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.

1. People Who Served in Congress
2. Congress Defined
3. Election 2006
4. A Blueprint for Leadership
5. Politics, 1928–69
6. Study Questions: Illinois Delegation Letters
7. A Voter's Vocabulary
8. Postscript Information


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

Frederick A.C. Muhlenberg (1750-1801) was the first Speaker of the House of Representatives. A Pennsylvanian trained as a Lutheran minister, Muhlenberg served in the Continental Congress until 1780, was elected to the state assembly where he became Speaker, and was president of the state convention that ratified the Constitution. Elected to the First Congress over Anti-Federalist opposition, he presided as Speaker until March 1791. He lost his reelection bid for Speaker that month, regained the position in 1793 only to lose it again in 1795. His career in Congress ended in 1797.

Reference: http://www.politicsol.com/govsites/congress-bio-guide/M001063.html and The Encyclopedia of Congress (The Fund for the Study of Congress, 1995), v. 3, p.1427-28.

2. CONGRESS DEFINED
Words and phrases that describe congressional processes

Points of Order. A point of order is a claim from the chamber floor by a member that a pending action violates a chamber rule or is procedurally improper in a specified way. The chair rules on the point of order, usually consulting with the parliamentarian. If the point of order is sustained, the proposed action is prohibited.

3. ELECTION 2006

* NEW RESOURCE *

America Votes 2006: Election news and analysis of key races from CNN's political unit. Find Election 2006 at: http://www.congresslink.org/print_index2.htm.

4. A BLUEPRINT FOR LEADERSHIP: OFFICE OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADER, APRIL 16, 1993

* NEW RESOURCE *

In the Spring of 1993, House Minority Leader Robert H. Michel prepared A Blueprint for Leadership. "The challenge of our new situation," he wrote, "is to shape the Republican view of America, tell the American people what we believe in, and fully utilize our legislative skills to implement our vision." He hoped the document would serve as study guide for Republican action, outlining areas of policy responsibility, mechanisms for communication, and structures for implementation.

Find A Blueprint for Leadership: Office of the Republican Leader, April 16, 1993 at: http://www.dirksencenter.org/print_michel_blueprint.htm.

5. POLITICS, 1928–69

* NEW RESOURCE *

We have posted the guide to the Politics series of Everett Dirksen's Papers. The series consists of correspondence and material related to Everett Dirksen's campaigns and political activities, including his participation in Republican National Conventions.

Find Politics, 1928–69 at: http://www.dirksencenter.org/guides_emd/Politics1928-69/intro.htm.

6. STUDY QUESTIONS: ILLINOIS DELEGATION LETTERS

* NEW RESOURCE *

Last month we introduced a new addition to the online version of the Robert H. Michel Papers Collection, the Illinois Delegation Letters, 1983–94 [http://www.dirksencenter.org/findingaids/rhm_legislativeseries_ildelegation.htm], consisting of letters stating positions or requesting action on behalf of the Republicans and Democrats representing Illinois in the U.S. House and Senate.

This month we added a series of study questions related to the Illinois Delegation Letters at: http://www.dirksencenter.org/findingaids/rhm_legislativeseries_ildelegation_sq.htm.

7. A VOTER'S VOCABULARY

If your students are American citizens and have reached the age of 18, they are eligible to vote. Since this is one of the most important rights in a democracy, why not begin getting them ready for it now?

The crossword puzzle in this activity contains some voting vocabulary words they will need to be informed, intelligent voters. Have your students click on Uncle Sam's hat in the image above the text and complete the crossword puzzle. Find A Voter's Vocabulary at: http://www.congressforkids.net/games/elections_voting/votersvocab_intro.htm.

* How much do you know about the candidates in the 2004 elections? *

Trivia: Leonard Peltier, a political prisoner/convicted murderer, was the candidate for the Peace and Freedom Party. What state did Peltier receive 27,000 votes from?

A) Vermont
B) Oregon
C) Washington
D) California

*Find the answer in next month's issue.

Answer to September's Fun, Facts, and Trivia: http://www.webcommunicator.org/classroom%20resources/funfactstrivia_ans0906.htm.

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