• Hurricane Katrina
• Terrorism
• Education
• Census 2000
• Health
• General
• History

Hurricane Katrina

In September 2005, the Congress created a Bipartisan Committee to investigate government agencies' preparation for and response to Hurricane Katrina. This is the "official, edited and corrected copy with the findings stemming from it to the U.S. House of Representatives and the American people for their consideration." Also released in print, and available for check-out in the Government Publications collection, call number Y 1.1/8:109-377. There is a supplementary report, call number Y 1.1/8:109-396

The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned
http://www.whitehouse.gov/reports/katrina-lessons-learned/

A report requested by President George Bush and compiled by personnel from the Homeland Security, Defense and Transportation Departments, the FBI, and the U.S. Public Health Service. The chapters examine national preparedness pre-Katrina, a "week of crisis" covering August 29-September 5, and recommendations on improving disaster preparedness. Also released in print, and available for check-out in the Government Publications collection PREX 1.2:K 15

Environmental Impacts of Hurricane Katrina [.pdf]
http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/hurricane_katrina/

A summary of work currently done by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Links go to an assessment of the marine mammal and turtle health in the area, impact on wetlands, and how the storm affected the region's socioeconomic condition.

Contents Government Publications Home page

Terrorism

Resource Guide on Terrorism and Related Current Events [.pdf]
http://www.bsu/edu/library/media/pdf/htfterrorism.pdf

Search various websites on terrorism. Provides links to news, general information, coping with disasters, the Taliban, and more.

The Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction
http://www.wmd.gov/report/

The bi-partisan presidential commission was established in 2004, and   reported its findings and recommendations on March 31, 2005. The report criticizes the information- gathering activities of several government agencies. Also available in print format in the Government Publications collection, call number PREX 1.19:IN 8/W 37

Department of Homeland Security
http://www.whitehouse.gov/deptofhomeland/

Home page of this new federal department. Includes the organizational structure, actions taken since September 11th, overview and analysis of the Homeland Security Act, speeches by President Bush, and other background information on homeland security.

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States
http://www.9-11commission.gov/

Also known as the 9-11 Commission, this is an independent, bipartisan commission created by Congress and President Bush.

Contents Government Publications Home page

Education

National Center for Education Statistics: The Condition of Education 2005
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2005094

Annual report on the current state of education in the United States. Includes a special analysis of nontraditional undergraduate students, and of the reading achievement of kindergarten and first grade students.

Contents Government Publications Home page

Census 2000

U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/

The Survey complements the national census taken every ten years. The most recent data is from 2004, taken from over 800 geographical areas. There are rankings for states, cities, and counties on topics like Spanish-speaking households, average commute to work, and median household income.

U.S. Census Bureau
http://www.census.gov/

Provides economic and demographic statistics and characteristics for the United States, the 50 states, and counties. Includes geographic resources.

Indiana and Census 2000
http://www.census.indiana.edu/

Provides information on the census in Indiana.

Ancestry 2000 [.pdf]
http://www.census.gov/prod/2004pubs/c2kbr-35.pdf

When the U.S. Census Bureau conducted the 2000 census, they allowed people to pick more than one group for "ancestry or ethnic origin." This 12-page brief analyzes the responses received in the Census. Findings include the fact that "nearly one of every six people reported their ancestry as German" and "African American and Mexican were the most commonly reported ancestries in the ten largest cities in the United States." A print copy of this report is available in the Government Publications collection, call number C 3.205/8-2:35. 

Contents Government Publications Home page

Health

National Cancer Institute's The Health Consequences of Smoking 2004: A Report of the Surgeon General's
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/sgr/sgr_2004/index.htm

The most recent report of this long-running series documents the health effects of smoking, which kills an estimated 440,000 Americans each year. There is $75 billion in direct medical costs and $82 billion in lost productivity. The online report includes an animated feature on the health consequences of smoking on the human body (requires Macromedia Flash Reader), and several fact sheets in English and Spanish.

National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza: Implementation Plan
http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/pandemic-influenza.html

Outlines the federal plan to deal with a possible outbreak of influenza A(H5N1), or "bird flu," including a color-coded chart of incidents and reactions. Also discusses health-related responsibilities of the states, counties, and cities in dealing with an epidemic. A print copy of this report is available in the Government Publications collection, call number PR 43.8:H 75/2/IN 3/2

Pandemicflu.gov and AvianFlu.gov
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

"One-stop access to U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information," sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Includes maps of flu outbreaks and bird migration routes.

MyPyramid.gov
http://www.mypyramid.gov/

A re-working of the Food Guide Pyramid established in 1992, this new guide describes how to make wise food choices and introduce physical activity into your daily life. There are links to Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005, and to resources for professional nutritionists.  My Pyramid Plan and My Pyramid Tracker lets you create an eating and exercise program tailored to your age, gender, and activity situation.

Contents Government Publications Home page

General

Avoid ID Theft: Deter, Detect, Defend
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

The Federal Trade Commission provides tips for business and consumers. Includes steps to take if you suspect identity theft, and a quiz to test your knowledge of the subject.

Visible Proofs: Forensic Views of the Body
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/visibleproofs/

This online exhibit created by the U.S. National Library of Medicine capitalizes on the popular interest in forensic medicine. The exhibit traces the history of the field, and includes historic cases and illustrations, such as description of Abraham Lincoln's autopsy. There is a section with online activities and lesson plans, and the "Resources" link has a K-12 bibliography. Requires Macromedia Flash Player.

Finding and Using Government Information On the Web
http://www.bsu.edu/library/collections/govpubs/webinfo

Based on a presentation by Ball State University librarians, this site provides a good starting point to locating government information online. The recommended websites are grouped into categories such as parks and travel, law, health, consumer information, weather, tax information, local information, and government sites for kids.

Contents Government Publications Home page

History

Bound for Glory: America in Color, 1939-1943 
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/boundforglory/

Although the physical exhibit is closed, you can view the online exhibit of color pictures taken by photographers of the Farm Security Administration and Office of War Information from 1939 to 1943. The images and captions are searchable by keyword or location. The American Memory complete collection of color and black-and-white photos is available at http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/fsowhome.html

Contents Government Publications Home page

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