University Libraries

By Scott N. West

For variety, accessibility and impartiality in all things government, the GPO delivers. Here's the latest batch of bureaucratic, historical and military reading material available in Roesch Library:

Assessing the TSA Checkpoint: the Precheck Program and Airport Wait Times

Hearing before the Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives (June 13, 2017). If air travel is in your future, this hearing may interest you. It involves two panels focusing on security in U.S. airports. The first panel includes the assistant director of the TSA Office of Security Operations and the acting director of the Homeland Security and Justice team in the Government Accountability Office. The second includes representatives from the U.S. Travel Association, Airlines for America, the American Association of Airport Executives, and the Global Business Travel Association.

• Call Number: Y 4.H 75:115-64
• Format: Print and Online

The Cost of Prescription Drugs: How the Drug Delivery System Affects What Patients Pay

Hearing of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, U.S. Senate (June 13, 2017). This is the first of three hearings dedicated to confronting the rising costs of prescription medications. This session was intended to get a better understanding of the issues involved in prescription drug pricing and determine a baseline of factual information. Witnesses include representatives from Avalere Health, the Pew Charitable Trust, the Manhattan Institute, and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

• Call Number: Y 4.L 11/4:S.HRG.115-355
• Format: Print and Online

Examining Anti-Semitism on College Campuses

Hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives (November 7, 2017). Since 2016, bigotry and hate speech have increased in the United States. The notion of anti-Semitism, especially on American college campuses, is a more complex issue. Is opposition to the policies of Israel the same thing as anti-Semitism? This hearing interviews an extensive witness list that grapples with the hope of gaining some clarity on this controversial topic.

• Call Number: Y 4.J 89/1:115-45
• Format: Print and Online

For the Love of Freedom: Miners, Trappers, Hunting Guides and Homesteaders

Karen Brewster, Department of the Interior. This book, an ethnographic overview and assessment of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, addresses the culture and traditions associated with the non-Native settlers of what is now a national park during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

• Call Number: I 29.2:W 92/3
• Format: Print and Online

An Independent Fleet Assessment of the U.S. Navy

Hearing before the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces of the Committee on Armed Services, U.S. House of Representatives (March 8, 2017). In this hearing, a series of witnesses — the Office of Naval Operations, Mitre Corp., and the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments — provide information regarding alternative structures for the Navy of the future.

• Call Number: Y 4.AR 5/2 A:2017-2018/13
• Format: Print and Online

The Need for a Balanced Budget Amendment

Hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives (July 27, 2017). With historical references and claims identifying the causes of rapidly growing debts and deficits, Then-chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., who did not seek re-election in 2018, claims that the only solution is a Balanced Budget Amendment. Witnesses include members of Congress as well as representatives from Princeton University, the University of Rochester, the American Action Forum, and the Compact for a Balanced Budget.

• Call Number: Y 4.J 89/1:115-42
• Format: Print and Online

Open Hearing: Election Security

Hearing before the Select Committee on Intelligence, U.S. Senate (March 21, 2018). This hearing is intended to explain the progress of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The witnesses were part of two panels. The first included the Secretary of Homeland Security and a predecessor. The second included representatives from Homeland Security, the state of Vermont, the National Association of State Election Directors, and the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

• Call Number: Y 4.IN 8/19:S.HRG.115-347
• Format: Print and Online

An Overview of Homelessness in America

Hearing before the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives (May 17, 2018). This hearing includes a discussion on the nature of homelessness in the United States. Then-subcommittee chair Sean Duffy, Republican of Wisconsin, draws attention to the difference between urban and rural homelessness, citing data showing that while overall homelessness is decreasing in his home state, rural homelessness is increasing. Witnesses include representatives from the Star House, the Salvation Army, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

• Call Number: Y 4.F 49/20:115-94
• Format: Print

Requesting the President, and Directing the Secretary of State, to Transmit to the House of Representatives Copies of All Documents, Records, Communications, Transcripts, Summaries, Notes, Memoranda and Read-Aheads in their Possession Referring to Certain Communications between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin

Markup before the Committee on Foreign Affairs (September 13, 2018). The first substantial request for records related to the relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump.

• Call Number: Y 4.F 76/1:115-157
• Format: Print and Online

Senate Record Votes

Senate Democratic Policy Committee. This aptly named resource is the record of senators’ votes. This particular item covers the 2nd Session of the 113th Congress, but others are available. If you ever wanted to know how your state’s senators were voting, you can find out!

• Call Number: Y 1.3:S.PRT.113-42
• Format: Print

Terrorism and Social Media: #isbigtechdoingenough?

Hearing before the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, U.S. Senate (January 17, 2018). The long list of opening statements by the committee members reveals how important this topic remains. Witnesses include representatives from Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. The witnesses seek to explain the efforts of their particular corporations to combat the use of their technology by terrorists. In addition, Clint Watts of the Foreign Policy Research Center makes a statement.

• Call Number: Y 4.C 73/7:S.HRG.115-316
• Format: Print and Online

United States Africa Command: the First Ten Years

Produced by Headquarters U.S. Africa Command (Stuttgart, Germany). This is a history of the U.S. Africa Command from 2007 to 2018. Easily browsable and very accessible to all readers, it is filled with vivid pictures of U.S. military forces working closely with African partners.

• Call Number: D 1.2:AF 8/2
• Format: Print

United States Department of Labor Employment Workshop: Transition from Military to Civilian Workforce

U.S. Department of Labor. Part of a Department of Labor program for veterans making a transition to civilian life, this publication addresses many aspects of a job search from skills assessment, job identification and marketing to resume writing and interviewing.

• Call Number: L 1.7/2:W 89/6/2017
• Format: Print

— Scott N. West is an information resources specialist in the University Libraries.

Postscript: In 2019, Roesch Library celebrates 50 years in the Federal Depository Library Program.