Welcome to The Dirksen Congressional Center's Communicator–a web-based e-newsletter providing educators with news and ideas to improve the understanding of Congress: http://www.webcommunicator.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. People Who Served in Congress
2. Congress Defined
3. *New* Design Your Own Interest Group Network: The Nader Formula
4. *New* Editorial Cartoons
5. *New* Related Lesson Plan: The Great Energy Debate
6. New Projects
7. *New* Elections…The American Way & Trivia
8. Postscript Information

1. PEOPLE WHO SERVED IN CONGRESS
   Sketches of famous and not-so-famous Senators and Representatives 

Robert C. Byrd (D-WV).  In the halls of Congress, Robert C. Byrd is best known for his fierce defense of the Constitution and the institution of the Senate.  The Almanac of American Politics says that Byrd "may come closer to the kind of senator the Founding Fathers had in mind than any other."  Senators from both parties have paid tribute to Byrd’s devotion to the Constitution.  He endeavors to make sure that the wisdom of the Constitution’s Framers is not forgotten and that the people’s liberties are protected.

In the history of the Republic, Byrd has served longer than all but one Member of Congress. In June 2006, Byrd became the longest serving Senator in the history of the Republic and, in November 2006, he was elected to an unprecedented ninth consecutive term in the Senate.  During his tenure, his colleagues have elected him to more leadership positions than any other Senator in history.  Throughout his career, Byrd has cast nearly 17,800 roll call votes -- an amazing 98.7 percent attendance record in his nearly five decades of service in the Senate.

Sources:

Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress:  http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B001210   

Senator Byrd’s official Website:  http://byrd.senate.gov/

2. CONGRESS DEFINED
   Words and phrases that describe congressional processes

Members’ Allowances.  Official expenses for which members are either paid in advance or reimbursed by their chambers.  Among them are the costs for office space and office furnishings, equipment, and supplies in congressional buildings and in their home states or districts; postage-free mailings; travel to and from home states or districts, as well as some travel elsewhere on official business; telephone and other telecommunications services; and staff salaries.  All allowances are authorized by law, but each house determines for itself the details and regulations governing many of them.  Some allowances are subject to dollar limits, others are not.

Source:

Congressional Quarterly, American Congressional Dictionary, 3rd ed. (Washington DC;  CQ Press, 2001):  148.

3. DESIGN YOUR OWN INTEREST GROUP NETWORK: THE NADER FORMULA 

* NEW LESSON PLAN *

During our annual Congress in the Classroom® workshop –– http://www.dirksencenter.org/print_programs_CongressClassroom.htm –– participants are asked to introduce the lesson plans, resources, and techniques that have proven successful in teaching about Congress in their classrooms.  A 2007 participant, Gregory Stewart, Whitewater High School, Whitewater, WI, presented a lesson entitled, Design Your Own Interest Group Network: The Nader Formula.

Americans may not be very passionate about joining parties, but they sure do tend to join interest groups.  Consumer activist and Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader has successfully created an entire public-interest group network.  While you may or may not agree with Nader’s political views, his tactical approach to exercising influence is something any politico can respect.

This project is designed for students to create interest groups.  In the process of creating their interest groups, they will explore the development of interest groups, use case studies to show their significance in legislation, and delve into the world of campaign finance. At the end of the project students create a 30-60 second commercial spot promoting their interest groups and calling other people to action.

See if your students can follow in Ralph Nader’s tactical footsteps and develop their own interest group domain.  Keep in mind, though, if they want to have influence, they’ll need to raise money.

Find Design Your Own Interest Group Network: The Nader Formula at: http://www.congresslink.org/print_lp_designinterestgroup.htm

4. * NEW *  EDITORIAL CARTOONS

The Dirksen Congressional Center recently announced the completion of the Editorial Cartoon Collection project: http://www.congresslink.org/cartoons/index.htm.

The editorial cartoons and related lesson plans from The Dirksen Center will teach students to identify issues, analyze symbols, acknowledge the need for background knowledge, recognize stereotypes and caricatures, think critically, and appreciate the role of irony and humor.

This month we have posted four new cartoons:

Caption: “One Man, One Vote” Defeat http://www.congresslink.org/cartoons/chron21-30.htm #23

Caption: “One Man, One Vote” http://www.congresslink.org/cartoons/chron21-30.htm #24

Caption: School Prayer Amendment http://www.congresslink.org/cartoons/chron21-30.htm #25

Caption: Congressional Leaders Disagree http://www.congresslink.org/cartoons/chron21-30.htm #26

5. * NEW *   RELATED LESSON PLAN: THE GREAT ENERGY DEBATE

This lesson explores the controversial issues surrounding the energy debate in the United States. Students will research recent initiatives being taken in this area and analyze their implications. They will then assume the roles of pivotal stakeholders in this debate and testify to a mock congressional committee responsible for making decisions about public lands and energy resources.

Find The Great Energy Debate at: http://www.congresslink.org/print_teaching_relatedlessons.htm

6. NEW PROJECTS

On February 21, 1945, then Congressman Dirksen set out on a world trip that would take him to twenty-one countries, logging 32,000 miles.  This was not an ordinary junket.  Dirksen traveled on behalf of the House Committee on Appropriations to inspect American embassies, reconstruction agencies, intelligence services, and the armed forces.  He had a bird’s-eye view of Europe and the Middle East as World War II neared its end.

His stops included London, Algiers, Tunis, Cairo, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Karachi, Teheran, Baghdad, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Palestine, Beirut, Damascus, Ankara, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Florence, Paris, Rheims, Augsburg, Dachau, Wiesbaden, and Leipzig, among many others.

The Dirksen Center has created a Web-based feature that will give you an idea of what Dirksen’s trip was like and how it affected his thinking about the state of the world in 1945.  As a member of Congress on official assignment to inspect military and civilian operations in northern Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, and Europe, he had a bird’s-eye-view of the reconstruction and diplomatic challenges facing the allied forces as they triumphed over Germany and Italy.

This Web presentation consists of the introduction, a timeline of Dirksen’s trip with links to selective, digitized trip log entries and letters home, and a set of seven “anchor” documents with accompanying study questions.  The historical documents are drawn from The Dirksen Congressional Center’s archival holdings.

The Center has received grants from Pekin Community Bank, Herget Bank, Community Foundation of Central Illinois, and CEFCU to collect information, publish a book, and prepare this Web-based feature about Congressman Dirksen's trip.

This information about Dirksen’s world trip is just a teaser - we will be sharing the URL to this Web-based project in September. 

7. * NEW *  ELECTIONS…THE AMERICAN WAY & TRIVIA

How have American elections changed over time? What similarities can we see in elections yesteryear and today?

Let’s find out!  Find Elections…The American Way at: http://www.congressforkids.net/games/Elections_electionday/2_electionday.htm

Trivia: Both major parties saw their fields of presidential contenders shrink in advance of the first nominating contests in 2008. Identify the correct chronological order of pre-2008 GOP drop-outs.

1. Jim Gilmore, Tommy Thompson, Sam Brownback, Tom Tancredo
2. Jim Gilmore, Tommy Thompson, Sam Brownback, Tom Tancredo, Duncan Hunter
3. Jim Gilmore, Sam Brownback, Tom Tancredo, Tommy Thompson
4. Tom Tancredo, Tommy Thompson, Duncan Hunter, Jim Gilmore, Sam Brownback

*Find the answer in next month's issue.

Answer to April 2008’s Fun, Facts, and Trivia: http://www.webcommunicator.org/classroomresources/funfactstrivia_ans0408.htm

8. POSTSCRIPT INFORMATION

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