This site displays a prototype of a “Web 2.0” version of the daily Federal Register. It is not an official legal edition of the Federal Register, and does not replace the official print version or the official electronic version on GPO’s govinfo.gov.
The documents posted on this site are XML renditions of published Federal Register documents. Each document posted on the site includes a link to the corresponding official PDF file on govinfo.gov. This prototype edition of the daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov will remain an unofficial informational resource until the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register (ACFR) issues a regulation granting it official legal status. For complete information about, and access to, our official publications and services, go to About the Federal Register on NARA's archives.gov.
The OFR/GPO partnership is committed to presenting accurate and reliable regulatory information on FederalRegister.gov with the objective of establishing the XML-based Federal Register as an ACFR-sanctioned publication in the future. While every effort has been made to ensure that the material on FederalRegister.gov is accurately displayed, consistent with the official SGML-based PDF version on govinfo.gov, those relying on it for legal research should verify their results against an official edition of the Federal Register. Until the ACFR grants it official status, the XML rendition of the daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov does not provide legal notice to the public or judicial notice to the courts.
On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the OFR remembers the fallen and the aftermath of that tragedy. In the days following 9/11, the U.S. Government honored the memory of those whose lives were taken in a heinous act of war, and began a furious effort to defend the nation. On September 13, President George W. Bush signed a Proclamation calling for a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001. A day later the President issued an Executive order to mobilize the nation’s resources and activate continuity of government operations.
The OFR responded immediately to carry out the National Archives’ mission essential function under E.O. 12656 and Emergency Federal Register responsibilities under the Federal Register Act. For more than 45 years, throughout the cold war, we had practiced for a time of grave national crisis and then, very unexpectedly, it was upon us. We stayed at our posts on September 11 to serve the President and the first responder agencies, as did the men and women of GPO. The Federal Register was published on that day and the next, as it is every business day.
A scant few days later we faced the frightening prospect of anthrax attacks. As the hub of Federal regulatory activity, the OFR received packages of documents from every mail-room and far corner of the government. Anthrax transmission was a very real possibility. We redoubled our efforts under our existing continuity plans and drew up some quick “back of the envelope” measures to deal with anthrax and other forms of terrorism and pandemic.
Today as we reflect on events ten years past, we remember a time of great sadness, as well as a call to arms and a vow of never-ending vigilance. At the core of our mission is an ever-present duty to maintain the Federal Register legal system — to preserve the rule of law and a constitutional form of government. We are prepared to serve, under all conditions and at all times, to publish declarations of national emergency and to give legal effect to extraordinary measures and protective actions.
Earlier this month, the President declared September to be National Preparedness Month. Some of the OFR’s readiness plans are available for public consumption in a Federal Register Bulletin and on our contact pages.