A report of a study done to enhance the understanding of the relationship between Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) development and the economics, communities and households of the Gulf of Mexico region.

"This study examines historical, social, and economic changes in three coastal areas -- South Louisiana (Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes), Coastal Bend, Tex. (San Patricio County), and Mobile Bay (Baldwin and Mobile counties) -- since 1930 and the roles of the offshore oil industry in those change."

Document of the meeting agenda for the Black Tie Dinner committee. The agenda lists the people who were present or absent at the meeting and the meeting minutes. Each committee has a section on the agenda of a summary of what was discussed during the meeting.

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This testimony discusses three bills that would change the overall leadership and management of programs to combat terrorism. The three bills--H.R. 525, H.R. 1158, and H.R. 1292--vary in scope. H.R. 525 focuses on federal programs to prepare state and local governments for domestic terrorist attacks. Both H.R. 1158 and H.R. 1292 focus on the larger issue of homeland security, which includes terrorism and additional threats such as military attacks. The bills are similar in that they all advocate a single focal point for programs to combat terrorism. However, some bills place the focal point in the Executive Office of the President and others place it with a lead executive agency. In addition, the three bills provide the focal point with different, but often similar, duties to improve the management of federal programs. To the extent that these three bills--or some hybrid of them--address these problem areas, GAO believes that federal programs to combat terrorism will be improved. It will be important to develop a consensus on these matters and provide the focal point with legitimacy and authority through legislation are important tasks that lie ahead."

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This testimony discusses GAO's analysis of security audits at federal agencies. The widespread interconnectivity of computers poses significant risks to federal computer systems and the operations and the infrastructures they support. GAO's evaluations show that federal computer systems are riddled with weaknesses that continue to put critical operations and assets at risk. GAO found weaknesses in following six areas: (1) security program management, (2) access controls, (3) software development and change controls, (4) segregation of duties, (5) operating systems controls, and (6) service continuity. Weaknesses in these areas place a broad range of critical operations and assets at risk for fraud, misuse, and disruption. Federal agencies have tried to address these problems, and many have good remedial efforts underway. However, these efforts will not be fully effective and lasting unless they are supported by a strong agencywide security management framework. Establishing such a management framework requires that agencies take a comprehensive approach that involves both (1) senior agency program managers who understand which aspects of their missions are the most critical and sensitive and (2) technical experts who know the agencies' systems and can suggest appropriate technical security …

Concentrating solar power systems use the heat from the sun's rays to generate electricity. Reflective surfaces concentrate the sun's rays up to 10,000 times to heat a receiver filled with a heat-exchange fluid, such as oil. The heated fluid is then used to generate electricity in a steam turbine or heat engine. Mechanical drives slowly turn the reflective surfaces during the day to keep the solar radiation focused on the receiver.

News release about increases in service and adjustments in schedules for DART buses.

News release about adjustments to the DART fare system, including replacing the use of transfer slips with day passes. These changes are intended to reduce fare evasion and avoid the need for a general fare increase.

News release about Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Dallas.

News release about a DART public hearing in which proposed changes to its transit pass and ticket programs would be discussed.

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO discusses the progress the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has made in implementing title 32 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000. Title 32 established NNSA as a semiautonomous agency within the Department of Energy (DOE) with responsibility for the nation's nuclear weapons, nonproliferation, and naval reactors programs. GAO found that the agency is making progress in implementing changes to its organization; planning, programming, and budgeting functions; and use of personnel authority. However, it will be several months before real, tangible evidence of these changes will be seen. And it may be several years before these changes are fully implemented and can be definitively assessed. Important work remains to be done in (1) establishing an organization that clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of headquarters and field staff, moves program management officials as close to the action as possible, and establishes clear lines of authority between NNSA and its contractors; (2) implementing an integrated planning, programming, and budgeting system that can deliver information to decision makers and Congress in time for the 2003 budget deliberations; and (3) overcoming obstacles to using NNSA's Expected Service …

A report on the use of explosive platform removal and its negative impact on fish in the Gulf of Mexico.

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and securities self-regulatory organizations have taken actions that should help reduce the occurrence of unpaid arbitration awards. However, more time is needed to assess the effectiveness of the actions taken to date. Although recent data suggest that the percentage of unpaid awards has decreased, this data was limited to a very short time span. That data also showed that the problem of unpaid awards was still primarily due to broker-dealers and individual brokers leaving the securities industry without paying awards. The National Association of Securities Dealers-Dispute Resolution, Inc., has developed rules and procedure changes to help address this problem. SEC also plans to continue to monitor the payment of awards and, if nonpayment continues to be a problem, consider other approaches. Insurance coverage of unpaid awards, as proposed by Texas securities attorney William S. Shepherd, could impose additional costs on investors and other market participants and would need to be carefully examined."

Other written product issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board published an exposure draft of a proposed statement of federal accounting standards. This standard amends the Statement of Federal Financial Accounting Standards 7 by deleting a requirement regarding an element of reconciling budgetary and financial accounting information."

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO reviewed the audit report covering the financial statements of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Incorporated, for 1999 and 1998. GAO found no reportable instances of noncompliance. The audit report 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 Boy Scouts of America for 1999 to determine whether the audit report complied with the financial reporting requirements of law. GAO found no reportable instances of noncompliance with the law and the audit report 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 Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the United States of America for 1999 to determine whether the audit report complied with the financial reporting requirements of the law. GAO found no reportable instances of noncompliance. The audit report included the auditors' opinion that the financial statements of the corporation were presented fairly on a modified cash basis of accounting."

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO reviewed the audit report covering the financial statements of the National Fund for Medical Education for 1999. GAO found no reportable instances of noncompliance. The audit report 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 Non Commissioned Officers Association of the United States of America, Inc., for 1998 and 1999. GAO found no reportable instances of noncompliance with the 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 United States Olympic Committee, for 1999 and 1998 and the three-year period ended December 31, 1999. GAO found no reportable instances of noncompliance. The audit report 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 audit reports covering the financial statements of the American National Theater and Academy for fiscal years 2000, 1999, and 1998 to determine if the audit reports complied with the financial reporting requirements of the law. 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 reports covering the financial statements of the Former Members of Congress for 1999 and 1998. 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 "GAO reviewed the audit reports covering the financial statements of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, for 1999, 1998, and 1997. 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 "GAO reviewed the audit reports covering the financial statements of the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, for 1999 and 1998. 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."