Business Research Sources -ch 30: Congressional Directory

30. Washington Information Directory

Recommended Supplement: Congressional Directory

The Congressional Directory is the official Who's Who of Congress. It is published at the beginning of each two-year term of Congress. The book is one of the oldest working handbooks within the government. The first Congressional Directory was published in 1821 for the 16th Congress. The format has not changed much over the years, even though it has grown 10 times larger. The Senate is responsible for publishing the Congressional Directory, but it is printed by the Government Printing Office (GPO). Call GPO Products at (202) 512-1800.

The book is almost 1,200 pages of detailed facts focusing on Congress. The first part of the Directory contains biographies of the vice president, the 100 members of the Senate, the 435 members of the House of Representatives, and officials of the U.S. erritories. (If you want information from the Canadian government, try FaxLink International (613) 994-6500, or Web site: www.ic.gc.ca )

The biographies cover the general background of each representative, party affiliation, education, and family circumstances. Addresses and phone numbers are also listed. An overview of the State delegations, assignments to standing committees of the Senate and House, joint House and Senate committees, and their respective addresses and telephone numbers are given.

There is also a federal section covering the 17 departments from Agriculture to Veterans Administration, who's in charge, their biographies, and the departmental contact. The diplomatic section lists foreign representatives and consular offices in the United States. Don't forget that there are jobs in all those offices!

Something to Think About

Do you know which congressional body publishes the Congressional Directory? Do you know who your congressional representatives are? Do you know which committees they sit on, and have you ever asked for their help in your education?