Encyclopedia of Federal Agencies and Commissions (Facts on File Library of American History)

513 Pages·2004·3.3 MB·English

by  Kathleen Thompson Hill

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
FEDERAL AGENCIES
AND COMMISSIONS

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
FEDERAL AGENCIES
AND COMMISSIONS
Kathleen Thompson Hill
&
Gerald N.Hill
Encyclopedia ofFederal Agencies and Commissions
Copyright © 2004 by Kathleen Thompson Hill and Gerald N.Hill
All rights reserved.No part ofthis book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by
any means,electronic or mechanical,including photocopying,recording,or by any infor-
mation storage or retrieval systems,without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Library ofCongress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hill,Kathleen,1941–
Encyclopedia offederal agencies and commissions / by Kathleen Thompson Hill
&Gerald N.Hill.
p.cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8160-4843-6
1.Administrative agencies—United States—Encyclopedias.
2.Executive departments—United States—Encyclopedias.3.Independent
regulatory commissions—United States—Encyclopedias.4.United States—
Politics and government—Encyclopedias.I.Hill,Gerald N.II.Title.
JK9.H536 2004
351.73’03—dc222003061221
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Text design by David Strelecky
Cover design by Cathy Rincon
Line illustrations by David Hodges
Printed in the United States ofAmerica
VB FOF 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
P p
CONTENTS
introduction vii
executive branch 1
Executive Office ofthe President 3
The Cabinet 36
Department ofAgriculture 39
Department ofCommerce 45
Department ofDefense 57
Department ofEducation 84
Department ofEnergy 91
Department ofHealth and Human Services 119
Department ofHomeland Security 189
Department ofHousing and Urban Development 198
Department ofInterior 230
Department ofJustice 244
Department ofLabor 269
Department ofState 283
Department ofTransportation 301
Department ofthe Treasury 324
Department ofVeterans Affairs 335
independent entities and commissions 347
quasi-official agencies 443
legislative branch 449
Congress 451
judicial branch and federal court system 461
the constitution 465
bibliography 483
index 485
P p
INTRODUCTION
The United States bears little resemblance to the enters everyone’s life, and the individual must
uncertain experiment in a democratic republic knowwhere to look to meet those standards or
that was launched in 1789 with a population of even be sure what they are.
almost 4 million.The Executive Branch was oper- For people to gain the full benefits ofgovern-
ated by three departments—State,Treasury,and ment programs,avoid difficulties ofdealing with
War—and an attorney general.Secretary ofState the government, and avoid the snares lurking
Thomas Jefferson had a total staff of five clerks. among government bureaucracy and arcane reg-
The entire armed forces—army and navy—con- ulations,clearly understood information must be
sisted of718 men.The budget was numbered in readily available. The government and its pro-
the thousands, not trillions, and the money grams are not a neat package. Often they were
came primarily from tariffs and some licensing, created by a historic chance to meet an emergency
for an income tax would not be legalized for 125 need and linger on (such as farm subsidies).
years. Constantlyin the throes ofcreation and evolu-
As the nation grew in size, population, and tionof competing ideas,the federal government
power,the government expanded and took on new is rife with redundancies, often creating confu-
functions to meet the needs and challenges ofthe sion even among the agencies themselves, with
changing world. The challenge of the American duplicated and overlapping offices and programs.
people to deal with the government has become For example, the “intelligence community” is
morecomplex and difficult.The era when Presi- scattered in a dozen locations,as if each agency
dent Abraham Lincoln would set aside time each wanted its own intelligence office.To sort these
week to listen to the problems and requests of out, both public and private officials and busi-
averagecitizens is just a quaint memory. nesses needroadmaps tofind their way through
Government assistance has become common- the Cretan maze that is the U.S.government.
place—for business,for agriculture,or through In the most powerful,far-reaching,and com-
available loans to make home purchase possible. plex government in the history of the world, a
The individual can greatly benefit from knowing single source that shows the public how to navi-
where and how that federal aid can be obtained. gate through its complexities is essential. Our
In some cases, the federal government protects goal is to create that guide.The fledgling govern-
our society from foul air,contaminated water,or ment of1789 is a success,even with its uniquely
spreading disease. American pitfalls.We hope to help readers and
The federal government occasionally steps in researchers find their way through the bureau-
toguaranteeindividual rights against ethnic dis- cratic gridlockand enjoy the trip.
crimination, vote fraud, or stock manipulation —Kathleen Thompson Hill
(or at least it tries to). Government regulation Gerald N.Hill
vii

executive
branch