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Presidential Documents Research Guide

Introduction

Presidential documents include Executive Orders and proclamations, as well as other documents such as determinations, letters, memorandums, and reorganization plans. This guide focuses on the most important Presidential documents for legal research: Executive Orders and proclamations. This guide describes these materials and where to find them in print, on the web, Lexis, Westlaw, and microfiche.

Public Papers of the President. One very convenient source for Presidential public messages, speeches, and statements is the Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States series (J80 .A283). This series is published by the National Archives and Records. Dates of coverage for the print series are: 1929-1933 and 1945–2004. Public Papers of the President is also available online as a searchable database on the GPO Access web site from 1992-. The Government Printing Office (GPO) plans to add volumes covering years before and after these years on an incremental basis.

Additionally, HeinOnline, now includes the Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States in its U.S. Presidential Library.

Lexis has a database that combines the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents and the Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States (Legal > Federal Legal - U.S. > Executive Branch Materials > Public Papers of the Presidents). Coverage begins on March 24, 1979.

For assistance in locating these or other resources, please ask a librarian for help.

Executive Orders

Executive Orders are official documents that the President issues to manage the operations of the federal government. The text of an Executive Order first appears in the Federal Register. Beginning with Executive Order 7316 of March 13, 1936, the text also appears in the annual edition of Title 3 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Executive Orders are also available on the web, Lexis, Westlaw, and in a comprehensive microfiche set from CIS.

• Federal Register: KF70 .A2 (older issues on microfiche in Media Services); also available electronically via GPO Access and Hein Online
• Code of Federal Regulations (Title 3): KF70 .A3; also available electronically from GPO Access, e-CFR, and Hein Online
• List of Sections Affected: KF 70 .A34
• Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents: KF70 .A4; available electronically via GPO Access, Hein Online, LLMC Digital
• Codification of Presidential Proclamations and Executive Orders: KF70 .A473; also available electronically
• Westlaw: (PRES or USCCAN-EO for Executive Orders back to 1936; Federal Register)
• Lexis: (Executive Orders; Federal Register)
• Internet: Executive Orders
• CIS Index to Presidential Executive Orders and Proclamations (covers 1789-1983): KF70 .A5 pt.1 & pt. 2 (accompanying microfiche is located in Media Services)
• Executive Orders are codified in the Codification of Presidential Proclamations and Executive Orders.  Unfortunately, this codification has not been updated since 1989. The current status of any Executive Order issued since April 13, 1945 can be found easily by using the disposition tables on the web.
• Executive Orders Dispositions Tables (covers EOs from 1937 to the present)

Presidential Proclamations

Presidential proclamations are announcements of policy from the President. The vast majority of proclamations are issued to announce and support a ceremonial event, such as National African American History Month or National Hurricane Awareness Week. There are, however, some substantive proclamations that deal with tariff or other trade issues that are important for research purposes.

All proclamations are first published in the Federal Register. They are compiled annually in Title 3 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents and United States Code Congressional and Administrative News also publish presidential proclamations.

Substantive proclamations are codified in the Codification of Presidential Proclamations and Executive Orders. Unfortunately, this codification has not been updated since 1989. The status of presidential proclamations as of January 20, 1989 can be found by using the disposition tables of the Codification either on the web or in print. To update after 1989, use the tables in Title 3 of the CFR and the monthly lists in the Federal Register.

Where to Find Proclamations:

Further Questions

If you have any questions about finding or using any of the materials described in this guide, come to the Reference Desk. A reference librarian will be able to assist you with identifying and locating the materials you need for your research projects.

Last updated 11/2008 (LS)

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