* NEW * THREE NEW FINDING AIDS: ROBERT H. MICHEL COLLECTION – LEADERSHIP SERIES
As part of his leadership responsibilities, Bob Michel sent letters to his colleagues on a variety of subjects. The Leadership series includes three types of letters. His staff called them “Dear Colleague” letters, “Dear Republican Colleague” letters, and “Joint Letters.” Although filed separately, there is considerable overlap among the three.
- Dear Colleague Letters, 1981-94
The “Dear Colleague” letters are the most numerous at 625 letters amounting to 3,817 pages. The topics include housekeeping details for House Republicans, notices of meetings and events, briefing materials for pending legislation, complaints about treatment by Democrats, and requests for votes. In most cases, the file consists simply of a copy of the letter. In other cases, however, the file includes drafts and reference materials. The best-documented subjects include the budget, federal spending and the economy; House rules; health care reform; the Republican Conference; and Republican proposals for House reform.
Find Dear Colleague Letters, 1981-94 at: http://www.dirksencenter.org/findingaids/rhm_leadershipseries_dearcolleague.htm
- Dear Republican Colleague Letters, 1989-94
This file consists of letters written on behalf of the Republican leadership to Republicans in the House of Representatives. There are occasional letters signed by both Democratic and Republican leaders—a mark in the “Rep. Only” column signifies letters signed only by Republicans. Topics range from invitations to Republican organizational matters to legislation to legislative procedures.
The series consists of 394 letters totaling 1,007 pages. Find Dear Republican Colleague Letters, 1989-94 at: http://www.dirksencenter.org/findingaids/rhm_leadershipseries_dearrepubcolleague.htm
The “”Joint Letters” series consists of letters signed by members of the House of Representatives—sometimes just Republicans, other times members of both parties. Most of the letters are directed to members of the executive branch, including the president. Others were sent to colleagues in the House and Senate. A few of the files contain responses. The subjects run from procedural matters in the chamber to issues of the day.
The letters number 461, totaling 1,669 pages. Find Joint Letters, 1983-94 at: http://www.dirksencenter.org/findingaids/rhm_leadershipseries_jointletters.htm
ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
As part of the Bicentennial Celebration of Abraham Lincoln, the Dirksen Congressional Center is pleased to present a version of the Lincoln legacy through the eyes of two members of Congress, Everett McKinley Dirksen and Robert H. Michel, who later represented the central Illinois congressional district that once sent Lincoln to the House of Representatives.
Find Abraham Lincoln and the Illinois Congressional District included in the list of The Center’s other special projects at: http://dirksencenterprojects.org/#abraham
* NEW * SENATOR EVERETT DIRKSEN AND GOVERNMENT SPENDING
Senator Everett Dirksen used to tell this story to illustrate his concern about government spending: http://www.dirksencenter.org/news.htm. |
