117 STAT. 1870 PUBLIC LAW 108–139—DEC. 1, 2003

Public Law 108–139

108th Congress

Joint Resolution

Commending the Inspectors General for their efforts to prevent and detect waste,

fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, and to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the Federal Government during the past 25 years.

Whereas the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) was

signed into law on October 12, 1978, with overwhelming bipartisan support;

Whereas Inspectors General now exist in the 29 largest executive

branch agencies and in 28 other designated Federal entities;

Whereas Inspectors General work to serve the American taxpayer

by promoting economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity in

the administration of the programs and operations of the Federal

Government;

Whereas Inspectors General conduct audits and investigations to

both prevent and detect waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement

in the programs and operations of the Federal Government;

Whereas Inspectors General make Congress and agency heads

aware, through semiannual reports and other communications,

of problems and deficiencies in the administration of programs

and operations of the Federal Government;

Whereas Congress and agency heads utilize the recommendations

of Inspectors General in the development and implementation

of policies that promote economy and efficiency in the administration of, or prevent and detect waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in, the programs and operations of the Federal

Government;

Whereas Federal employees and other dedicated citizens report

information to Inspectors General regarding the possible existence

of an activity constituting a violation of law, rules, or regulations,

or mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority,

or a substantial and specific danger to public health and safety;

Whereas Inspector General audits and investigations result in

annual recommendations for more effective spending of billions

of taxpayer dollars, thousands of successful criminal prosecutions,

hundreds of millions of dollars returned to the United States

Treasury through investigative recoveries, and the suspension

and debarment of thousands of individuals or entities from doing

business with the Government; and

Whereas for 25 years the Inspectors General have worked with

Congress to facilitate effective oversight to improve the programs

and operations of the Federal Government: Now, therefore, be

it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the

United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress—

Dec. 1, 2003

[S.J. Res. 18]

PUBLIC LAW 108–139—DEC. 1, 2003 117 STAT. 1871

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 18 (H.J. Res. 70):

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 149 (2003):

Oct. 14, considered and passed Senate.

Nov. 17, considered and passed House.

Æ

(1) recognizes the many accomplishments of the Inspectors

General in preventing and detecting waste, fraud, abuse, and

mismanagement in the Federal Government;

(2) commends the Inspectors General and their employees

for the dedication and professionalism displayed in the performance of their duties; and

(3) reaffirms the role of Inspectors General in promoting

economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration

of the programs and operations of the Federal Government.

Approved December 1, 2003.