SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 896

WHEREAS, For more than a century, the Legislative Reference Library has provided invaluable assistance to Texas lawmakers; and

WHEREAS, Housing a specialized collection of materials including original legislative bill files dating back to the 63rd Session, historical and current publications of legislative committees, of state agencies, and of institutions of higher education, legal resources, and periodicals, the library is well positioned to support the varied and extensive work of legislators; and

WHEREAS, The library's electronic data systems expedite the delivery of knowledge to the legislative community; the Texas Appointment System contains information on members of state councils, boards, and committees appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker; the Legislative Archive System holds the only electronic version of original legislative bill files and documentation, while the Index to Sections Affected details the proposed statutory effect of bills; moreover, the library maintains Texas Legislators: Past & Present, highlighting legislative membership information from 1846 to today, as well as a legislative reports database covering that same period, and it archives gubernatorial executive orders, messages, and proclamations; and

WHEREAS, During legislative sessions, the library plays an integral part in the legislative process; staff members develop electronic records in the Texas Legislative Tracking System for each bill or resolution filed; assign and enter subject terms and companion relationships; and review enrolled legislation for effective dates of each measure; moreover, library staff members stationed on the floor of the house and senate chambers enter legislative actions as they occur, furnishing real-time information to the legislative community, to executive agencies, and to citizens of this state through such proprietary applications as TLIS (the Texas Legislative Information System) and TLO (Texas Legislature Online); and

WHEREAS, Among the services the library offers are a bill status hotline for constituents; professional and confidential research; a daily legislative clipping service; weekly listings of important journal articles; and monthly listings of newsworthy additions to the library's collection;

WHEREAS, Guided skillfully by director and librarian Mary Camp, the Legislative Reference Library staff includes assistant director and librarian Catherine Wusterhausen, administrative and legislative staff members Leah Alejandro, Donald Brower, Elizabeth Buchanan, Emilie Jezisek, Michelle Martinez, Kali Palmer, Julia Walden, and Jay Young, clipping service staffers Vincent Cowan, David Wood, and Karen Wright, and librarians Ali Dzienkowski,CassandraGallegos,SallyHarlow,MelanieHarshman, Karen McBurney, Rona Mertink, Amanda Norman, Kay Schlueter, Ana Sifuentes-Martinez, Brandon Vasquez, Nancy Watson, Lindsay Wickham, and Ia Wood; and

WHEREAS, These hardworking professionals demonstrate a commitment to excellence as they perform their duties with skill and dedication, and they may take justifiable pride in the important services they provide to the legislature and to the citizens of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby honor the Legislative Reference Library and extend to the staff members sincere appreciation for their outstanding contributions; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for the library as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Schwertner

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 26, 2017.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate