Understanding the Basics: What is the “Statutes at Large”?,Statutes at Large


Okay, let’s break down the publication of “United States Statutes at Large, Volume 60, 79th Congress, 2nd Session” as published on govinfo.gov and put it into context.

Understanding the Basics: What is the “Statutes at Large”?

Imagine you’re building a Lego set. The instruction manual tells you how to put the pieces together. The “Statutes at Large” is like the official instruction manual for all the laws that the United States Congress passes. It’s the official record of all acts of Congress and concurrent resolutions, arranged in chronological order by the date they were enacted.

  • Statutes: These are the laws that Congress passes. They can cover a vast range of topics, from setting taxes to regulating businesses to creating new government programs.
  • Concurrent Resolutions: These are statements or expressions of opinion adopted by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. They don’t have the force of law in the same way as a statute, but they can be important for indicating Congressional intent or expressing a shared sentiment.

Deconstructing the Publication Title

Let’s dissect the title “United States Statutes at Large, Volume 60, 79th Congress, 2nd Session”:

  • United States Statutes at Large: As we’ve established, this is the official title of the publication.
  • Volume 60: The Statutes at Large is organized into volumes. Each volume covers a specific period. Volume 60 contains the laws passed during the period it covers.
  • 79th Congress: The United States Congress operates in two-year terms. Each term is called a Congress. The 79th Congress refers to the Congress that was in session from 1945 to 1946.
  • 2nd Session: Each Congress has two sessions, roughly corresponding to each year. The 2nd session of the 79th Congress would therefore be the year 1946.

Therefore, “United States Statutes at Large, Volume 60, 79th Congress, 2nd Session” contains the laws passed by the U.S. Congress during the year 1946.

Significance of the 79th Congress (1945-1946)

The 79th Congress was a pivotal period in American history. Why? Because it immediately followed World War II. Here are some key aspects of this era and the types of legislation you might find in Volume 60:

  • Post-War Reconstruction and Reconversion: A major focus was on transitioning the U.S. economy from a wartime footing back to a peacetime one. This involved demobilizing the military, dealing with returning veterans, and converting factories from war production to civilian goods.
  • GI Bill (Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944): While enacted in 1944, the 79th Congress would have dealt with the implementation and potential amendments to the GI Bill, which provided education, housing, and loan benefits to veterans. This had a transformative impact on American society.
  • International Relations: The immediate post-war period saw the formation of the United Nations and the beginning of the Cold War. Legislation related to international agreements, foreign aid, and national security would have been prominent.
  • Domestic Issues: Congress also addressed domestic issues like housing shortages, labor disputes, and price controls (which were remnants from the war effort).
  • Atomic Energy Act of 1946: This landmark legislation established the Atomic Energy Commission to control and regulate the development of atomic energy in the United States. This was a direct result of the Manhattan Project and the use of atomic bombs during World War II. This law is likely present in Volume 60.
  • Administrative Procedure Act of 1946: This act set ground rules for the administrative agencies. This act can also be found in Volume 60.

Why is this Publication on Govinfo.gov Important?

  • Accessibility: Govinfo.gov provides free public access to official government information, including the Statutes at Large. This allows anyone to research the laws passed during a particular period.
  • Preservation: Govinfo.gov ensures the long-term preservation of these important historical documents.
  • Transparency: By making these records publicly available, the government promotes transparency and accountability.
  • Historical Research: Historians, legal scholars, and researchers rely on the Statutes at Large to understand the evolution of American law and policy.
  • Legal Research: Lawyers and legal professionals use the Statutes at Large to trace the history of legislation and to interpret the meaning of current laws.

The Significance of the Date: 2025-05-08 21:43

The date and time “2025-05-08 21:43” represents when the digital version of “United States Statutes at Large, Volume 60, 79th Congress, 2nd Session” was published (or perhaps updated) on Govinfo.gov. It indicates the availability of the online resource as of that moment.

In Summary

“United States Statutes at Large, Volume 60, 79th Congress, 2nd Session” is a vital historical and legal document that contains the laws passed by the U.S. Congress in 1946. Its publication on Govinfo.gov ensures its accessibility, preservation, and promotes transparency in government. The 79th Congress was a crucial period for the United States, as it navigated the transition from war to peace and laid the foundation for the post-war world. This particular volume of the Statutes at Large would be invaluable for anyone researching that era.


United States Statutes at Large, Volume 60, 79th Congress, 2nd Session


The AI has delivered the news.

The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:

At 2025-05-08 21:43, ‘United States Statutes at Large, Volume 60, 79th Congress, 2nd Session’ was published according to Statutes at Large. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.


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