The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with E.R. (Ed) Dolinar. He discusses going to boot camp, then torpedo school and submarine school. He was on the SSN Stingray as a torpedo crewman that offloaded supplies and guerrillas in the Philippines and picking up stranded Japanese sailors, transporting them to Australia, after which the Stingray was decomissioned. He was then part of a crew that cannibalized and plagiarized captured German submarines and he discusses the differences between the U-boats and the US submarines. He ancedotes on the Bolomen, Filipino guerillas who fought the Japanese during the occupation, getting hit with depth charges and his opinions on MacArthur and Truman.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George T. Foy. Foy joined the Navy in January 1943. He trained at Great lakes for basic and took an electrician's course there, too before being assigned to the amphibious corps in Solomons, Maryland. He joined an USS LST-282 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In January, 1944, USS LST-282 steamed to Plymouth, England. Foy was aboard the 282 when it went to Normandy on 6 June 1944. It delivered amphibious vehicles and medical supplies during the landing operation and also served as a floating hospital. Foy got separated from his ship, but was able to return to it later on in England. In Southern France in August, USS LST-282 was hit by a German bomb and Foy abandoned ship and made it to shore. He returned to the US and was assigned to an auxiliary repair ship that went to the Pacific right as the war ended. He was discharged in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Hejl. Hejl joined the Navy in September of 1942. He volunteered for the Submarine Service and completed Underwater Sound School and Radar School. Beginning January of 1945, Hejl served USS Moray (SS-300). They conducted lifeguard duty off the coast of Saipan, Midway and Japan, attacking a Japanese convoy off Kinkazan, Honshū. Hejl returned to the US and was discharged in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Afton Keeton. Keeton joined the Navy in early 1942. He completed Hospital Corps School, and served as a Pharmacist’s Mate. He volunteered for Submarine School. From 1944 through the end of the war, Keeton worked in the sick bays aboard USS Seadragon (SS-194) and USS Tilefish (SS-307). He shares numerous anecdotes of his work aboard the submarines, though does not go into detail of where they traveled through the Pacific. Keeton continued his service after World War II, and retired in February of 1972.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edwin Koehler. Koehler joined the Army in December of 1943. He completed basic training at Camp Fannin in Texas. He continued there through mid-1944 training new recruits. In February of 1945 he joined the 4th Infantry Division in Germany and fought against the German SS. He provides details of his combat experiences. Koehler continued serving in Germany after the war ended. He returned to the states in late 1945. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John W. Lee. Lee was born in San Antonio 22 July 1925 into a family of five boys and three girls. He dropped out of school in the tenth grade and joined the Navy in 1942. After attending boot camp in San Diego for six weeks, he went to Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Sperry (AS-12). They sailed to Brisbane, Australia and after the ships arrival he was transferred off the Sperry and was assigned as a dock guard for the Navy docks. He saw the USS Growler (SS-215) with extensive damage as it came into the repair facility. Upon requesting a transfer into the submarine service, he was assigned to the USS Balao (SS-285). He recalls various war patrols and describes being subjected to intense depth charge attacks by a Japanese destroyer. Lee recalls one patrol during which where they sunk a sea-going tug and the Japanese crew refused to be picked up out of the water. During the period he was aboard the Balao, they picked up seven pilots and several crew members. The Balao returned to the United States soon after the Surrender of Japan …

News release about advertising the use of DART's destination deals, offering discounts at travel destinations near DART rail stations or along connecting streetcar routes, over Spring Break.

News release about DART's destination deals guidebook for discounts at travel destinations near DART rail stations or along connecting streetcar routes.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John P. Starkey. Starkey was born in Kansas City, Missouri 8 March 1925 and graduated from high school in 1941. He enlisted in the Navy and went to Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Illinois for six weeks of boot training. After graduation, he attended fire control school for four months. Upon completion of the training, he was assigned to the USS Wyoming (BB-32). In April 1943, he was assigned to the USS Boise (CL-47). During July 1943 the ship provided fire support for the invasion of Sicily. When the Boise returned to Philadelphia, Starkey was selected to attend submarine school at New London, Connecticut. Following eight weeks of basics, four weeks of battery and gyro school and six weeks of specialized training he reported aboard the USS Mackerel (SS-204) at New London. In 1944 he was accepted into the V-12 program at Park University, Missouri. His father, at age forty-four, joined the US Coast Guard. Starkey lost his brother, killed in action in Europe. The V-12 program was terminated and Starkey was assigned temporarily to the USS Texas (BB-35). He was then assigned to the USS Pargo (SS-264) …

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfred N. Taylor. In early 1942 Taylor was drafted into the Army Air Forces. After training and an assignment in Florida, Taylor was shipped to India. He worked at an airbase in Assam calling pilots to their aircraft for missions over the Himalaya Mountains. Taylor returned to the US and was discharged in January 1946.

Application materials submitted to the Texas Historical Commission requesting a historic marker for the First Evangelical Church, in Houston, Texas. The materials include the inscription text of the marker, narrative, and photographs.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Authority of a municipal judge to examine the state's witnesses if the state is not represented by counsel when the case is called for trial (RQ-0628-JC)

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "It has been 2 years since the attacks of September 11,2001, exposed vulnerabilities in the nation's aviation system. Since then, billions of dollars have been spent on a wide range of initiatives designed to enhance the security of commercial aviation. However, vulnerabilities in aviation security continue to exist. As a result, questions have been raised regarding the effectiveness of established initiatives in protecting commercial aircraft from threat objects, and whether additional measures are needed to further enhance security. Accordingly, GAO was asked to describe the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) efforts to (1) measure the effectiveness of its aviation security initiatives, particularly its passenger screening program; (2) implement a risk management approach to prioritize efforts and focus resources; and (3) address key challenges to further enhance aviation security."

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Nationwide, underground storage tanks (UST) containing petroleum and other hazardous substances are leaking, thereby contaminating the soil and water, and posing health risks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which implements the UST program with the states, required tank owners to install leak detection and prevention equipment by the end of 1993 and 1998 respectively. The Congress asked GAO to determine to what extent (1) tanks comply with the requirements, (2) EPA and the states are inspecting tanks and enforcing requirements, (3) upgraded tanks still leak, and (4) EPA and states are cleaning up these leaks. In response, GAO conducted a survey of all states in 2000 and issued a report on its findings in May 2001. This testimony is based on that report, as well as updated information on program performance since that time."

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Long-standing problems with excess and underutilized real property, deteriorating facilities, unreliable real property data, and costly space challenges are shared by several agencies. These factors have multibillion-dollar cost implications and can seriously jeopardize agencies' missions. Federal agencies face many challenges securing real property due to the threat of terrorism. This testimony discusses long-standing, complex problems in the federal real property area and what actions are needed to address them."

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO reviewed the audit report covering the financial statements of the American Gold Star Mothers, Incorporated, for the fiscal years 2002 and 2001. GAO found no reportable instances of noncompliance, and the audit report included the auditors' opinions that the financial statements were presented fairly in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles."

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO reviewed the audit reports covering the financial statements of the American National Theater and Academy, for the fiscal years 2001 and 2000. GAO found no reportable instances of noncompliance. The audit report included the auditors' opinion that the financial statements of the corporation were presented fairly in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles."

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO reviewed the audit report covering the financial statements of the Aviation Hall of Fame for fiscal years 2001 and 2000. GAO found no reportable instances of noncompliance. The audit reports included the auditors' opinion that the financial statements of the corporation were presented fairly in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles."

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO reviewed the audit report covering the financial statements of the Boy Scouts of America for fiscal year 2001. GAO found no reportable instances of noncompliance. The audit reports included the auditors' opinions that the financial statements of the corporation were presented fairly in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles."

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "We reviewed the audit reports covering the financial statements of the Air Force Sergeants Association, for fiscal years 2002, 2001, and 2000. Our review disclosed no reportable instances of noncompliance with the financial reporting requirements of the law. The audit reports included the auditors' opinions that the financial statements of the corporation were presented fairly in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles."

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "We reviewed the audit reports covering the financial statements of the Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America, for fiscal years 2002 and 2001. GAO's review disclosed no reportable instances of noncompliance with the financial reporting requirements of the law. The audit reports included the auditors' opinions that the financial statements of the corporation were presented fairly in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles."

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO reviewed the audit report covering the financial statements of the Civil Air Patrol for fiscal year 2000. GAO did not review the auditors' working papers and is not rendering an audit opinion. The audit report included the auditors' opinion that with one exception, the financial statements of the corporation were presented fairly in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The exception related to six wings as a region as well as unites below using level not being audited and not being included in these financial statements."

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "From 1996 to 1997, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a cleanup action on a former zinc smelter operated by Eagle-Picher Mining and Smelting, Inc. and other areas contaminated by materials from this site near Henryetta, Oklahoma. EPA's cleanup focused on removing the immediate health threat posed by lead- and arsenic-contaminated soil transported from the Eagle-Picher site to residential and other highly accessible areas. Cleanup actions on the Eagle-Picher site involved establishing proper drainage on the site, encapsulating the Eagle-Picher site with clay and cover soil, and establishing vegetative cover at the site to protect nearby residents from the recontamination from wind and water erosion of hazardous materials. Since completion of the cleanup, private landowners of a neighboring property have raised concerns about contamination of their property resulting from EPA's cleanup actions. Landowners allege that EPA, through its contractors, transported and negligently disposed of hazardous substances on their property. The landowners also allege that EPA's actions at the site contributed to the migration of contamination from the Eagle-Picher site onto their property. These landowners are currently pursuing litigation against EPA and the city of Henryetta for damages …

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Invasive species--harmful, nonnative plants, animals, and microorganisms--are found throughout the United States and cause damage to crops, rangelands, waterways, and other ecosystems that is estimated to cost in the billions of dollars annually. In addition to their economic costs, invasive species can have a devastating effect on natural areas, where they have strangled native plants, taken over wetland habitats, crowded out native species, and deprived waterfowl and other species of food sources. Scientists, academicians, and industry leaders have all recognized invasive species as one of the most serious environmental threats of the twenty-first century. More specifically, conservation biologists ranked invasive species as the second most serious threat to endangered species after habitat destruction. In June 2003, GAO testified before the Senate Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water concerning invasive species issues reported in our October 2002 report. We also provided testimony on the partial results of our spring 2003 survey of state agencies involved in efforts to address invasive species and members of the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC). This report provides the final results of our survey and focuses on state perspectives on (1) gaps in, or …