The United States Government Manual 2008/2009, Preface, Contents

• Pages: i-ix

The United States Government Manual

2008/2009

Office of the Federal Register

National Archives and Records Administration

Revised June 1, 2008

Raymond A. Mosley,

Director of the Federal Register.

Allen Weinstein,

Archivist of the United States.

On the cover: 100 years of celebrating the Grand Canyon as a national monument.

As one of the most majestic sites in the world, the Grand Canyon

(Canyon), located in Grand Canyon, Arizona, overwhelms the imagination with its magnitude and captivating beauty. Its dimensions are immense and its grandeur timeless, measuring 1 mile deep, up to 18 miles wide, and 277 river miles long. Many scientists conclude that the gorge of the Grand Canyon was shaped by the Colorado River in Arizona and parts of Nevada over a period of more than 6 million years.

The Canyon is dubbed one of the natural wonders of the world largely because of its splendid natural features. It boasts exotic plant life, ancient pueblos, stunning multi-colored rocks, colorful waters, and magnificent waterfalls. Also, vast species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians, fish, and birds exist at the Canyon, many threatened or endangered but protected under the Endangered Species Act.

President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Grand Canyon National Monument (Monument) on January 11, 1908, to protect the Canyon from uncontrolled development. The Monument was managed by the U.S. Forest Service until 1919 when it was proclaimed a national park and management transferred to the National Park Service.

Today, two Native American tribes still inhabit the Grand Canyon. The Havasupai live on a reservation inside the Canyon and are the only permanent inhabitants, where they and their ancestors have lived for over 800 years. The Hualapai live in the mountains along the pine-clad southern side of the Canyon. They operate a visitors' center, including a skywalk which projects over the Canyon's rim.

Popular with tourists today are the numerous lookouts, trails, and raft and boat excursions. The contrast of sun and shadow against the vast array of rock-forms creates changing hues of radiance along the Canyon's walls. The magnificence of the Canyon will forever be a vision of unparalleled beauty. In this centennial year of its designation as a national monument, please join us in celebrating its splendor.

We accord special thanks to the National Park Service and the Library of Congress for providing the images used on the cover. We also thank Creative and Digital

Media Services at the Government Printing Office for its artistic contributions in designing the cover.

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office

Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512-1800; DC area

(202) 512-1800

Fax: (202) 512-2250 Mail: Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-0001

ISBN 978-0-16-078659-4

Preface

As the official handbook of the Federal Government, The United States Government Manual provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The Manual also includes information on quasi-official agencies; international organizations in which the United States participates; and boards, commissions, and committees.

A typical agency description includes a list of principal officials, a summary...