Welcome to The Dirksen Congressional Center's Web Suite

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:

Funding provided by the Robert H. and Corrine W. Michel Congressional Education Fund
Copyright© 2006 The Dirksen Congressional Center

THE DIRKSEN CENTER

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.

Board of Directors

History

Mission

Friends

Staff

“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.

Funding provided by the Robert H. and Corrine W. Michel Congressional Education Fund
Copyright© 2006 The Dirksen Congressional Center

CONGRESSLINK

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.

Today's Congress

Congress: The Basics

Congress: Teaching It

“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.”

Funding provided by the Robert H. and Corrine W. Michel Congressional Education Fund
Copyright© 2006 The Dirksen Congressional Center

ABOUTGOVERNMENT

Explore the diversity of Web-based information about the federal government through the AboutGovernment portal site. It links users to hundreds of Websites dealing with the federal government and national politics generally, and Congress in particular.

All AboutGovernment links are organized into eight categories, including all three branches of government to American icons.

U.S. Government

Historical Documents

Politics

Political Parties

Elections & Voting Citizenship

Icons, Landmarks, Traditions

News & Guides

“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.”

Funding provided by the Robert H. and Corrine W. Michel Congressional Education Fund
Copyright© 2006 The Dirksen Congressional Center

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.

Tour of Federal Government:

Independence

Constitution

The Legislative Branch The Executive Branch

The Judicial Branch

Elections

“[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.

Workshop Information

Faculty Information

Workshop Assignments

Work Products Announcements

“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.

Classroom Resources

Teacher Topics

Site Resources

General Information

“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