Answers -- Fun, Facts, and Trivia
August 2003 Issue

The Dirksen Center wants to help teachers teach better by giving them the opportunity to use technology to create, customize, and share online learning activities in their classrooms. The Center wants to help students learn more by bringing educational resources together in one place that provide new ways to learn about Congress interactively.

Executive Branch Enigma

Why does the president need a cabinet? Have your students find out by reading the information and completing the tasks about the president's cabinet. Find Why Does the President Need a Cabinet? at: http://www.congressforkids.net/games/executivebranch/2_execbranch.htm

1. What are the four agencies that make up the president's office?

Answer:

NSC: The National Security Council - Organized in 1947 and deals with domestic, foreign, and military policies affecting security issues.

CEA: The Council of Economic Advisorts - Created in 1946 to provide the president with information on economic policy. It is best known for predicting national economic trends.

OMB: Office of Management and Budget - Orginally established in the Treasury Department as the Bureau of the Budget and prepares the federal budget for submission to Congress. The OMB has had its powers expanded considerably since 1970.

WHO: White House Office - The president's main advisers, often long-time personal friends or people who played a key role in the election, make up the White House Office. It includes the president's personal lawyer, press secretary, appointments secretary, and other support personnel.

2. Former Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins (1880-1965) was the first woman to be appointed to a presidential cabinet. Which leader did she serve under?

A) Franklin D. Roosevelt
B) John F. Kennedy
C) Calvin Coolidge

Answers to the June issue of Fun, Facts, and Trivia link here: http://www.webcommunicator.org/funfactstrivia0703ans.htm

Do you have or know of an online activity you would like The Dirksen Congressional Center to feature on its new Web site for students -- Congress for Kids? The Center is currently seeking online activities that provide new ways to learn about Congress and the workings of the federal government interactively.

If you have questions or suggestions for online activities, contact Cindy Koeppel.