Government Documents

Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month

November is Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month!  Designated in 1990 by former President George H.W. Bush, this month-long celebration is a time to recognize and honor Native American history, culture, and stories.  This year, the Department of Interior’s theme is “Weaving Together Our Past, Present, and Future,” chosen as a way to honor the ongoing work across Indian Country that recognizes the troubled legacy of U.S.-Tribal relations while celebrating Tribal revitalization. 

Indian tribes are considered, by federal law, to be "domestic, dependent nations."  Over 550 tribes are recognized by the U.S. federal government, while hundreds more are unrecognized.  While tribal limitations mirror those of state sovereignty, they still have the right to form their own governments and courts, enforce civil and criminal laws, and much more.  Today, contemporary activists are further advocating for issues such as the restoration of tribal lands, the protection of cultural traditions, and even taking more deliberate climate action.  Consequently, Native American Heritage Month remains a holiday to honor those who came before and continue after. 

We invite you now to browse some of our department’s resources and commemorative display as we celebrate Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month 2024!  The display can be found at Marx Library on 2nd Floor South with a pamphlet and 7-page bibliography for additional information.

November 11th is Veterans Day / Veterans History Project

November 11th is Veterans Day. To celebrate, the Government Documents Department is highlighting the Library of Congress’s Veterans History Project (VHP). In late 2000, Congress directed the Library of Congress to initiate a nationwide project to collect the stories of veterans, family members, defense-industry workers, and similar individuals who had served with the United States military in the 20th century.

As a result, the VHP collects, preserves, and makes accessible the firsthand recollections of U.S. military veterans who have served, so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand what they saw, did, and felt during their service. The Veterans History Project welcomes collections from or about veterans who served in the U.S. military, in any capacity, from World War I to the more recent conflicts and peacekeeping missions. Under the Gold Star Families Voices Act, VHP also accepts oral histories by immediate family members (parent, spouse, sibling, or child) of “members of the Armed Forces who died as a result of their service during a period of war.”

Know a veteran you’d like to highlight? Stop by the Gov Docs Dept., and we’ll get you started on the collection and submission process. To learn more, check out this informational brochure and 3-page bibliography. 

Topics in the News -- Some recent reports from the Congressional Research Service:

Application of the Bill of Rights to the States Through the Fourteenth Amendment and Selective Incorporation  (10/31/24)

Defense Primer: Gold Star Designation (10/31/24)

Student Loan Debt Relief: The Biden Administration’s Second Proposed Rule  (10/31/24)

The Impact of the “Securing the Border” Interim Final Rule on Migrant Encounters and Processing  (10/31/24)

Central American Migration: Root Causes and U.S. Policy  (10/30/24)

Election 2024: Recent Court Rulings on Voting and Counting Ballots  (10/30/24)

Election and Voting Law: Resources for Congressional Staff  (10/30/24)

Russia-North Korea Relations  (10/30/24)

The Exceptions Clause and Congressional Control over Supreme Court Jurisdiction (10/30/24)

Escalation of the Israel-Iran Conflict  (10/29/24)

Stealing Trade Secrets and Economic Espionage: An Overview of the Economic Espionage Act  (10/29/24)

Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah: Conflict and Escalation  (10/25/24)

Hamas: Background, Current Status, and U.S. Policy  (10/23/24)

The North Atlantic Right Whale: Conservation Trade-Offs with Selected Marine Sectors and Considerations for Congress  (10/23/24)

U.S. Secret Service: Threats to and Assaults on Sitting Presidents and Vice Presidents  (10/23/24)

Voter Registration: Overview of Federal Involvement and Policy Considerations  (10/21/24)

War Powers Resolution: Expedited Procedures in the House and Senate  (10/21/24)

Israel and Hamas: Killing of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar  (10/18/24)

Israel and U.S. Aid: Humanitarian Access in Gaza  (10/17/24)

The College Cost Reduction Act (H.R. 6951)  (10/16/24)

Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visa Categories: Data Brief  (10/15/24)

Science and Technology Issues for the 118th Congress  (10/15/24)

Elections and Hurricanes Helene and Milton  (10/11/24)

Russian Military Performance and Outlook  (10/10/24)

False Statements and Perjury: An Overview of Federal Criminal Law   (10/8/24)

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants: A Primer  (10/8/24)

The Equal Time Rule for Political Candidates: Constitutional Context  (10/7/24)

Federal Support for Reproductive Health Services: Frequently Asked Questions   (10/4/24)

Israel and Hamas Conflict In Brief: Overview, U.S. Policy, and Options for Congress  (10/4/24)

Federal Election Results:  Frequently Asked Questions  (10/3/24)

State Minimum Wages: An Overview  (10/3/24)

Copyright and Uses of Music by Political Campaigns  (10/2/24)

The Purple Heart: Background and Issues for Congress  (10/2/24)

Federal Habeas Corpus: A Legal Overview  (10/1/24)

The Origination Clause of the U.S. Constitution: Interpretation and Enforcement  (10/1/24)

The Port Strike’s Effect on Maritime Commerce  (10/1/24)