Public Printer of the United States

The title of Public Printer of the United States refers to the official head of the Government Printing Office (GPO). Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. ยง 301, this officer must be nominated by the President of the United States and approved by the United States Senate. By law, The Public Printer must be highly skilled in the areas of bookbinding and printing to qualify for the post, although recent changes to the GPO's operating model have made skills in electronic information dissemination a more crucial criterion for appointment. President Obama appointed William J. Boarman as Public Printer of the United States in a recess appointment on 12-29-2010. [1]

Contents

History

Benjamin Franklin served as Public Printer for several of the American colonies prior to the establishment of the United States. The House and Senate had separate printers until 1861, when the GPO was established; its first superintendent was John D. Defrees. The first man with the title Public Printer of the United States was Almon M. Clapp.[1]

Public Printers

William J. Boarman
  1. Almon M. Clapp (1876-1877)
  2. John D. Defrees (1877-1882)
  3. Sterling P. Rounds (1882-1886)
  4. Thomas E. Benedict (1886-1889)
  5. Frank W. Palmer (1889-1894)
  6. Thomas E. Benedict (1894-1897)
  7. Frank W. Palmer (1897-1905), O.J. Ricketts (Acting, 1905-1905)
  8. Charles A. Stillings (1905-1908), William S. Rossiter (Acting, 1908-1908), Capt. Henry T. Brian (Acting, 1908-1908)
  9. John S. Leech (1908-1908)
  10. Samuel B. Donnelly (1908-1913)
  11. Cornelius Ford (1913-1921)
  12. George H. Carter (1921-1934)
  13. Augustus E. Giegengack (1934-1948), John J. Deviny (Acting, 1948-1948)
  14. John J. Deviny (1948-1953), Phillip L. Cole (Acting, 1953-1953)
  15. Raymond Blattenberger (1953-1961), John M. Wilson (Acting, 1961-1961), Felix E. Cristofane (Acting, 1961-1961)
  16. James L. Harrison (1961-1970[2])
  17. Adolphus N. Spence (1970-1972), Harry J. Humphrey (Acting, 1972-1973), L.T. Golden (Acting Deputy, 1973-1973)
  18. Thomas F. McCormick (1973-1977)
  19. John J. Boyle (1977-1980), Samuel Saylor (Acting, 1980-1981)
  20. Danford L. Sawyer, Jr. (1981-1984), William J. Barrett (Acting, 1984-1984)
  21. Ralph E. Kennickell, Jr. (1984-1989)
  22. Robert Houk (1990-1993[3] ), Michael F. DiMario (Acting, 1993-1993)
  23. Michael F. DiMario (1993[4]-2002)
  24. Bruce James (2002[5][6]-2007), William H. Turri (Acting, 2007-2007)
  25. Robert C. Tapella (2007[7]-2010[8]-)
  26. William J. Boarman (2010-)

Responsibities

The Public Printer is responsible for the administration of the GPO. The GPO, a service agency of the government, provides electronic access to and produces most printed matter for government, including The Congressional Record, Supreme Court decisions, passports, tax forms, internal government documents, and agency publications. The GPO does not print money, as that is a duty of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

References

  1. ^ http://www.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/history/macgilvray.html
  2. ^ "James L. Harrison, 94, Dies; Public Printer of the U.S.". The Washington Post. October 10, 2000. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-554838.html. Retrieved 20 December 2009. 
  3. ^ Cross, Lisa (June 1, 2001). "PIA Backs a Nominee For Public Printer Post.(Printing Industries of America, Robert Houk)". Graphic Arts Monthly. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-76964560.html. Retrieved 20 December 2009. 
  4. ^ http://bubl.ac.uk/ARCHIVE/journals/alawon/v02n5193.htm
  5. ^ http://www.access.gpo.gov/aboutgpo/brj-1.html
  6. ^ Morrison, Jane Ann (March 29, 2002). "Nomination Planned: Bush to tap Nevadan for top printing post". Las Vegas Review-Journal (Las Vegas, NV). http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-84254926/nomination-planned-bush-tap.html. Retrieved 20 December 2009. 
  7. ^ http://www.gpo.gov/management/tapella.htm
  8. ^ http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-nominations-sent-senate-41910

External links