Parliament and Congress describes and compares the constitutional background and procedures of these two legislative bodies. Currently unsolved problems often have much in common, in vexed areas such as ethics requirements or how procedural rules permit minorities fair access to legislative time before majorities prevail. British successes include the enhanced authority and effectiveness of select committees and the acquisition of more debating time by the creation of a parallel Chamber. Unsolved problems at Westminster begin with the powers and status of the Lords, and go on through the search for more effective review of EU activities, adapting parliamentary scrutiny to more sophisticated government financial information, and making better use of legislative time without diminishing back-bench rights.
The accelerated pace and extent of procedural changes in Congress is problematic. Constant pursuit of campaign funds, increased party exploitation of Members' ethical shortcomings, and partisan reapportionments, have diminished collegiality and compromise. Business is conducted with greater predictability, with fewer quorum calls, postponement and clustering of votes, and by utilization of ad hoc special orders, often in derogation of openness and minority rights in the House. Minority complaints have been frequent and occasionally extreme. Conversely constant filibuster threats in the Senate have enhanced minority party power there. An 'inverse ratio' between the greater complexity, importance, and urgency of pending legislation on the one hand, and diminution of deliberative capacity, fairness. and transparency on the other, has been repeatedly demonstrated, especially at the stage of final compromises between the Houses.

The constitutional background of both legislatures and their procedures are described and where possible compared. Currently unsolved problems often have much in common, in vexed areas such as ethics requirements or how procedural rules permit minorities fair access to legislative time before majorities prevail. British successes include the enhanced authority and effectiveness of select committees and the acquisition of more debating time by the creation of a parallel Chamber. Unsolved problems at Westminster begin with the powers and status of the Lords, and go on through the search for more effective review of EU activities, adapting parliamentary scrutiny to more sophisticated government financial information, and making better use of legislative time without diminishing back-bench rights.
The accelerated pace and extent of procedural changes in Congress is problematic. Constant pursuit of campaign funds, increased party exploitation of Members' ethical shortcomings, and partisan reapportionments, have diminished collegiality and compromise. Business is conducted with greater predictability, with fewer quorum calls, postponement and clustering of votes, and by utilization of ad hoc special orders, often in derogation of openness and minority rights in the House. Minority complaints have been frequent and occasionally extreme. Conversely constant filibuster threats in the Senate have enhanced minority party power there. An 'inverse ratio' between the greater complexity, importance, and urgency of pending legislation on the one hand, and diminution of deliberative capacity, fairness. and transparency on the other, has been repeatedly demonstrated, especially at the stage of final compromises between the Houses.

"I Am Sam" 10 Keys for success from "Green Eggs & Ham" will help leaders discover the value of being different and how to offer that differences to a waiting world. Author Charles Johnson takes you on a journey of his personal discover using the well-known children's story by Theodore "Dr. Seuss" Geisel and gives helpful nuggets for success to leaders in the secular and spiritual arena. In the book you will discover *What is your Green Eggs & Ham * The Power of Focus * The Value of Making the Offer * What is IEEO? After reading Charles's insight gained from this childhood favorite you will know what your Green Eggs & Ham are and how to offer it to the world. Keep it Green

From the book jacket: "Hub" to friends, family and colleagues, the author is described in the Foreword by naturalist Charles W. Johnson as: ... a cornerstone at the University of Vermont, a selfless teacher, a passionate conservationist, and a man of unusual modesty who willingly shares his knowledge of-and delight in-the natural world. I even heard someone describe him as "a rarity-a botanist with charisma." Now, we all are given the opportunity to know him through his own written words. ON SCHILLHAMMER ROAD: THE LIFE OF A BOTANIST is] a personal rendering of a life lived close to home and close to nature, each reinforcing the other, bringing real meaning and satisfaction.

From The First Congress To End Of Second Session Of The Fifty-Fifth Congress, 1789-1898.

This book is intended to provide a basic outline of the numerous steps of our federal lawmaking process from the source of an idea for a legislative proposal through its publication as a statute. The legislative process is a matter about which every person should be well informed in order to understand appreciate the work of Congress.

From The First Congress To End Of Second Session Of The Fifty-Fifth Congress, 1789-1898.

- Section I: "How Our Laws Are Made," by Charles W. Johnson, Parliamentarian (ret.), U.S. House of Representatives, (2003) - Section II: "The Legislative Process," by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider, Ch. 8 in the Congressional Deskbook (TheCapitol.Net 2007)

Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was created by the U.S. government during World War II to aid in the construction of the first atomic bomb. Drawing on oral history and previously classified material, this book portrays the patterns of daily life in this unique setting.