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Category: Congress

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Frances Giden Berko

Posted by: Margaret Wood

I recently re-read one of my favorite childhood books, Karen by Marie Killilea.  The book recounts the struggles of the author’s daughter who was born with cerebral palsy and her challenges to lead a normal life.  The author also mentions Frances Giden Berko who had cerebral palsy as well and this caught my attention because …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Joint Sessions and Meetings of Congress

Posted by: Margaret Wood

On September 24, 2015, Pope Francis delivered a speech before a joint meeting of Congress.  I thought it would be interesting to provide some information about joint sessions and meetings of Congress–what they are, how they occur and where one can find historical information about joint sessions. The Senate website defines a joint session as …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Constitution Day – The Annotated Constitution Celebrated

Posted by: Margaret Wood

Thursday, September 17th is Constitution Day and on this date we commemorate the signing of the Constitution.  This day also recognizes those who have become citizens of the United States by coming of age or by naturalization.  The Law Library frequently celebrates this auspicious day with a lecture or scholarly debate.  Over the years we …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Baking at the Capitol

Posted by: Margaret Wood

No, this is not a post about summer temperatures in Washington, D.C.  Rather, this is a post that a number of us have been dreaming about for several years.  For some curious reason, baking and law librarianship seem to be inextricably linked: many law librarians are master bakers, and those that are not are master …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Oath of Office

Posted by: Margaret Wood

On January 6, 2015 434 representatives and 33 senators will take the following oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, …