Re: Copyright Extension Bill Passes Congress

From: Evelyn Poole-Kober <epv[_at_]hpcc.epa.gov>
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 10:43:58 -0500

On 10/28/98, Terry Carroll <carroll[_at_]tjc.com> wrote:
>
> On Tue, 27 Oct 1998, Timothy Phillips <hrothgar[_at_]telepath.com> wrote:
> >
> > When the copyright extension bill passed the House, Mary Bono
> > expressed sentiments similar to Mary Rodgers':
> >
> > Actually, Sonny wanted the term of copyright protection
> > to last forever. I am informed by staff that such a
> > change would violate the Constitution.
>
> Does it bother anyone else that a member of Congress is so unfamiliar
> with the portion of the Constitution that sets out the powers of
> Congress that she has to be informed of basic limitations by "staff"?

No, in today's climate, it was actually refreshing to have her give credit to the staff. Congresswoman Mary Bono, a new Member of Congress, has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History Degree from the University of Southern California. Each new member has an tremendous amount of information and protocol. She was wise to seek the advice of her staff on the proposed copyright legislation. Even the most senior members of Congress have legal staff to advise on legislation.

For ten years I worked on Capitol Hill for Members of Congress who came to Congress as former college professors [Ph.D. in chemistry, and Ph.D. in education and college president] and lawyers [attorneys general of their commonwealths]. Each of these members were very intelligent and highly respected on Capitol Hill. And each had lawyers on the congressional and committee staffs to study and advise on legal issues.

Evelyn

---

Evelyn M. Poole-Kober
Librarian
Atmospheric Sciences Modeling Division Library MD-80, 4201 Building, Room 308
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

Telephone 919-541-4536
FAX 919-541-1379
URL <http://www.epa.gov/asmdnerl/library/library.htm>

Go Heels Received on Fri Oct 30 1998 - 15:46:36 GMT