I

105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. J. RES. 58

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

OCTOBER 2, 1998

Referred to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight

JOINT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the accomplishments of Inspectors General since

their creation in 1978 in preventing and detecting waste,

fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, and in promoting

economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the Federal Government.

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 27 largest executive agencies and in 30 other designated Federal entities;

Whereas Inspectors General 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 and supervise audits and

investigations to both prevent and detect waste, fraud
2

SJ 58 RFH

and abuse in the programs and operations of the Federal

Government;

Whereas Inspectors General make Congress and agency

heads aware, through semiannual reports and other activities, of problems and deficiencies relating to the administration of programs and operations of the Federal

Government;

Whereas Inspectors General work with Congress and agency

heads to recommend policies to promote economy and efficiency in the administration of, or preventing and detecting waste, fraud and abuse in, the programs and operations of the Federal Government;

Whereas Inspectors General receive and investigate information from Federal employees and other dedicated citizens

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 actions result in, on a yearly

basis, recommendations for several billions of dollars to

be spent more effectively; thousands of successful criminal prosecutions; hundreds of millions of dollars returned

to the United States Treasury through investigative recoveries; and the suspension and disbarment of thousands

of individuals or entities from doing business with the

Government;

Whereas for 20 years the Offices of Inspectors General have

worked with Congress to facilitate the exercise of effective legislative oversight to improve the programs and op-
3

SJ 58 RFH

erations of the Federal Government: Now, therefore, be

it

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That the Congress—

4 (1) recognizes the many accomplishments of the

5 Offices of Inspectors General in preventing and de6 tecting waste, fraud, and abuse in the Federal Gov7 ernment;

8 (2) commends the Offices of Inspectors General

9 and their employees for the dedication and profes10 sionalism displayed in the performance of their du11 ties; and

12 (3) reaffirms the role of Inspectors General in

13 promoting economy, efficiency and effectiveness in

14 the administration of the programs and operations

15 of the Federal Government.

Passed the Senate October 1 (legislative day, September 29), 1998.

Attest: GARY SISCO,

Secretary.