Okay, let’s break down what “United States Statutes at Large, Volume 78, 88th Congress, 2nd Session” means and then discuss the type of content you’d find in it, all in a clear and understandable way.
Understanding the Title
The title “United States Statutes at Large, Volume 78, 88th Congress, 2nd Session” is packed with information. Here’s a breakdown:
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United States Statutes at Large (Stat.): This is the official record of all laws and resolutions passed by the United States Congress. Think of it as the definitive collection of everything Congress has enacted. It’s the official publication of federal laws.
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Volume 78: The Statutes at Large is a multi-volume set. Each volume covers a specific period. Volume 78 contains the laws passed during the period it covers.
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88th Congress: The United States Congress operates in two-year terms. Each two-year period is designated a specific number (e.g., 88th, 118th). The 88th Congress convened from January 3, 1963, to October 3, 1964.
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2nd Session: Each Congress has two sessions, one per year. The 2nd Session of the 88th Congress refers to the portion of the 88th Congress that took place in 1964.
What’s Inside Volume 78?
Volume 78 of the Statutes at Large contains the complete text of every law and resolution passed by the 88th Congress during its second session (1964). This includes:
- Public Laws: These are laws that apply to the general public. They cover a huge range of topics, such as taxation, environmental regulations, defense, social security, and criminal justice.
- Private Laws: These are laws that benefit specific individuals, groups, or entities. These are much rarer than public laws. An example would be a law to settle a claim against the government.
- Joint Resolutions: These are similar to laws and require the approval of both the House and the Senate, and they are generally signed by the President (though some types, like those proposing constitutional amendments, are not).
- Concurrent Resolutions: These resolutions express the sentiment of both houses of Congress but do not have the force of law. They are often used for things like setting the congressional calendar.
- Simple Resolutions: These resolutions concern the rules or internal affairs of one chamber of Congress (either the House or the Senate). They do not have the force of law.
Examples of Laws You Might Find in Volume 78 (Keep in mind this is just speculation based on the historical context):
Given that the 88th Congress took place in 1964, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement and the escalating involvement in Vietnam, here are some examples of the types of laws you might find (though without direct examination, it is impossible to say definitively):
- Civil Rights Legislation: Laws related to voting rights, desegregation, and equal employment opportunities. (The landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 was indeed enacted during this session of Congress and would be included in Volume 78).
- Appropriations Bills: Laws that allocate funding to various government agencies and programs, including defense spending for the Vietnam War.
- Social Welfare Programs: Laws related to Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid (while Medicare/Medicaid was enacted in 1965, there could be preparatory or related legislation).
- Economic Legislation: Laws related to taxation, trade, and economic development.
Why is the Statutes at Large Important?
- Official Legal Record: It serves as the official source for the text of federal laws.
- Legal Research: Lawyers, researchers, and citizens use it to find and understand the laws of the United States.
- Historical Context: It provides a record of what Congress was working on at a particular time in history, offering insights into the issues and concerns of the era.
- Permanent Record: It provides a permanent, bound record of laws.
How to Access and Use the Statutes at Large:
- GovInfo.gov: The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) makes the Statutes at Large available online through its GovInfo.gov website (as you linked to). This is the most readily accessible way for most people to view the content.
- Law Libraries: Law libraries at universities, courthouses, and other institutions typically have physical copies of the Statutes at Large.
- Legal Databases: Commercial legal databases like Westlaw and LexisNexis also provide access to the Statutes at Large.
In summary:
Volume 78 of the United States Statutes at Large is a historical record of all the laws and resolutions passed by the 88th Congress during its second session in 1964. It’s a crucial resource for legal research, historical understanding, and anyone seeking to understand the laws that govern the United States. Because the 88th Congress was active during the Civil Rights Movement, laws enacted in this time frame would be extremely significant to understanding the legal and social context of the time.
United States Statutes at Large, Volume 78, 88th Congress, 2nd Session
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The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-06-09 20:30, ‘United States Statutes at Large, Volume 78, 88th Congress, 2nd Session’ was published according to Statutes at Large. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-t o-understand manner. Please answer in English.
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