The United States Government Manual 1999/2000, Preface, Contents

The United States Government Manual

1999/2000

Office of the Federal Register

National Archives and Records Administration

Revised June 1, 1999

Raymond A. Mosley,

Director of the Federal Register.

John W. Carlin,

Archivist of the United States.

On the Cover: A montage of images depicting American urban and rural life; inventions, industry, and immigration; nuclear testing and space exploration; wartime scenes and peace demonstrators; inventors and civil rights leaders; and Presidents and their families. These photographs are among those included in ``Picturing the Century: One Hundred Years of Photography from the National Archives.'' This free exhibit, on display in the Circular Gallery of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, presents nearly 200 photographs selected from the National Archives and Records Administration's vast holdings. Most of the photographs were taken by Federal Government employees or contractors or were collected by a Federal agency; some were taken by distinguished photographers, while others are uncredited. They depict momentous events, capture the hopes and fears of the American people, and illustrate the transformation of American society during the 20th century. ``Picturing the Century'' is on display through July 4, 2001.

For information on NARA's holdings, exhibits, and publications, visit the National Archives Internet site at http://www.nara.gov/.

For sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office

Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-9328

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 statement of the agency's purpose and role in the Federal Government, a brief history of the agency, including its legislative or executive authority, a description of its programs and activities, and a

``Sources of Information'' section. This last section provides information on consumer activities, contracts and grants, employment, publications, and many other areas of public interest.

The 1999/2000 Manual was prepared by the Presidential and Legislative Publications Unit, Office of the Federal Register. Maxine L. Hill was Lead Editor, and Karen L. Ashlin was Managing Editor, assisted by Anna Glover, Michael Hoover, Jennifer Mangum, and Karen Thornton.

The Federal Register and Its Special Editions

The Manual is published as a special edition of the Federal Register

(see 1 CFR 9.1). Its focus is on programs and activities. Persons interested in detailed organizational structure, the regulatory documents of an agency, or Presidential documents should refer to the Federal...