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GPO details production of secure, heirloom inauguration materials
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Summary
A Government Publishing Office presenter described GPO’s century-spanning role producing printed and digital materials for all three branches, its workforce of about 1,650, and recent work with the Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies to supply secure tickets, signage and other inauguration items.
A presenter for the Government Publishing Office outlined the agency’s role in producing printed and digital materials for the legislative, judicial and executive branches and described its recent work preparing secure items for the upcoming inauguration.
The presenter said GPO has been “producing materials for all 3 branches of government really since the Civil War,” and that the agency now ensures congressional, judicial and executive data and documents are available online to customers. He added GPO must convert handwritten bills and other submissions into machine-readable data in addition to traditional printed output.
GPO employs about 1,650 people, the presenter said, ranging from artisanal bookbinders who use long-standing techniques to modern software developers. The agency works with partners in all 50 states and most U.S. territories to deliver publications and services.
The presenter said GPO began working with the Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies about a year ago on requirements, designs and logistics for the inauguration. "GPO supports all of the printed materials that the inauguration requires," he said, and listed items the agency supplies: invitations, tickets, vehicle placards, maps and signage.
On security, the presenter said GPO coordinates closely with the United States Capitol Police to make sure sensitive documents cannot be counterfeited and can be authenticated by personnel in the field. "We work very closely with the Capitol Police, to make sure that those documents are secured, they can't be counterfeited, and that their personnel can make sure that that's a genuine ticket when they're reviewing it," he said.
Describing the work as large in scale, the presenter offered a personal note about the keepsake value of inauguration items, saying his family keeps framed inauguration tickets. He characterized the products GPO delivers as heirloom quality: durable and distinct from items available elsewhere. He also emphasized the civic importance of the work, saying that producing materials for inaugurations helps facilitate a peaceful transfer of power and provides the event with appropriate gravitas.
The presenter closed by saying GPO staff enjoy the work and view it as an important contribution to national civic life.
