Office Supply Service A major undertaking in the Office Supply Service last year was the installation of a computer system. This provides a computerized "check out" system, wherein each of 2500 items in our stock has been given a "barcode". When a sale is made at a checkout station, the clerk uses a "light pen" to read the Member's account card and the prices on the items being purchased. The computer prints the sales ticket, charges the Member's account, and deducts the item from inventory. The installation of this highly sophisticated system is a major step forward in the operations of the Office Supply Service and is a continuation of the long-range program of modernization, self-service and efficiency we have been seeking in that department. Business in the Office Supply Service was not drastically enlarged last year, but gross sales did increase by 10 percent to a total of $3,734,706. OFFICE OF RECORDS AND REGISTRATION The Office of Records and Registration is charged with four major areas of responsibility, as follows: the administration and implementation of the Clerk's statutory obligations under the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) and the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (FRLA); serving as archivist for the U. S. House of Representatives pursuant to House Rules; and to make the official monthly payroll certifications and various other documents available for public inspection. Office of Records and Registration (Continued) Under the FECA, the Office of Records and Registration is required to receive reports and statements filed by candidates for the documents were filed pursuant to the FECA. This figure represents amendments. Under the Federal Lobbying Act, as with the FECA, the Clerk has the responsibility of receiving reports and statements, providing receipts to those filing, compiling a report of lobbyists for the Congressional Record, and making reports available to the public for inspection and copying. Approximately 12,500 lobbying reports were received in 1977. Mr. Chairman, the public and press are very interested in reviewing the documents available in the Office of Records and Registration. In 1977 there were more than 1,400 requests to review microfilm--300 for House payroll and 1,100 for campaign reports filed under the FECA. In addition, approximately 6,500 lobbying reports had to be located in the files and made available to meet the requests of some 400 individuals. OTHER OFFICES In the interest of brevity, Mr. Chairman, I shall not elaborate in detail on the House Recording Studio's work, other than to indicate that various improvements were accomplished in their internal operations and a large number of overtime hours were worked; the House Library, which reported a 10 percent increase in the number of Members' using its facilities; and the various legislative offices (Bill Clerk, Journal Clerk, Tally Clerk; Reading Clerks and the Enrolling-Digest Clerk) where a group of highly dedicated and motivated employees work diligently each session on the House Floor to serve the membership. Two groups of employees will be added to the legislative employees that I supervise effective March 1st when the Reporters of Debate and Reporters to Committees are designated to come under the Office of the Clerk. Mr. Chairman, the annual reports from all my departments are a valuable source of information on the workload operations and the goals of the employees supervised by the Clerk. I shall be happy to make them available to you for review. 22 Office of Finance For example, one institution which waives In addition, a composite check Four full-time counselor positions actually saved employees money. proved to be very popular with employees. The counselors continued the equally Documents Over 13,000 identification cards I can report that it is being done very well. The work carried out in the Office of Finance is vital to the operations of the House. PROPERTY SUPPLY AND REPAIR SERVICE Mr. Chairman, our operations last year started with the beginning of the 95th Congress--a new Congress, a new session, and many retiring and new Members to move from their offices or install in their offices as the situation demanded. The first few weeks of the first session kept our staff very busy as we provided furniture and furnishings to all offices that had Property Supply and Repair Service requirements for desks, chairs, drapes, rugs, file cabinets, etc. All of these items are provided on a day-to-day basis for the Cannon, Longworth House restaurants. We have operating under the Property Supply Service various shops with highly skilled personnel. These include the Cabinet Shop, Finishing Shop, Carpet Shop, Drapery Shop, Upholstery Shop, Locksmith Shop, and our Labor Force. I shall not endeavor to list all the work that is accomplished in these shops or departments, but I will touch on a few of the projects or activities. Property Supply prepares in detail the complete specifications for intricate furniture bid invitations. We normally make large procurements through competitive bidding procedures that require advertising, a public bid opening, contract awards, and supervision of the contract provisions. This work is done within the management office of Property Supply. No consultant fees are paid. We have awarded contracts during the past several months for desks, chairs, desk organizers, file cabinets, and carpeting. The Carpet Shop is responsible for the installation, repair and cleaning of over $3 million worth of carpets that are estimated to cover over 50 acres of space in our various buildings. We have a cleaning program that schedules "shampoo" crews into offices at night that office work |