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
________________________________
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
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate