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Welcome to The Dirksen Center's Web suite. The Center is a non-partisan, non-profit educational organization named for the late U.S. Senator from Illinois and Minority Leader Everett M. Dirksen (1896-1969).
Six sites make up the Web suite:
The Dirksen Congressional Center is a non-partisan, not-for-profit
organization in Pekin, Illinois, that seeks to improve civic engagement
by promoting a better understanding of Congress and its leaders through
archival, research, and educational programs.
The Center maintains its quality and independence through the gift support
of individuals, corporations, and foundations who believe in its educational
mission.
The Center is named for Everett McKinley Dirksen (1896-1969). Dirksen served
in the U.S. House from 1933-1948, the U.S. Senate from 1951-69, and as Minority
Leader of the Senate from 1959 until 1969.
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“The Dirksen Congressional
Center
has been a
wonderful and indispensable
addition to the community of scholars
interested
in congressional history. The
Center has offered financial
support that
scholars
need to conduct research into
the legislative branch,
while
it has been
instrumental to the organization of
conferences, workshops,
web-based
initiatives, and teaching programs that
greatly further our
knowledge
of congressional history.”
Julian Zelizer,
The
American Congress, xi.
CongressLink provides information about the U.S. Congress -- how it works, its members and leaders, and the public policies it produces.
CongressLink is directed to teachers of American Government and civics. It is multi-featured, offering original content (including lesson plans and historical materials) and up-to-the-minute information about Congress.
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“Before I became
acquainted
with
CongressLink,
I
did not comprehend
the
amount
of material that one can receive on
the
Internet
. . . In addition to the fact that
students
benefit greatly
from CongressLink, the
website
is
also
a learning place for teachers.”
Jennifer
Mantlo, teacher at Warren East High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky
“I teach senior American Government
at the high school level, and this is by far the best site I have found
for Congress lesson plans. My students
have enjoyed each of the activities
I
have
used from the Dirksen Center.”
ABOUTGOVERNMENT
AboutGovernment is our portal site that focuses selectively on Internet sites related to Congress. This site offers links to more than 50 sites about the U.S. Congress. We have also provided links to four major search engines and to a handful of sites about the federal government more generally.
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“I'm a 42 year old male, who
considers himself educated. Unfortunately, I, like many of my peers, coworkers, friends and family have learned and forgotten most of what is on this site. Thank you for refreshing my memory. A wonderful and informative site.”
CONGRESS FOR KIDS
Looking for educational activities for students? Congress for Kids links students of all ages to Internet-based, interactive activities that "teach" about Congress, the federal government, and civic duty.
Users are linked to games, interactive experiences, and Web sites designed especially for students in grades four through high school. All deliver fun-filled, yet informative content about the federal government.
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IndependenceConstitutionThe
Legislative Branch The Executive BranchThe
Judicial BranchElections“[Congress for Kids] is very clear
and easy
to understand. It also teaches kids a lot and helps them to find information
for school papers and reports. It even lets them show their knowledge
so they can feel proud of themselves. If ever I need any help in social
studies or US history, I will go to this site first.”
“I realize that this site is made up for
kids, but, I am a college student, who found it very helpful in studying
for the constitution test I have to take. Thank You So Very Much!!”
CONGRESS IN THE CLASSROOM ONLINE®
Congress in the Classroom® Online is an online workshop that provides content about Congress presented by experts, content to use and adapt in classrooms.
This site challenges teachers with structured assignments designed to improve their ability to teach about the U.S. Congress.
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“If I were asked to recommend
the
program,
I would say that the
program
is
easy to use, informative, and a
wonderful
resource for all
learners interested
in
knowing about the mechanics of a democracy
and
what it looks
and feels like in action.”
Kathy Frederick,
Congress
in the Classroom®
Online participant
“I like how the workshop deals with real
facts
and figures, and today's Congress. Some
of the
highlights were
the Congressional
Power Rating,
the Congressional Profile,
the daily
schedule for a Congressman, and
the steps
for a bill
to
become
a law.”
James
Quick, Congress in
the
Classroom® Online
participant
COMMUNICATOR
Subscribe to Communicator to keep current with changes to the other Dirksen Center sites, to learn about classroom uses of the information posted on them, and to hear about Dirksen Center news.
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“Just so you know, I have
used
this
webpage
on
an ongoing
basis
very
successfully as a
featured
part
of
my undergraduate teacher education
program
here at Western Illinois
University.”
Fred
Isele, Western Illinois University
