In addition to historical information about Everett Dirksen, this section includes a demographic profile of Congress and a description of what Congress members do. Expert essays explain what skills are needed to serve effectively in Congress and show how to communicate effectively with your representatives.

Resources

Biographies of Congress Members
Congressional Profile
Congressman: A Case Study
Everett McKinley Dirksen
Everett M. Dirksen: Obituary and Eulogy
What Members of Congress Do
Partisan Composition of the House
Partisan Composition of the Senate
Robert H. Michel
Women Who Have Served in Congress
Women Serving in the 110th Congress
Minorities in the Senate
Congressional Research Service Reports on Congress

Expert Views

An Effective Congress and Effective Members: What Does It Take?
What are the skills needed to serve effectively in Congress and how do politicians acquire them? Political scientist Barbara Sinclair answers this question by examining the job of Congress, how Congress has organized itself to do its job, and then considering the skills Members need to function effectively in that environment.

How to Communicate Effectively with Congress Members
This selection from AdVanced Consulting's Advocacy Classroom provides expert tips for reaching your Congress member. Learn what a congressional office can and cannot (or should not) do for you, what staff members do, and how best to deal with them.