Report of the Red River Compact Commission describing the approved budgets, audits, and rules and regulations during fiscal year 2001

Reconciliation report with an ending account balance of $941.54 reconciled for the period ending on March 29, 2002.

This report discusses how the decisions made by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in July 1997 impacted the process by which decisions are made by the agency. The new standards were subject to litigation, oversight hearings, and a Supreme Court ruling. Moreover, issues concerning implementation of the proposed air quality standards were raised.

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This report is categorized into six categories: (I) Recent Political Developments, (II) U.N. Role in Angola, (III) Human Rights and Civil Liberties, (IV) Angolan Economy, (V) U.S. Policy and (VI) Appendix I.

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This report discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Hoffman Plastic Compounds v. NLRB, a case involving whether backpay may be awarded to an undocumented alien because his employer violated the National Labor Relations Act.

This report provides information on the 33 Asian Pacific Americans who have served in the United States Congress from 1903 to the present, including 13 Resident Commissioners from the Philippine Islands. These Resident Commissioners served from 1907-1946 while the Philippines were a U.S. territory and commonwealth (all were Philippines born). Information on Members and territorial delegates includes party affiliations, length and dates of service, and committee assignments.

This report discusses the political party soft money, corporate and labor union soft money and 107th congress legislative activity.

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This report highlights six of the most pupular programs among a number of programs in Washington D.C., explain the workings of the national government to a diverse range of Americans, from middle school to senior citizens.

This report introduces selected basic sources that are useful in obtaining background information or specific facts on the status of federal legislative or regulatory initiatives. It includes telephone, online, and media sources are included, as well as pertinent directories, such as those of organizations that track areas of interest. Annotations describing each source's contents and organization are included so that researchers can select those that most closely fit their needs. Internet addresses usually provide information about the items, rather than access to them.

A performance review of Mirando City Independent School District (ISD) related to the use of funding for different areas of the school system.

Report of the Texas State Auditor's Office related to licenses and permits processed, issued, or renewed by the Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Report of the Texas State Auditor's Office related to six accreditation review reports published in fiscal year 2002, required as a part of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) university accreditation process.

Report of the Texas State Auditor's Office related to determining if the procedures the Department of Health uses to establish and monitor client service contracts provide reasonable assurance that contractors provide agreed-upon services at contractually specified prices, and that contractors spend funds in accordance with state and federal requirements.

Report of the Texas State Auditor's Office related to determining whether state bond-issuing entities were in compliance with requirements in significant bond covenants and applicable laws and regulations, and verifying the accuracy of information reported in the bond schedules in each entity's annual financial report.

Report of the Texas State Auditor's Office related to determining whether the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation's (Department) reporting processes enable it to provide legislative budget committees and board members with accurate and consistent financial information; determining whether the Department is using appropriated funds in accordance with applicable laws and regulations; and determining the relationship between funds expended and outcome results.

Report of the Texas State Auditor's Office related to determining whether the total amount of school district bonds guaranteed by the Bond Guarantee Program (Program) exceeded the limits established by state statute and the Internal Revenue Service.

A briefing report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The attacks of September 11, 2001, and recent anthrax exposures have heightened long-standing concerns about the proliferation of biological weapons and the United States' ability to quickly respond to such incidents. The United States must identify technologies to protect against biological weapons, such as anthrax, without harming humans. Ionizing radiation has emerged as the leading current technology for mail sanitization. However, ionizing radiation may have adverse effects on mailed material, and it may not be applicable to some types of parcels, boxes, and large packages. In addition, applying ionizing radiation in a mail-processing environment requires radiation and biohazard precautions, such as shielding the radiation source and wearing protective gear."

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) provided $23 billion in monthly cash benefits to 3.2 million disabled veterans and their families through its compensation and pension program in fiscal year 2001. In the same year, VBA mailed 1.2 million "notification" letters to veterans and their families, informing them of VBA's decisions on compensation or pension benefits claims filed. VBA also sent 1.2 million "development" letters in fiscal year 2001 requesting information in order to make a decision on claims. VBA found in 1995 that its notification and development letters failed to communicate adequately, and launched an initiative, called Reader-Focused Writing, to improve its written communications. In its letters, VBA clearly explained some, but not all, of the key aspects that claimants needed to understand. Beyond the lack of clarity in these letters, various writing deficiencies, such as sequencing and formatting problems, reduced the value of VBA's letters. First, in many of its rating decision documents and development letters, VBA attempts to achieve more than one objective and, in doing so, compromises clarity for the reader. Second, although VBA's central office and some regional offices have developed boilerplate …

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administers the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides billions of dollars in federal grants to airports for planning and development projects. The total funds awarded by FAA was consistent with the total amount of AIP funds available for obligation for fiscal years 1996 through 2000. FAA also made available or awarded AIP grant funds in accordance with the statutory formulas and set-asides contained in the authorization acts for the five fiscal years reviewed. In some cases, FAA awarded more funding than required to some airports and projects when it distributed the remaining AIP discretionary funds, which are not subject to statutory formulas or set-asides. GAO also found that small airports received greater amounts than large airports."

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "U.S. officials are interested in transferring some government social welfare functions to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). One area is in the delivery of foreign assistance to developing countries and countries transitioning from communism to market-oriented democracy. Many NGOs active in international development have years of experience working overseas and have received millions of dollars in funds from private sources as well as the U.S. government. USAID directed $4 billion of its $7.2 billion assistance funding to NGOs in fiscal year 2000. However, the amount of funding provided by specific types of assistance is unknown, because USAID lacks comprehensive and reliable data. USAID uses various types of contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements to provide assistance through NGOs. This range of funding mechanisms allows USAID flexibility to draw on the strengths and expertise of a large community of experienced NGOs. The different mechanisms have advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, time, selection of potential implementers, and USAID's authority to oversee assistance activities. Compared with USAID, official donors provide more of their funding to foreign governments and private donors and spend more of their funding on unsolicited proposals. USAID …