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The Dirksen Congressional Center

The Dirksen Congressional Center

The Dirksen Congressional Center promotes research and scholarship to advance the public understanding of the U.S. Congress

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    • Everett M. Dirksen
      • Dirksen Collection
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        • “A Billion Here, a Billion There”
        • Dirksen: Master Legislator
        • An Early Advocate for Civil Rights
        • On Civil Rights
        • On Politics as a Career
        • On Vietnam
        • Interview transcripts
        • Everett Dirksen Really Said That?
      • Dirksen in Pictures
      • Dirksen Books & Manuscripts
      • Dirksen Special Features
      • Civil Rights Resources
    • Robert H. Michel
      • Michel Collection
      • Michel on the Record
      • Michel in Pictures
      • Michel Books & Manuscripts
      • Michel Special Features
    • Ray LaHood
      • LaHood Collection
      • LaHood on the Record
      • Lahood in Pictures
      • LaHood Books & Manuscripts
      • LaHood Special Features
    • Harold H. Velde
      • Velde Collection
      • Velde on the Record
      • Velde in Pictures
      • Velde Books & Manuscripts
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      • MacNeil Collection Series
      • MacNeil Books & Manuscripts
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Ray LaHood
Lebanese Outreach

  • Ray LaHood
  • LaHood Collection
  • LaHood on the Record
  • LaHood in Pictures
  • LaHood Books & Manuscripts
  • LaHood Special Features

Ray LaHood

Lebanese Outreach

After taking office in the House of Representatives, Ray LaHood worked to help the Lebanese communities in the United States preserve their connections to Lebanon. He made various trips to Lebanon and worked to get Lebanon foreign aid in the aftermath of its civil war.

Lebanese Outreach Files


  • Tim Butler

    • December 10, 2001

    • December 9, 2001

    • December 18, 2001

    • December 21, 2001

    • December 23, 2001

    • December 17, 2001

    • December 9, 2001-2

    • December 9, 2001-3

    • May 18, 2001

    • May 18, 2001-2

    • May 18, 2001-3

    • May 18, 2001-4

    • May 3, 1999

    • August 3, 1999

    • November 12, 1999

    • November 12, 1999-2

    • November 12, 1999-3

    • November 12, 1999-4

    • November 12, 1999-5

    • November 12, 1999-6

    • November 12, 1999-7

    • December 19, 1997

    • December 30, 1997

    • January 15, 1997

    • April 1, 1995

    • November 20, 1998

    • November 19, 1998

    • November 18, 1998

    • November 18, 1998-2

    • November 10, 1998

    • November 17, 1998

    • November 18, 1998-3

    • June 26, 1996

    • March 28, 1995

    • July 30, 1997

    • July 30, 1997-2

    • July 31, 1997

    • March 16, 1998

    • January 14, 1998

    • January 15, 1997-2

    • December 30, 1997-2

    • December 29, 1997

    • December 29, 1997-2

    • December 29, 1997-3

    • December 19, 1997-2

    • December 16, 1997

    • October 1, 1997

    • December 19, 1997-3

    • December 29, 1997-4

    • December 18, 1997

    • Undated

    • Undated-2

    • April 1, 1995

    • August 18, 1996

    • August 18, 1996-2

    • September 19, 1997

    • July 30, 1997

    • August 5, 1997

    • July 31, 1997

    • July 22, 1997

    • July 31, 1997-2

    • July 30, 1997-2

    • July 18, 1997

    • June 26, 1996

    • February 27, 1996

    • June 19, 1995

    • April 13, 1995

    • April 13, 1995-2

    • March 29, 1995

    • Undated-3

    • March 29, 1995-2

    • March 7, 1995

    • March 9, 1995

    • February 28, 1995

    • May 26, 1995

    • April 22, 1996

    • April 22, 1996-2

    • April 18, 1996-2

    • March 11, 1996

    • June 19, 1995-2

    • February 27, 1996-2

    • February 21, 1996

    • February 1, 1995

    • June 15, 1995

    • November 30, 1995

    • February 16, 1995

  • 1995 Trip Materials — Authorization

    • May 3, 1995

    • March 9, 1995

    • March 9, 1995-2

    • February 28, 1995

    • March 28, 1995

    • Undated

    • April 3, 1995

    • March 27, 1995

  • 1995 Trip Materials — Briefing Materials

    • December 1, 1994

    • Undated

    • Undated-2

    • February 1, 1995

    • April 12, 1995

    • April 12, 1995-2

    • Undated

    • June 1, 1994

    • 1995

    • April 1, 1995

    • Undated

    • 1990

    • November 14, 1994

    • 1995

    • April 23, 1995

    • June 26, 1992

    • October 13, 1992

    • Undated

    • June-Sept 1992

    • September 27, 1992

    • January 20, 1993

    • Undated-2

    • November 23, 1993

    • November 23, 1993-2

    • 1994

  • 1995 Trip Materials — Correspondence

    • February 13, 1995

    • May 11, 1995

    • May 10, 1995

    • Undated

    • May 1, 1995

    • April 21, 1995

    • April 21, 1995-2

    • May 20, 1995

    • May 19, 1995

    • May 9, 1995

    • April 20, 1995

    • May 18, 1995

    • May 31, 1995

    • June 13, 1995

    • June 2, 1995

    • April 23, 1995

    • May 26, 1995

    • April 21, 1995-3

    • Undated-2

    • May 10, 1995-2

    • May 4, 1995

    • May 9, 1995-2

    • May 9, 1995-3

    • May 9, 1995-4

    • May 10, 1995-3

    • May 9, 1995-5

    • May 9, 1995-6

    • May 9, 1995-7

    • May 9, 1995-8

    • May 9, 1995-9

    • May 9, 1995-10

    • Undated-3

    • May 9, 1995-11

    • May 9, 1995-12

    • May 9, 1995-13

    • May 9, 1995-14

    • April 13, 1995

    • March 7, 1995

    • March 28, 1995

    • April 23, 1995-2

    • December 7, 1995

  • 1995 Trip Materials — Itinerary

    • February 6, 1995

    • April 13, 1995

    • February 13, 1995

    • February 2, 1995

    • March 20, 1995

    • March 28, 1995

    • February 6, 1995-2

    • April 12, 1995

    • April 13, 1995-2

    • April 13, 1995-3

    • April 15, 1995

    • April 6, 1995

  • 1995 Trip Materials — Itoo

    • April 23, 1995

    • April 23, 1995-2

    • April 23, 1995-3

    • Undated

  • 1995 Trip Materials — London

    • Undated

    • Undated-2

  • 1995 Trip Materials — Miscellaneous

    • Undated

    • April 20, 1995

    • Undated-2

    • April 22, 1995

    • Undated-3

    • April 4, 1995

    • April 3, 1995

    • Undated-4

    • Undated-5

    • April 1, 1995

    • March 30, 1995

    • Undated-6

    • March 29, 1995

    • Undated-7

  • 1996

    • December 30, 1996

    • December 9, 1996

    • December 10, 1996

    • December 9, 1996-2

    • Undated

    • December 5, 1996

    • January 3, 1996

    • December 7, 1996

    • January 24, 1996

    • Undated-2

    • Undated-3

    • January 30, 1996

    • January 3, 1996-2

    • December 7, 1995

    • November 30, 1995

    • January 25, 1996

    • January 3, 1996-3

    • February 8, 1996

    • March 11, 1996

    • October 24, 1996

    • September 29, 1995

    • March 27, 1996

    • March 22, 1996

    • April 24, 1996

    • March 5, 1996

    • Undated-4

    • April 18, 1996

    • April 22, 1996

    • April 18, 1996-2

    • April 23, 1996

    • April 11, 1996

    • April 1, 1996

    • April 3, 1996

    • Undated-5

    • March 5, 1996-2

    • March 13, 1996

    • Undated-6

    • Undated-7

    • April 29, 1996

    • May 7, 1996

    • May 14, 1996

    • May 23, 1996

    • May 28, 1996

    • June 13, 1996

    • Spring 1996

    • June 4, 1996

    • Undated-8

    • June 7, 1996

    • June 24, 1996

    • January 30, 1996

    • November 30, 1995

    • December 11, 1996

    • November 19, 1996

    • November 12, 1996

    • November 12, 1996-2

    • November 13, 1996

    • November 14, 1996

    • November 8, 1996

    • August 19, 1996

    • March 7, 1996

    • April 23, 1996

    • April 16, 1996

    • March 19, 1996

    • April 19, 1996

    • April 22, 1996

    • March 27, 1996

    • March 19, 1996-2

    • September 1, 1994

    • March 1, 1996

    • February 23, 1996

    • February 5, 1996

    • January 4, 1996

    • December 7, 1995

    • November 20, 1995

    • October 27, 1995

    • January 4, 1996-2

    • 1995

    • August 4, 1995

    • 1995-2

  • 1997

    • Undated

    • January 21, 1997

    • January 24, 1997

    • January 14, 1997

    • Undated-2

    • January 17, 1997

    • January 8, 1997

    • January 8, 1997-2

    • February 19, 1997

    • Undated-3

    • March 7, 1997

    • June 16, 1997

    • February 27, 1996

    • June 18, 1997

    • June 16, 1997-2

    • June 12, 1997

    • June 10, 1997

    • June 7, 1997

    • June 7, 1997-2

    • April 1, 1997

    • May 23, 1997

    • May 30, 1997

    • August 5, 1997

    • July 30, 1997

    • July 18, 1997

    • July 18, 1997-2

    • July 1, 1997

    • July 16, 1997

    • July 31, 1997

    • August 28, 1997

    • July 18, 1997-3

    • August 26, 1997

    • August 21, 1997

    • August 6, 1997

    • August 12, 1997

    • July 30, 1997

    • July 30, 1997-2

    • July 18, 1997-4

    • August 4, 1997

    • August 6, 1997

    • August 6, 1997-2

    • August 6, 1997-3

    • June 3, 1997

    • August 22, 1997

    • August 15, 1997

    • November 3, 1997

    • November 25, 1997

    • December 29, 1997

    • January 20, 1997

    • August 14, 1997

    • June 10, 1997

    • November 7, 1997

    • November 13, 1997

    • November 13, 1997-2

    • November 3, 1997-2

    • November 10, 1997

  • 1998

    • January 26, 1998

    • March 6, 1998

    • February 23, 1998

    • April 14, 1998

    • February 24, 1998

    • January 12, 1998

    • April 17, 1998

    • March 7, 1996

    • March 23, 1998

    • December 1, 1998

    • September 1, 1998

    • September 22, 1998

    • December 11, 1998

    • November 9, 1998

    • March 11, 1998

    • November 23, 1998

    • Undated

    • December 28, 1998

    • December 28, 1998-2

    • December 1, 1998-2

    • October 9 – November 16, 1998

    • November 9, 1998-2

    • 1998

  • 1998 Trip

    • Undated

    • November 21, 1998

    • Undated-2

    • November 24, 1998

    • October 22, 1999

    • November 22, 1998

    • November 23, 1998

    • November 21, 1998-2

    • December 7, 1998

    • December 7, 1998-2

    • December 16, 1998

    • December 4, 1998

    • December 4, 1998-2

    • January 1, 1999

    • November 20, 1998

    • November 20, 1998-2

    • November 21, 1998-3

    • November 20, 1998-3

    • November 16, 1998

    • November 13, 1998

    • November 17, 1998

    • November 19, 1998

    • November 21, 1998-4

    • November 13, 1998-3

    • November 16, 1998-2

    • Undated-3

    • November 16, 1998-3

    • November 19, 1998-2

    • November 19, 1998-3

    • November 10, 1998

    • October 20, 1998

    • Undated-4

    • November 20, 1998-4

    • October 23, 1998

    • October 29, 1998

    • September 18, 1998

    • November 18, 1998

  • 1999

    • March 1, 1999

    • March 25, 1999

    • Undated

    • January 19, 1999

    • January 7, 1999

    • April 26, 1999

    • Undated-2

    • Undated-3

    • April 23, 1999

    • April 15, 1999

    • April 22, 1999

    • June 25, 1999

    • June 8, 1999

    • May 12, 1999

    • May 14, 1999

    • May 21, 1999

    • June 30, 1999

    • June 1, 1999

    • June 30, 1999-2

    • July 1, 1999

    • May 13, 1999

    • July 1, 1999-2

    • June 30, 1999-3

    • July 12, 1999

    • July 12, 1999-2

    • August 13, 1999

    • May 18, 1999

    • September 8, 1999

    • August 27, 1999

    • August 27, 1999-2

    • September 17, 1999

    • September 21, 1999

    • September 15, 1999

    • September 17, 1999-2

    • September 28, 1999

    • Undated

    • November 17, 1999

    • 1998

    • October 20, 1999

    • October 20, 1999-2

    • December 24, 1999

    • Undated-2

  • 2000

    • May 30, 1999

    • May 30, 2000

    • May 25, 2000

    • May 26, 2000

    • May 25, 2000-2

    • March 27, 2000

    • March 14, 2000

    • 2000

    • Undated

    • Undated-2

    • March 14, 2000-2

    • Undated-3

    • March 7, 2000

    • February 22, 2000

    • March 23, 2000

    • May 15, 2000

    • May 23, 2000

    • April 7, 2000

    • May 31, 2000

    • June 9, 2000

    • June 14, 2000

    • May 19, 2000

    • May 29, 2000

    • March 29, 2000

    • January 2, 2000

    • May 16, 2000

    • April 14, 2000

    • May 19, 2000

    • Undated

    • April 20, 2000

    • June 21, 2000

    • July 20, 2000

    • Undated-2

    • June 27, 2000

    • June 26, 2000-2

    • June 26, 2000-3

    • June 23, 2000

    • June 6, 2000

    • June 30, 2000

    • July 11, 2000

    • July 11, 2000-2

    • June 30, 2000-2

    • Undated-3

    • July 5, 2000

    • June 28, 2000

    • September 27, 1999

    • June 26, 2000-4

    • June 30, 2000-3

    • June 30, 2000-4

    • June 27, 2000-2

    • June 13, 2000

    • Undated-4

    • August 16, 2000

    • September 23, 1999

    • October 15, 1999

    • October 12, 1999

    • September 23, 1999-2

    • October 7, 1999

    • September 18, 1999

    • 1999

    • October 4, 2000

    • October 12, 2000

    • October 16, 2000

    • December 11, 2000

  • 2001

    • November 6, 2000

    • November 9, 2000

    • Undated

    • November 13, 2001

    • November 2, 2001

    • November 9, 2001-2

    • December 11, 2001

    • Undated-2

    • Undated-3

    • February 16, 2001

    • March 1, 2001

    • March 7, 2001

    • March 7, 2001-2

    • March 7, 2001-3

    • March 7, 2001-4

    • March 6, 2001

    • March 6, 2001-2

    • Undated-4

    • February 29, 2001

    • February 21, 2001

    • February 13, 2001

    • February 28, 2001

    • February 26, 2001

    • February 27, 2001

    • February 22, 2001

    • February 21, 2001-2

    • February 16, 2001-2

    • January 22, 2001

    • February 15, 2001

    • February 14, 2001

    • January 22, 2001-2

    • January 25, 2001

    • January 26, 2001

    • January 22, 2001-3

    • February 13, 2001-2

    • Undated-5

    • February 21, 2001-3

    • June 21, 2001

    • June 6, 2001

    • July 5, 2001

    • June 30, 2001

    • May 18, 2001

    • May 10, 2001

    • May 22, 2001

    • May 21, 2001

    • May 16, 2001

    • May 24, 2001

    • May 30, 2001

    • May 24, 2001-2

    • April 6, 2001

    • April 24, 2001

    • March 21, 2001

    • March 27, 2001

    • March 28, 2001

    • Undated-6

  • 2002

    • June 1, 2002

    • December 6, 2002

    • Undated

    • Undated-2

    • November 19, 2002

    • Undated-3

    • November 8, 2002

  • 2003

    • April 23, 2003

    • January 10, 2003

    • March 6, 2003

    • March 4, 2003

    • April 16, 2004

    • March 28, 2003

  • 2004

    • March 31, 2004

    • June 14, 2004

    • May 4, 2004

    • May 21, 2004

    • June 3, 2004

    • March 19, 2004

    • March 19, 2004-2

  • 2005

    • May 18, 2005

    • May 13, 2005

    • April 23, 2005

    • Undated

    • Undated-2

    • April 7, 2005

    • April 24, 2005

    • February 10, 2005

    • February 28, 2005

    • April 25, 2005

    • April 20, 2005

    • April 21, 2005

    • March 7, 2005

    • 2004

    • 2005

    • June 15, 2005

    • May 11, 2005

    • May 11, 2005-2

    • April 10, 2005

    • January 6, 2005

    • March 10, 2005

    • March 15, 2005

    • March 7, 2005-2

    • March 8, 2005

    • Undated

    • March 8, 2005-2

    • September 15, 2005

    • March 23, 2005

  • 2006

    • 2006

    • April 24, 2006

    • Undated

    • 2006-2

    • August 18, 2006

    • July 5, 2006

  • 2007

    • September 12, 2007

    • August 23, 2007

  • 2008

    • Undated

    • 2008

    • 2008-2

During the 1960s, Everett Dirksen emerged as the leading voice of those who objected to the Supreme Court’s reapportionment rulings. I arrived at the Dirksen Center with high hopes of learning more about Dirksen’s views on the subject, but never imagined that I would find such a wealth of amazing materials. My understanding of the topic has been immeasurably enhanced by the chance to have worked in the Dirksen Papers. I am deeply grateful to the Dirksen Center for the financial support that allowed me to do such critical research.

J. Douglas Smith

On Democracy’s Doorstep: The Inside Story of How the Supreme Court Brought “One Person, One Vote” to the United States

This excellent book explains why Bob Michel was the most effective minority leader in the history of the House of Representatives. Its richly detailed and perceptive essays show that he was a legislator in full” a servant for his district, a watchdog of the public treasury, and a masterful tactician who won historic votes without partisan majorities. Anyone who wants to understand congressional leadership should read Robert H. Michel: Leading the Republican House Minority.

John J. Pitney Jr.

Roy P. Crocker Professor of Politics, Claremont McKenna College

[About The Center-sponsored Robert H. Michel: Leading the Republican House Minority (University Press of Kansas, Spring 2019) Frank H. Mackaman and Sean Q Kelly, eds.] : A richly documented and authoritative look at Michel’s congressional career. Editors Mackaman and Kelly have done an excellent job both in selected contributors and developing a compelling narrative to frame these expertly written chapters. This should be the first book consulted by readers who are curious about Bob Michel’s legislative legacy.

Jeffrey Crouch

The Presidential Pardon Power

It is also important to note that [the Congressional Research Grants] Program is a vital source of support for types of research not generally funded by organizations such as the National Science Foundation.  While Dirksen award amounts are relatively small, they very powerfully combine with other small funding streams (for example, the typically small grants given to faculty by their academic institutions) to render otherwise impossible projects possible.

Laura S. Jensen

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, (Congressional Research Grant recipient, 2005)

Frank Mackaman at the Dirksen Congressional Center in Pekin, Illinois, is a peerless one-man band, a veteran archival librarian and the reigning expert in all things Ev. His monograph on Dirksen’s role in the bill was never far from my side, and I am everlastingly grateful for his help …

Todd S. Purdum

An Idea Whose Time Has Come: Two Presidents, Two Parties, and the Battle for the Civil Rights Act of 1964:

The Dirksen Congressional Center has been a wonderful and indispensable addition to the community of scholars interested in congressional history. The Center has offered financial support that scholars need to conduct research into the legislative branch, while it has been instrumental to the organization of conferences, workshops, web-based initiatives, and teaching programs that greatly further our knowledge of congressional history.

Julian Zelizer

The American Congress: The Building of Democracy

2815 Broadway
Pekin, Illinois 61554

309.347.7113

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