Government Documents for You

The Project on National Security Reform and the Center for the Study of the Presidency has released their review of the national security interagency system. The report, "Forging a New Shield" is an 830 page document and is the result Sec. 1049 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008 [PL 110-181]. This PL required a study of the national security interagency system by an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization.

The members of the committee were unanimous in their sense that the national security of the US is fundamentally at risk. They analyze the problems, the causes, the consequences and proposed a set of reforms.

The report can be found at:
http://www.pnsr.org/data/files/pnsr_forging_a_new_shield_report.pdf

**Text taken from press release.**

Among the PNSR’s key recommendations are:

-Establishing a President’s Security Council to replace the National Security Council and Homeland Security.

-Creating an empowered Director for National Security in the Executive Office of the President.

-Initiating the process of shifting highly collaborative, mission-focused interagency teams for priority issues.

-Mandating annual National Security Planning Guidance and an integrated national security budget.

-Building an interagency personnel system, including a National Security Professional Corps.

-Establishing a Chief Knowledge Officer in the PSC Executive Secretariat to ensure that the national security system as a whole can develop, store, retrieve, and share knowledge.

-Forming Select Committees on National Security in the Senate and House of Representatives.

PNSR has determined the following problems with the current system:

-The system is grossly imbalanced, favoring strong departmental capabilities at the
expense of integrating mechanism.

-Executive Branch department and agencies are shaped by their narrowly defined core
mandates rather than by the requisites of broader national missions.

-The need for presidential integration to compensate for the systematic inability to
integrate or resource missions overly centralizes issues management and overburdens
the White House.

-A burdened White House cannot manage the national security system as a whole to be
agile and collaborative at any time, but it is particularly vulnerable to breakdown during
protracted transition periods between administrations.

-Congress provides resources and conducts oversight in ways that reinforce all these
problems and make improving performance extremely difficult.

PNSR Website: http://pnsr.org/index.asp

The press release and link to the executive summary can be found at:
http://www.pnsr.org/web/module/press/pressID/136/interior.asp

The preliminary finding report from July can be found at:
http://www.pnsr.org/data/images/pnsr%20preliminary%20findings%20july%202
008.pdf

Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School

The Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism was created in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The mandate of the Commission is to build on the work of the 9/11 Commission and complete a critical task: to assess our nation’s progress in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, and to provide a road-map to greater security with concrete recommendations for improvement. The Commission examines the government’s current policies and programs, identifying gaps in its prevention strategy and recommending ways to close them. These recommendations were recently released in a new report - World at Risk.

Here are some of the statements and recommendations from the report:

-Ours remains a world at risk and our margin of safety is shrinking, not growing. The Commission believes that unless the world community acts decisively and with great urgency, it is likely that a weapon of mass destruction will be used in a terrorist attack somewhere in the world by the end of 2013.

-Radically revamp our strategic policy on Pakistan. Conditions in that country pose a serious challenge to America’s short-term and medium-term national security interests.

-Develop a new blueprint to prevent biological weapons proliferation and bioterrorism.

-Reinvigorate the nuclear non-proliferation agenda. Nuclear terrorism is still a preventable catastrophe and it is our duty to stop nuclear trafficking and reaffirm the vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.

The Commission's website: http://www.preventwmd.org/

Press Release on Report: http://www.preventwmd.gov/12_2_2008/

This report can be downloaded directly from http://documents.scribd.com/docs/2avb51ejt0uadzxm2wpt.pdf

The report can be viewed or downloaded as a whole as in its various parts at the following website: http://www.preventwmd.gov/report/

Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School
**Text taken from Commission's website and press release.**

Maritime Domain Awareness Architecture Management Hub Strategy
http://www.doncio.navy.mil/Download.aspx?AttachID=710

"The Department of the Navy has been designated as the national lead for designing the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) enterprise architecture. Execution of this responsibility has been delegated to the DON Chief Information Officer. This strategy outlines how the DON CIO intends to carry out these responsibilities by leading an interagency effort to identify the standards and procedures that will allow maritime stakeholders to exchange MDA data and information more effectively, thus allowing leaders to make more timely and informed decisions in support of the nation's safety, security, economy and environment. By incorporating information assurance safeguards, the MDA enterprise architecture will ensure data is protected and accessible only to appropriate individuals."

**Wording taken from document's preamble**

The House Armed Services Committee - Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations has posted its report "Joint Improvised Explosive Device Organization: DOD's Fight Against IEDs Today and Tomorrow."

Available on the Internet:
http://armedservices.house.gov/pdfs/Reports/JIEDDOReport111908.pdf

**Press Release from Sub-Committee, November 19, 2008**

“We have to keep asking how we’re doing in this fight against IEDs,” Subcommittee Chairman Vic Snyder (D-AR) said. “We’ve made a huge investment in countering and defeating IEDs, but we still can’t say that the effort has been successful. We owe it to the men and women facing this threat everyday to provide them the best tools and training to keep them safe and defeat IEDs.”

"The Joint IED Defeat Organization has played an important role in helping our troops fight back against insurgents using IED's to terrorize civilians and military alike in Iraq and Afghanistan, said Subcommittee Ranking Member Todd Akin (R-MO). “JIEDDO was created as an agile and temporary organization to fight an emerging threat. The question now before us is where JIEDDO as an organization should go next. This report will hopefully help move that conversation forward thoughtfully."

Press Release: http://www.house.gov/list/press/armedsvc_dem/SnyderAkinPR111908.shtml

Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has released it newest report - "Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World." This is the 4th unclassified report from the National Intelligence Council in the past few years that gives a long-term view of the future.

**Statement from the Chairman of the National Intelligence Council**

"Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World" is the fourth unclassified report prepared by the National Intelligence Council (NIC) in recent years that takes a long-term view of the future. It offers a fresh look at how key global trends might develop over the next 15 years to influence world events. Our report is not meant to be an exercise in prediction or crystal ball-gazing. Mindful that there are many possible "futures," we offer a range of possibilities and potential discontinuities, as a way of opening our minds to developments we might otherwise miss.

Some of our preliminary assessments are highlighted below:

* The whole international system—as constructed following WWII—will be revolutionized. Not only will new players—Brazil, Russia, India and China— have a seat at the international high table, they will bring new stakes and rules of the game.

* The unprecedented transfer of wealth roughly from West to East now under way will continue for the foreseeable future.

* Unprecedented economic growth, coupled with 1.5 billion more people, will put pressure on resources—particularly energy, food, and water—raising the specter of scarcities emerging as demand outstrips supply.

* The potential for conflict will increase owing partly to political turbulence in parts of the greater Middle East.

As with the earlier NIC efforts—such as Mapping The Global Future 2020—the project's primary goal is to provide US policymakers with a view of how world developments could evolve, identifying opportunities and potentially negative developments that might warrant policy action. We also hope this paper stimulates a broader discussion of value to educational and policy institutions at home and abroad.

This and the other reports are available from
http://www.dni.gov/nic/NIC_2025_project.html

Latest Report: Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World --
http://www.dni.gov/nic/PDF_2025/2025_Global_Trends_Final_Report.pdf

Earlier Reports:

Mapping the Global Future: Report of the National Intelligence Council's 2020 Project
http://www.foia.cia.gov/2020/2020.pdf

GLOBAL TRENDS 2015: A Dialogue About the Future With Nongovernment Experts
http://www.dni.gov/nic/PDF_GIF_global/globaltrend2015.pdf

Global Trends 2010
http://www.dni.gov/nic/special_globaltrends2010.html

Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School

U.S. - CHINA COMMISSION CITES CHINESE CYBER ATTACKS, AUTHORITARIAN RULE, AND TRADE VIOLATIONS AS IMPEDIMENTS TO U.S. ECONOMIC AND NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS - Year-Long Study Offers 45 Recommendations to Congress

WASHINGTON, DC (November 20, 2008) - China relies on heavy-handed government control over its economy to maintain an export advantage over other countries. The result: China has amassed nearly $2 trillion in foreign exchange and has increasingly used its hoard to manipulate currency trading and diplomatic relations with other nations. These are among the conclusions in the sixth Annual Report to Congress of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. "Rather than use this money for the benefit of its citizens-by funding pensions and erecting hospitals and schools, for example--China has been using the funds to seek political and economic influence over other nations," said Larry Wortzel, chairman of the Commission, at the official release of the group's 2008 report to Congress on Thursday.

The bipartisan Commission, established by Congress to analyze the economic and national security relationship of the two nations, made 45 recommendations to Congress for further action. The 393-page report was unanimously approved by the 12 Commissioners. The Commission held eight hearings; travelled to China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan; commissioned original research; and consulted with the U.S. intellegence community.

The report acknowledges some progress by China. Its adherence to non-proliferation agreements has continued to improve. China's involvement in the Six Party Talks assisted the negotiations to dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons production capacity. Yet China has stepped up its capacity to penetrate U.S. computer networks to extract sensitive government and private information. Beijing's "continuing arms sales and military support to rogue regimes, namely Sudan, Burma, and Iran, threaten the stability of fragile regions and hinder U.S. and international efforts to address international crises, such as the genocide in Darfur," the report notes.

The report is critical of China's use of prison labor to produce goods for export and of China's refusal, despite promises, to allow inspections of prisons by advancing the specious claim that forced labor constitutes "reeducation" rather than punishment. The Commission also notes that China's government "has created an information control regime intended to regulate nearly every venue that might transmit information to China's citizens: the print and broadcast media, the Internet, popular entertainment, cultural activities, and education."

The Commission warns Congress that fish imported into the U.S. from Chinese fish farms "pose a health risk because of the unsanitary conditions . . . including water polluted by untreated sewage; fish contaminated by bacteria, viruses, and parasites; and fish treated with antibiotics and other veterinary medicines that are banned in the United States as dangerous to human health." The Commission recommends greater powers for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The report and its key findings, analysis, and recommendations to Congress are available on the Commission's Web Site: http://www.uscc.gov/index.php

2008 Report: http://www.uscc.gov/annual_report/2008/annual_report_full_08.pdf

Post on GovDoc-L from: Michael A. Yared, Librarian, Institute for Defense Analyses

**Text taken from website's home page**

The National Resource Directory is an online resource for for wounded, ill, and injured Service Members, Veterans, their families, and those who support them. It serves as an online partnership of "shared care" providing information on, and access to, services and resources for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans, their families and families of the fallen, and those who support them from recovery and rehabilitation to community reintegration.

It is maintained by the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs. The information in the Directory is from federal, state and local governmental agencies; veteran service and benefit organizations; non-profit community-based and faith-based organizations; academic institutions, professional associations and philanthropic organizations.

Website: https://www.nationalresourcedirectory.org/nrd/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=6006

**The descriptions below was taken from its "About Us" page.**

The National Science Digital Library (NSDL) is a creation of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide organized access to high quality resources and tools that support innovations in teaching and learning at all levels of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. NSDL provides an organized point of access to high-quality STEM content that is aggregated from a variety of other digital libraries, NSF-funded projects, and NSDL-reviewed web sites. NSDL is designed primarily for K-12 and Undergraduate instruction, but anyone can access NSDL.org and search the library at no cost. Access to most of the resources discovered through NSDL is free; however, some content providers may require a login, or a nominal fee or subscription to retrieve their specific resources.

NSDL serves as a nexus for educators, researchers, policy makers and the public by building bridges:

• Between private sector and public interests by providing access to resources such as publisher' journal articles, teacher-created lesson plans and real-time data sets from scientists;

• Between the scientific, research and educational communities by applying advanced technologies to stimulate new ways for educators and learners to access and use scientific information;

• Between teachers and learners at all levels, in all locations by supplying content and tools in open-access, non-proprietary formats in an easily accessible online environment.

NSDL Search Interface: http://nsdl.org/search
NSDL About Us Page: http://nsdl.org/about

**Courtesy of Amanda Price, Electronic Resources Assistant, University of Alabama Libraries, The University of Alabama**

**The descriptions below was taken from its "About Us" page.**

Scirus is a comprehensive science-specific search engine that searches over 480 million science-related webpages. This allows users to: pinpoint scientific, scholarly, technical and medical data on the Web; find the latest reports, peer-reviewed articles, patents, pre-prints and journals that other search engines miss; and offers unique functionalities designed for scientists and researchers. Scirus boasts of three key advantages to its website:

1. Filters out non-scientific sites. For example, if you search on REM, Google finds the rock group - Scirus finds information on sleep, among other things.

2. Finds peer-reviewed articles such as PDF and PostScript files, which are often invisible to other search engines.

3. Searches the most comprehensive combination of web information, preprint servers, digital archives, repositories and patent and journal databases. Scirus goes deeper than the first two levels of a Web site, thereby revealing much more relevant information.

Scirus Search Interface: http://www.scirus.com/srsapp
Scirus About Us Page: http://www.scirus.com/srsapp/aboutus

**Courtesy of Amanda Price, Electronic Resources Assistant, University of Alabama Libraries, The University of Alabama**

The Federal Reserve System is revamping their site with new information because of the current crisis.

Dynamic maps of Bank Card and Mortgage Delinquencies in the United States
http://data.newyorkfed.org/creditconditionsmap/

There is also a notice that the Statistical Supplement to the Federal Reserve Bulletin will cease both online and print versions at:
http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/supplement/default.htm

Of current topical interest is the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP)Information page at:
http://www.federalreserve.gov/bankinforeg/tarpinfo.htm

which it describes: The federal banking and thrift regulatory agencies encourage all eligible institutions to use the Treasury Department's Capital Purchase Program and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's Temporary Liquidity Guarantee
Program. On October 14, 2008, the U.S. government announced a series of initiatives to strengthen market stability, improve the strength of financial institutions, and enhance market liquidity. Treasury announced a voluntary Capital Purchase Program to encourage U.S. financial institutions to build capital to increase the flow of financing to U.S. businesses and consumers and to support the U.S. economy. Under the program, Treasury will purchase up to $250 billion of senior preferred shares on standardized terms."

Post on GovDoc-L from: Sande Borders, Documents Librarian, Los Angeles Public Library

The DOD Business Transform Agency (BTA) has posted its newest version of its "Enterprise Transition Plan." This plan incorporates the transition plans of Military Services, Components and the DoD Enterprise. This plan provides a roadmap for DOD to achieve it business transformation goals.

The 2008 Enterprise Transition Plan is available at:
http://www.defenselink.mil/dbt/products/2008_BEA_ETP/Sept2008/Data/September_2008_ETP.pdf

For more information on the ETP as well as links to more information on the BEA (Business Enterprise Architecture) and LRP (Laws, Regulations and Policies) go to:
http://www.defenselink.mil/dbt/products/2008_BEA_ETP/Sept2008/ETP.html

For earlier reports go to:
http://www.defenselink.mil/dbt/products/2008_BEA_ETP/Sept2008/ETP-Archive.html

Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School

The United Nations Office of Legal Affairs has launched the Audiovisual Library of International Law

http://www.un.org/law/avl

The Audiovisual Library aims to provide free, scholarly resources to students and practitioners around the world, particularly in regions where there are few resources for the study of international law.

The website has three main parts:

The Historic Archives present documents, photos, and digital film footage relating to the UN role in the development of international law. This section includes the texts of treaties, some General Assembly declarations, and certain Security Council resolutions. Each legal instrument also has a procedural history and/or related documents (travaux preparatoires).

The Lecture Series contains lectures by leading scholars on topics in international law, and includes a bibliography of related materials. The 100 lectures posted so far are each about an hour long and discuss various aspects of international law. Most are in English, but other official languages of the UN are also represented. Certain scholars contribute introductory texts for the Historic Archives as well as lectures.

The Research Library provides links to other web-based research resources in international law, including other UN sources, national treaty series, and selected scholarly articles provided by HeinOnline (still in pilot/beta).

The Office of Legal Affairs is digitizing the English version of UN documents related to the procedural histories, and more will be added to the site as resources allow.

**Information provided by Ms Susan Kurtas, Reference Team, Dag Hammarskjöld Library,
United Nations**

Information about the new administration, including video of Obama's speech on Election Night, can be found at http://change.gov. This is the official transition website, and it contains valuable information on the new government. There is also a blog and RSS feed for the site on the News tab. And there are several places to interact with the information and to submit suggestions and look for jobs!

**Courtesy of Amanda Clay Powers, Assistant Professor/Reference Librarian, Mitchell Memorial Library, Mississippi State University**

The Defense Science Board has posted its new report - "Defense Imperatives for the New Administration."

The direct link is
http://www.acq.osd.mil/dsb/reports/2008-11-Defense_Imperatives.pdf

or if can be found at http://www.acq.osd.mil/dsb/reports.htm

The subjects tackled in this report include:
**Protect and defending the homeland
**Maintaining capability to project for around the world to deter or defeat
**Bringing stability to states and regions
**Thwarting terrorism and bringing terrorists to justice, anytime and anywhere
**Supporting state and local authorities in providing domestic catastrophe relief

A variety of interesting graphs and charts are included.

Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School

The General Accountability Office (GAO) has launched a new transition website intended to help make the transition an informed and smooth one.

The website can be found at http://www.gao.gov/transition_2009/

The 13 urgent issues they identified are as follows and are in alphabetic order not priority order:

* Caring for Service Members
* Defense Readiness
* Defense Spending
* Food Safety
* Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan
* Oversight of Financial Institutions and Markets
* Preparing for Large-Scale Health Emergencies
* Protecting the Homeland
* Public Diplomacy and International Broadcasting
* Retirement of the Space Shuttle
* Surface Transportation
* The 2010 Census
* Transition to Digital TV

The website also includes sections on:
* Agency-by-Agency Issues
* Major Cost-Saving Opportunities
* Management Challenges Across the Government
* Long-Term Fiscal Outlook
* Examples of Upcoming GAO reports on Major National Issues


Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School

The latest Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Quarterly Report to the United States Congress (October 30, 2008) has been released and is available at
http://www.sigir.mil/reports/quarterlyreports/Oct08/pdf/Report_-_October_2008.pdf

Their website blurb says "This penultimate quarter of the Year of Transfer witnessed the emergence of nascent normalcy in Iraq. As U.S. reconstruction assistance continued to target civil and military capacity building, Iraq achieved progress on the security, political, and economic fronts. Violent incidents dropped to their lowest levels since 2004; the long-awaited Provincial Election Law finally passed; and commercial activity, spurred by Iraq's oil-revenue windfall, continued to increase. But, as General Ray Odierno, the new Commanding General,
Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNF-I), recently noted, Iraq "was a failed state [in 2006]. In 2008, it's a fragile state. We've got to move it to a stable state." To sustain progress in this direction, Iraq must improve its provision of security and essential services, such as electricity, potable water, sewage systems, and health care services."

Previous reports can be found at
http://www.sigir.mil/reports/quarterlyreports/default.aspx

Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School

The Congressional Bibliographies' primary goal is to be an authoritative, exhaustive reference source of meetings held and documents released by House and Senate committees. The Congressional Bibliographies focus on a select few of the types of publications issued by Congress as a part of the legislative process - hearings, prints, and publications. Its greatest emphasis is on Senate hearings.

Much of the work of Congress occurs in committees where members receive information from witnesses in hearings. Congress is interested in a wide range of topics, from foreign policy to finance, from agriculture to public health and sports. The transcripts of committee hearings are of great value in researching the issues facing our nation and the world. The Congressional Bibliographies identifies hearings held, hearings published, and hearings unpublished; and facilitates researchers' access to this important body of literature.

The Congressional Bibliographies project pursues its two goals with four different products.

* Authoritative lists of printed Senate Hearings, Prints and Publications
* Statistics and lists of Senate Unprinted Hearings
* Chronological lists of meetings held by House and Senate committees
* Searchable database of House and Senate committee meetings

Available on the Internet: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/congbibs/

Post on GovDoc-L from: John A. McGeachy, Social Sciences Reference Librarian, Research & Information Services Department, North Carolina State University

There is a great search engine hosted on Google for for students, faculty, researchers, and officials who are doing research in intergovernmental organization topics. The IGO Search searches across hundreds of IGO websites, enabling users to research topics such as active IGOs working on HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

Located at: http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=006748068166572874491:55ez0c3j3ey

**What is an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO)? Think United Nations or NATO.**

Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows its users to send and read other users' updates (otherwise known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length.

The Sunlight Foundation has created a widget where users can keep up with the latest tweets from members of Congress who use Twitter. The Sunlight Foundation’s Capitol Tweets widget updates you every 10 minutes with the latest tweets from members of Congress.

Users can download the widget from the following website:
http://sunlightfoundation.com/capitoltweets/

For a list of the Members of Congress who Twitter go to the following website:
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Members_of_Congress_who_Twitter

El Camino Hacia una Vida Saludable: Basado en las Guías Alimenticias para los Estadounidenses = The road to a Healthy Life: Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in collaboration with the Office of Minority Health and Office on Women's Health. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 2008.
SUDOC: HE 1.2:R 53/SPAN.-ENG

This booklet is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005. Enclosed are the basic guidelines for eating a healthy diet and being physically active. The information is primarily geared toward the Hispanic/Latino community, and is written in both Spanish and English.

This booklet, as well as Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2005, 6th ed.) can be found at:
http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines

Additional information about food groups, nutrition values, and ideas on physical activity can be found at: http://www.healthierus.gov

Snider, L. Britt. The Agency and the Hill: CIA’s Relationship with Congress, 1946-2004. Washington, DC: Center for the Study of Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency, 2008.

This is a study of the CIA’S relationship with Congress, from the creation of the Agency until 2004. In Part I of the book, the author portrays how Congress and the Agency related before and after the creation of the committees on select intelligence, and discusses how the Agency shared intelligence and Congress managed oversight. Part II describes what the relationship produced over time: legislation affecting the Agency; programs and budget; oversight of analysis; oversight of collection; oversight of covert action; oversight of security and personnel matters; and the Senate confirmation process. It highlights what the principal issues have been for Congress in each area as well as how those issues have been handled.

Available on the Internet: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS101665

**Taken from Preface.**

Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents. Washington, D.C.: Veterans Administration, 2007.

Veterans of the United States armed forces, and their immediate families or dependents, may be eligible for a broad range of programs and services provided by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits are legislated in Title 38 of the United States Code. This booklet contains a summary of these benefits effective January 2, 2008. Covered in this booklet are the following topics: VA Health Care; Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities; VA Pensions; Education and Training; Home Loan Guaranty; VA Life Insurance; Burial and Memorial Benefits; Reserve and National Guard; Special Groups; Transition Assistance; Benefits for Dependents and Survivors; Appeals of VA Claims Decisions; Military Medals and Records; and Benefits Provided by Other Federal Agencies.

Available on the Internet: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS2622

Evidence of Trends, Risk Factors, and Intervention Strategies: A Report from the Healthy Start National Evaluation 2006: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Infant Mortality. Rockville, MD: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, 2008.
SUDOC: HE 20.9202:T 72

The rate of infant mortality in the United States declined by 74% from 1960 – 2000; however, there are racial/ethnic disparities in birth outcomes where there is a notably higher rate of infant mortality than other races/ethnicities. The groups with the highest rates of infant mortality (in descending order) are: Blacks, American Indian/Alaska Natives, and Puerto Ricans.

This report provides information about the national Healthy Start program and other perinatal health initiatives to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in birth outcomes. The racial/ethnic disparities in birth outcomes are described and the evidence on behavioral, biological, and social risk factors for poor perinatal outcomes in the context of such racial/ethnic disparities is reviewed. The risk factors are: prenatal care, folic acid use, periodontal care, infant sleep position, breastfeeding, well-child care, interconceptional care, maternal smoking, alcohol and other drug use, adolescent pregnancy, perinatal depression, stress, bacterial vaginosis, domestic violence, and maternal birthweight. The findings from this study provide an evidence base for designing and evaluating initiatives such as Health Start that are intended to reduce or eliminate disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.

Available on the Internet: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS99065

Other resources and information available at the Maternal and Child Health Bureau:
http://mchb.hrsa.gov/

**Information from Executive Summary.**

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis. Bethesda, MD: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 2006.
SUDOC: HE 20.3323:D 64/2006

The National Institutes of Health publishes informational pamphlets discussing various diseases, conditions, and syndromes. This one discusses Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis, a disease affecting 50% of Americans the age 60 and older. This pamphlet discusses the causes of the disease, its symptoms, and medical solutions.

Look for this pamphlet or others like it at the following websites:

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS99064

Also visit National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/a-z.asp

Also visit Health Information at the National Institutes of Health:
http://health.nih.gov/

Transforming Diplomacy: Engage with the World. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, 2008.
SUDOC: S 1.2:D 62/17

This brochure discusses the many resources and programs offered by the State Department with the aim to expand the understanding of foreign affairs in young people, their educators, and community leaders. Some of the programs mentioned include: inviting a diplomat into the classroom in person or through videoconferencing, engaging in international exchanges, or browsing the Department’s website.

An overview of the State Department’s Youth and Education offerings:
http://www.state.gov/youthandeducation

The State Department website designed for students, parents, and teachers:
http://future.state.gov

Foreign Policy briefings, videoconferences, or Hometown Diplomat Program e-mail form:
http://contact-us.state.gov

Classroom Resources Online Lesson Plans:
http://www.future.state.gov/educators/lessons

Classroom Resources Downloadable exhibit on the Marshall Plan:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/dc/exhib/mp

Order educational videos and curriculum materials:
http://videodirect.state.gov

For more information about the Department of State:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho

The Energy Star Challenge: Build a Better World 10% at a Time. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation, 2007.
SUDOC: EP 1.2:EN 2/27/TOOLKIT

This toolkit teaches users how they can be part of the ENERGY STAR Challenge by helping improve the energy efficiency of America’s commercial and industrial buildings by 10% or more. Users will learn how to: measure and track energy use; develop a plan for energy improvements; make energy efficiency upgrades; and help spread the energy efficiency word to others. Another great feature of the toolkit is that users can learn more about energy efficiency for specific building types. The Fast Facts section provides useful statistics to help understand the important role commercial and industrial buildings play in global climate change.

Information available on the Internet: http://www.energystar.gov

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has a website, Liber8, that provides access to the world of economic data and information. The "Featured Resource" section updates content with each Liber8 newsletter. Browsing menus lets users search by subject or source. The new map links you directly to GeoFred, where users can create data maps for employment, labor force, and more.

GeoFRED http://geofred.stlouisfed.org
1. Users can create multiple maps with the same data for all available years, months, and quarters. For instance, a user can create a .pdf of unemployment by state that includes the data for the past ten years.
2. Users can now download all the data available for the economic indicators in GeoFRED.
3. Users can define for themselves the class intervals (that is, the data ranges) to suit their needs.
4. Users now have the ability to save a map to their personal account.

Also check out the new content at their FRASER site: http://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Statistical Atlas of the United States 1914
Statistical releases - H.6 completed 1976-1999, G.17 1990-1997
Descriptions of Federal Reserve Districts (decentennial) 1922-1998
Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization

Post on GovDoc-L from: Katrina Stierholz, Director of Library and Research Information Services, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

An independent task force, chaired by former Senators Daniel Coats and Charles Robb and sponsored by the Bipartisan Policy Center, recently released their report entitled "Meeting the Challenge: U.S. Policy Toward Iranian Nuclear Development."

This 94 page report is available directly from:
http://www.bipartisanpolicy.org/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/8448

or from their main website at: http://www.bipartisanpolicy.org/

Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School

September 12, 2007, marked the official debut of The Dirksen Congressional Center's new online version of Congress in the Classroom® - http://moodle.congressclass.org - an award-winning course for teachers. This improved version of the course uses a more interactive approach, featuring many options to engage you (and the instructor) in the course materials.

Congress in the Classroom® Online will help you understand today's Congress and suggest ways to teach about it. The self-paced online course is organized around the twin responsibilities of Congress members: representation and lawmaking. There are twenty individual units on such topics as "What Makes for Effective Members of Congress?" "How Representative is the Membership of Congress?" and "Lawmaking: Understanding the Basics."

Do you teach social studies, American government, American history, or civics? Are your lessons about the U.S. Congress out of date? Is it hard to engage your students in learning about the House and Senate? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then Congress in the Classroom® Online is the course for you!

Link for the Dirksen Congressional Center: http://www.dirksencenter.org/

Post on GovDoc-L from: Cindy Koeppel, Dirksen Congressional Center

The Department of Defense released their latest quarterly report on the situation in Iraq. The September 2008 version of the "Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq" report is now available at:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/d20080930iraq.pdf

The report includes various useful graphs and charts including: the production and export of oil; oil revenue; average electricity demand and production; average daily hours of electrical power by Province; weekly security incident trends; civilian deaths; ISF and US Military deaths; ethno-sectarian deaths; high profile attacks (explosions); Iraqi Security Forces numbers and more

These reports to Congress are issued in accordance with the Department of Defense Appropriations Act 2008 (Section 9010, Public Law 109-289; Section 9204, Public Law 110-252)

Previous editions of the report can be found at:
http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/Iraq_Reports/index.html

Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School

The Project on National Security Reform [PNSR] headed by James Locher III released their case studies volume today. This "Case Studies" volume one looks at: the decision to invade Iraq; the national counterintelligence mission; human trafficking; U.S.-India Civil Nuclear cooperation agreement; managing U.S.-China crises; Somalia; Bosnia and Kosovo and more.

This 650 page report is available directly at:
http://www.pnsr.org/data/files/pnsr%20weitz%20case%20studies%20vol%20i.pdf

The press release is available at:
http://www.pnsr.org/web/module/press/pressID/116/interior.asp

Other reports and related information [including literature reviews, articles and conference proceedings] can be found on their main website is http://www.pnsr.org/

The PNSR is a non-partisan group that was established to "assist the nation in identifying and implementing the kind of comprehensive reform that the government urgently needs."

Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School

Pfaff, Christine. The Bureau of Reclamation’s Architectural Legacy: 1902-1955. Denver, CO: U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, 2007.
SUDOC: I 53.2:AR 2/14

The Bureau of Reclamation is an agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and oversees water resource management, specifically as it applies to the oversight, operation, or both, of numerous water diversion, delivery, and storage, and hydroelectric power generation projects it built throughout the western United States.

This history explores Reclamation offices and residences constructed between 1902 and 1955. Due to the remote location of most Reclamation engineering works, the Bureau had to provide temporary or permanent housing and office space for its employees during project construction and the ongoing operation and maintenance of its engineering assets. Also discussed are the influence of architectural styles on Reclamation’s offices and residences following the progression of popular national and regional styles. Some of the projects covered are the Boulder Canyon, Columbia Basin, Central Valley, Colorado-Big Thompson, and Missouri River Basin projects. One important component of this volume is the extensive collection of maps, plans, and photographs.

Available on the Internet: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS93386

Warfare in the Age of Non-State Actors: Implications for the US Army. The Proceedings of the Combat Studies Institute 2007 Military History Symposium. Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Institute Press, 2007.
SUDOC: D 110.16:2007

This book explores the challenges associated with conflict between nation-states and transnational religious, ethnic, or criminal groups. It also examined the historical experiences of both the United States and other nations in this most asymmetric of environments in an attempt to distill the insights from the past can provide us guidance into the future.

Available on the Internet at: http://usacac.army.mil/CAC2/CSI/CSISymposium-2007.pdf

The annual Combat Studies Institute Military History Symposium provides a forum for the interchange of ideas on historical topics pertinent to the current doctrinal concerns of the United States Army. Furthermore, the Symposium solicits input from a diverse group of military personnel, government historians, civilian academicians, journalists, and thinkers in a setting that promotes the exchange of ideas and information.

Previous reports are available at: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS93670

**Text taken from book's preface**

State of Minority Business in America. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency, 2007.
SUDOC: C 1.102:M 66/4

This hand held disc provides information on minority businesses in America in the year 2007, with information for every state. Spinning the disc allows users to find out information on: Total Number of Minority Firms, Gross Receipts, and Number of Paid Employees. Also included are statistics on the following ethnic groups: Black or African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.

For more information go to: http://www.mbda.gov/

The Astronomical Almanac for the Year 2009. Washington, DC: Nautical Almanac Office, 2008.
SUDOC: D213.8:2009

The Astronomical Almanac contains a wide variety of both technical and general astronomical information. The material appears in sections, each section addressing a specific astronomical category and also includes references to the material, explanations, and examples. The book is joint publication between U.S. Naval Observatory and Her Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office (HMNAO) in the UK.

**Text from book’s product description at Amazon.com**

This information, and other supplemental materials, are available on the Internet at: http://asa.usno.navy.mil/index.html

Mayer, Dale C. Presidential Libraries Holdings Relating to Prisoners of War and Missing in Action. revised ed. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 2007.
SUDOC:AE 1.124:104/2007

This guide describes records relating to prisoners of war and missing in action that are preserved in the Presidential libraries. It covers materials relating to World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and events in neighboring Laos and Cambodia, and the Pueblo incident. The guide also offers helpful advice on the policies and procedures of the Presidential Libraries.

The Thurgood Marshall Law Library has recently added two timely Congressional Research Service (CRS) research summaries to its Special Collections & Digital Projects collection. The Cost of Government Financial Interventions, Past and Present and Proposal to Allow Treasury to Buy Mortgage-Related Assets to Address Financial Instability have been written in response to the financial turmoil occurring in the United States financial markets.

The Cost of Financial Interventions, Past and Present attempts to answer questions about the recent financial interventions by the government in the business of private corporations. Sources of funding and the costs to the taxpayer are discussed. The AIG, Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, and Bear Stearns cases are used as examples. A table of a Summary of Current and Historical Financial Interventions by the Federal Government is also supplied.
Available on the Internet:
http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/crsreports/crsdocuments/RS22965_09232008.pdf

Proposal to Allow Treasury to Buy Mortgage-Related Assets to Address Financial Instability explains Treasury Secretary Paulsen's [draft of 9/21/2008] plan for legislative authorization to allow direct intervention in the economy. This report analyzes the proposals by answering frequently asked questions.
Available on the Internet:
http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/crsreports/crsdocuments/RS22957_09222008.pdf

Post on GovDoc-L from: Bill Sleeman, Assistant Director for Technical Services,
Thurgood Marshall Law Library, The University of Maryland School of Law

OpenCRS.com provides a directory of websites where you can find almost 4,000 CRS reports. Included in the directory is the National Council for Science and the Environment, Federation of American Scientists, Thurgood Marshall Law Library/University of Maryland School of Law, National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, and the Center for Democracy & Technology.

This website is available at: http://opencrs.com/

The Government Documents Department at the University of North Texas, in collaboration with the University of Texas and Oklahoma State University, also has CRS reports available to the public.

This collection is available at: http://digital.library.unt.edu/govdocs/crs/

In Contact!: Case Studies from the Long War. William G. Robertson, General Editor. Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Institute Press, 2006.
SUDOC: A 13.36/2-6:R 8-RG-238/2008

This new periodical from the historians at the Combat Studies Institute (CSI) provides case studies of both lethal and nonlethal missions performed by Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. The events chronicled span the spectrum of participants from officers to noncommissioned officers and from combat units to support personnel. The information comes from unclassified material and interviews with many of the key participants in each of the events.

Available on the Internet: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS88531

Talladega National Forest, Talladega and Shoal Creek Ranger Districts: America's great outdoors, Alabama, 2008. [Atlanta, Ga.]: Forest Service, US Dept. of Agriculture; Denver, CO: USGS Information Services, 2008.
SUDOC: A 13.36/2-6:R 8-RG-238/2008

The Talladega National Forest, located in Central Alabama, covers 392,567 acres at the southern edge of the Appalachian Mountains. Before it was bought by the federal government in the 1930s, the area was extensively logged and represented some of the most abused, eroded wastelands in all of Alabama. Pine forest regrowth now hosts a diverse eco-system. The tiny 7,400 acre Cheaha Wilderness preserves a portion of this natural wealth near Rebecca Mountain.

More information on the Taladega National Forest:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/alabama/aboutus

Reynolds,Nicholas E. U.S. Marines in Iraq, 2003: Basrah, Baghdad and Beyond. Washington, D.C.: History Division, U.S. Marine Corps, 2007.
SUDOC: D 214.13:IR 1/2

This book is about Marines during the first stage of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). It spans the period from 11 September 2001 to March and April 2003, when the Coalition removed Saddam Hussein from power, and concludes in November 2003 when the Marines left Kuwait to return to their home bases in the United States. The primary focus of the book is I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) – the run-up to the war in 2002 and early 2003, especially the development of “the plan,” with its many changes, the exhaustive rehearsals, and other preparations, and then the conduct of decisive combat operations and the immediate postwar period, mostly under the control of the U.S. Central Command’s Coalition Forces Land Component Command. The book also touches upon other Marine activities in the Military Coordination and Liaison Command in northern Iraq and with the British in the south. Finally, the book is a beginning to the examination of the early phases of the war in Iraq, a foundation for future scholarship and discussion.

**Text obtained from book’s forward.**

Available on the Internet: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS99051

Cole, Hugh M. The Lorraine Campaign. United States Army in World War II. European Theater of Operations. Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, U.S. Army: For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O., 2007.
SUDOC: D 114.7:EU 7/V.1/2007

When the United States Army in World War II series was first published, it had three objectives. The first was to provide the Army itself with an accurate and timely account of its varied activities in mobilizing, organizing, and employing its forces for the conduct of war – an account that will be available to the service schools and to individual members of the Armed Services who wish to extend their professional reading. The second objective is to help enlarge the thoughtful citizen’s concept of national security by describing the basic problems of war and the manner in which these problems were met. The third objective was to preserve for the record a well-merited tribute to the devotion and sacrifice of those who served.

The Lorraine Campaign was originally published in 1950, but has been re-released several times over the years. The current volume is an exhaustive study on the Lorraine Campaign during World War II and includes several maps detailing troop movements and battles.

**Text obtained from book’s preface.**

1950 Volume available on the Internet:
http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/lorraine/lorraine-content.html

Brown, Glenn, and Bushong, William. Glenn Brown's History of the United States Capitol. Annotated ed. in commemoration of the Bicentennial of the United States Capitol. Washington, D.C.: [U.S. G.P.O.] : For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O., [2007].
SUDOC: Y 1.1/2:SERIAL 14909

Glenn Brown published a two volume history of the history of the United States Capitol, providing important information on the building and its art collection. This annotated update provides more information concerning Brown's sources and valuable perspectives on his viewpoints and limitations. This book details the history and evolution of the Capitol's architecture, design, and lay-out as originally envisioned by Pierre L'Enfant, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and succeeding generations.

Available on the Internet: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS92765

First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, 1912-2007: memorial tributes in the One Hundred Tenth Congress of the United States. Washington: U.S. G.P.O. : For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O., 2008.
SUDOC: Y 1.1/2:SERIAL 15075

This is a compilation of addresses and tributes as given in the United States House of Representatives and Senate plus additional materials, including the texts of eulogies, messages, prayers, and scriptural selections delivered at the memorial services held at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Riverbend Center, on the life, character, and service of Lady Bird Johnson, former First Lady of the United States.

**Text obtained from book’s contents.**

Available on the Internet: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS95859

Memorial Services in the Congress of the United States and Tributes in eulogy of Gerald R. Ford, late a President of the United States. Washington : U.S. G.P.O. : [Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O., distributor], 2007.
SUDOC: Y 1.1/2:SERIAL 15117

This is a compilation of addresses and tributes as given in the United States House of Representatives and Senate plus additional materials, including the texts of eulogies, messages, prayers, and scriptural selections delivered at the funeral services held in Palm Desert, CA, Washington, D.C., and in Grand Rapids, MI, on the life, character, and public service of the late President Gerald R. Ford. Also includes text from Naming Ceremony for the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford.

**Text obtained from book’s contents.**

Available on the Internet: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS95813

Experimental Forests and Ranges. [Portland, Or.?] : Pacific Northwest Research Station, [2008].
SUDOC: A 13.66/2:EX 7

The USDA Forest Service’s system of Experimental Forests and Ranges provides an incredible wealth of records and knowledge of environmental change in natural and managed forest and rangeland ecosystems across the United States. The present system of 78 Experimental Forests and Ranges has been established progressively since 1908; many sites are more than 50 years old. The system provides places for long-term science and management studies in major vegetation types of the 195 million acres of public land administered by the Forest Service. Individual sites range from 47 to 22,500 ha in size.

This is a map showing the location of the Experimental Forests and Ranges. The map also provides a brief chronology of the program and a description for some of these forests and ranges.

United States Army, Center of Military History: Considering a Career as a Historian in the Federal Government: A Quick Guide. [Fort Belvoir, VA]: U.S. Army, Center of Military History, [2008?].
SUDOC: D 114.12:C 18

Many history graduate students preparing to enter the academic job market fail to consider career openings in the federal government, and in particular those civilian positions in one of the military services. Graduate students completing their dissertation, regardless of specialization (not just military history), should consider these positions. This pamphlet discusses the opportunities available for interested Historians and strategies they should use to successfully obtain one of these positions.

Guide to Coping with Deployment and Combat Stress. Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD : U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, 2008.
SUDOC: D 101.6/5:ST 8

The United States Army published a manual to help soldiers deployed in combat areas. The guide covers: Combat & Operational Stress Reactions; Coping with Stress in Stability and Support Operations; Providing Support to Soldiers in Distress; Helping a Soldier in Distress for Leaders; Coping with Deployment Separation; Sleep Management and Soldier Readiness; and The Injured and Dead. This is a quick guide that may be useful for people preparing for deployment overseas.

Available on the Internet: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS95861

U.S.-Muslim Engagement Project in affiliation with the Search for Common Ground (SFCG) organization released its report today. The report is entitled "Changing Course: A New Direction for U.S. Relations with the Muslim World."

The report "represents the consensus of an exceptionally diverse, senior, bipartisan and inter-faith group of 34 American leaders who have worked together over the last 18 months. Their work was supported by Search for Common Ground and CBI, two organizations that specialize in building consensus on controversial public issues."

The report is available directly from
http://www.sfcg.org/programmes/us/pdf/Changing%20Course.pdf

OR

http://www.usmuslimengagement.org/storage/usme/documents/Changing_Course_-_A_New_Direction_for_US_Relations_with_the_Muslim_World.pdf

or as a link from SFCG website
http://www.sfcg.org/programmes/us/us_engagement.html

or from the

U.S.-Muslim Engagement Project website
http://www.usmuslimengagement.org/

For a list of the 34 Leaders go to
http://www.sfcg.org/programmes/us/pdf/USME%20Overview%209%2012%2008%20li
sting%20of%20LG%20only.pdf

Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School