the Texas Historical Commission requesting a historic marker for the Woolls Building, in Center Point, Texas. The materials include the inscription text of the marker, narrative, and photographs.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Micki and Jim George. Micki George completed Cadet Nurse Corps training in 1948. She traveled with a USO Unit out of Dallas and worked with the Nurse Corps in California and with Special Services as a chauffeur, chaperone and pianist for performances. She was stationed in the US and did not travel overseas. Micki was discharged from military service in 1950. She and Jim met at the University of Texas at Austin, while completing their medical degrees. Jim joined the Army in December of 1945. He served in the Korean War as a combat medic in a field MASH Unit, and was discharged in 1950.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Walter Autry. Autry left the Merchant Marine and joined the Navy just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Given his experience, he qualified for steam engineering and was sent to the University of Houston for training in diesel engineering. He briefly entertained the idea of being a Navy diver and received training at Pier 88 in New York City. Ultimately he was assigned to the crew of an LCI that laid smoke screens and made almost 100 landings in the Philippines. As part of his duty, Autry fought fires on ships and rescued the wounded. He bartered with natives on Mindanao and returned home with an intricately carved knife made of volcanic ash. He also met the natives of Luzon and describes their poisonous arrows. He recalls a treacherous typhoon at Okinawa. From there he went to China and recounts the tremendous poverty. He saw atrocious conditions for Filipino women and children at Santo Tomas. When Autry finally returned home, his daughter, who was born while Autry was at sea, was already 18 months old. He joined the Naval Reserve and was sent to the Philippines as a …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Gwynn. Gwynn was born 8 October 1921 in Lima, Ohio. Joining the Army Air Corps 28 October 1940, he took basic training at March Field, California. He entered the enlisted pilot training program in December 1941. Upon graduating he received his staff sergeant rating and went to Wisconsin for C-47 transition. Upon completing the course he was assigned to Bergstrom Air Force Base, Austin, Texas. After a period of time he went to Florida where he received his instrument rating. He recalls participating in the invasion of Sicily on 10 July 1943 and comments on the high loss of aircraft that occurred. Gwynn also dropped paratroopers during the invasion of Anzio. He remembers witnessing from afar the German air raid on Bari, Italy during which 17 ships were sunk. On 6 June 1944 he piloted aircraft which dropped paratroopers over France. On 8 May 1945 he returned home and was discharged. He tells of being recalled in 1949 and participating in the Berlin Airlift.

Other written product issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This study focuses on privacy issues related to record-linkage--a computer-based process that combines multiple sources of existing data. Federally sponsored linkage projects conducted for research and statistical purposes have many potential benefits, such as informing policy debates; tracking program outcomes; helping local government or business planning; or contributing knowledge that, in some cases, might help millions of people. Despite these benefits, concerns about personal privacy are relevant because linkages often involve data on identifiable persons. GAO describes (1) how record linkage can create new research and statistical information, (2) why linkage heightens certain privacy issues, and (3) how data stewardship might be enhanced."

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Wertz and Russell Wheeler. Both Wertz and Wheeler served in the Navy aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). Wertz enlisted in the Navy in January of 1940 and Wheeler enlisted around 1942. Wertz served aboard the Hornet as Boatswain Mate 2nd Class and Wheeler served as Seaman 1st Class. Both men were in the 3rd Division, 40mm guns, which Wertz had charge over. Considering that Wheeler was only 15 years old when he joined, Wertz took extra care of him while aboard the Hornet. They traveled through the Panama Canal. They helped qualify fighter squadrons for the Pacific Fleet, and transported Marines to various islands. Their ship operated around Formosa, Guam, New Caledonia, Iwo Jima and the Aleutian Islands. They share various incidents aboard the ship, including kamikaze plane attacks, air raids, memorable landings and takeoffs from their carrier and life in general aboard the Hornet.