United States Government Manual is the official handbook of the Federal Government, published annually by the United States Government Printing Office. The first edition was issued in 1935; before the 1973/74 edition it was known as the United States Government Organization Manual.
The Manual provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. It also includes information on quasi-official agencies; international organizations in which the United States participates; and boards, commissions, and committees. One of the Appendices has a cumulative list of Federal Executive Agencies Terminated, Transferred, or Changed in Name Subsequent to March 4, 1933. The Manual begins with reprints of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
A typical federal agency description includes:
- A brief history of the agency, including its legislative or executive authority.
- A description of its programs and activities.
- A list of officials heading major operating units.
- A summary statement of the agency's purpose and role in the Federal Government.
- Information, addresses, websites and phone numbers to help users locate detailed information on consumer activities, contracts and grants, employment, publications, and other matters of public interest.
The Manual is published as a special edition of the Federal Register. It is prepared by the Presidential and Legislative Publications Unit of the Office of the Federal Register in the National Archives and Records Administration. Its focus is on programs and activities.
GPO Access contains the U.S. Government Manual for 1995-96 and all subsequent editions to the present. The new edition of the Manual is available to the Public each year in the late summer.
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—George Orwell (1903–1950)