Ray LaHood and the Civility Initiative, 1997-2003
In March 1997, Ray LaHood joined with David Skaggs (D-CO) to host 197 colleagues in an effort to promote civility in the House of Representatives. The three-day conclave generated more than 200 recommendations to improve members’ conduct and rhetoric in committee hearings and on the House floor.
The comprehensive set of documents linked below originate in LaHood’s Congressional Series, Washington D.C., Office, Subject Files, and showcase the bipartisan planning work LaHood and his colleagues undertook while hosting four civility retreats from 1997 to 2003. They also include press releases, notes taken during the retreats, and additional details on the reform proposals that emerged from the events.
Civility Retreats Folders: 1997
1997 Folders
1997 Activities
1997 Attendance – Folder 1
1997 Bipartisan Congressional Retreat Planning Committee
1997 “Briefing Book”
1997 “Civility in the House of Representatives”
1997 Co-Leader Briefing Sessions
Compilation of Obstacles/Solutions by Subject
1997 Correspondence, 1997, January – February
1997 Correspondence, 1997, March
1997 Correspondence, 1997, April
1997 Correspondence, 1997, May-1998
1997 Dear Colleague Letter
1997 Ethics Guidance
1997 Evaluations
1997 Follow-up Suggestions
1997 Hershey
1997 Maps
1997 Miscellaneous
1997 Next Steps (1-3)
1997 Pairings
1997 Preliminary Outline. October 1996
1997 Preliminary Outline. November 1996
1997 Press (1-2)
1997 Schedule
1997 Staff Guide
1997 Talking Points
1997 Thank You List
1997 Welcome/Orientation
1997 Whip Lists
1997 Work Group Recommendations
1997 Work Groups