[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13528]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE CONGRESSIONAL MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I stand before you today to congratulate the 
Congressional Management Foundation on its 35th anniversary of service 
to Capitol Hill. Founded in 1977, CMF is a non-profit, nonpartisan 
organization dedicated to improving management practices within the 
Halls of Congress, as well as facilitating better communication between 
legislators and their constituents. By improving congressional 
operations, providing institutional research, and educating Americans 
on how Congress actually works, the Congressional Management Foundation 
has been a valuable contributor to building trust and effectiveness in 
Congress.
  The Congressional Management Foundation strives to help legislators 
get off on the right foot even before they are sworn into office. 
Within 5 days after election day, all incoming freshmen receive a copy 
of ``Setting Course'' and ``The 90-Day Road Map''-- two experience-
driven publications produced by CMF that provide new House Members, 
Senators, and their staff a detailed outline for setting up and running 
an effective office. ``Keeping it Local'' stresses the importance of 
maintaining a strong presence in district offices and the value of 
effective constituent outreach and interaction at the local level. 
These publications are time-tested, indispensable resources that 
provide our leaders with the appropriate tools they need to overcome 
the challenges of lawmaking on the national stage.
  In the past decade, CMF has adapted its mission to keep up with the 
rapid introduction of new technology on Capitol Hill. Recently CMF has 
offered guidance on how to design effective and accessible Web sites, 
culminating in CMF's Gold Mouse Awards for the best congressional Web 
sites. CMF has helped Senators significantly improve their online 
operations, resulting in more transparency and accountability in 
government. Because of CMF's research and guidance in Web sites and 
online communications, Americans have a better understanding of the 
Congress and better access to necessary services.
  Finally, I wish to congratulate CMF on focusing on improving the 
Congress in a nonpartisan way. There are only a few places left in 
Washington where those of us who are in public service can gather and 
truly engage in problem solving. I congratulate the Congressional 
Management Foundation on more than three decades of outstanding work 
and wish them success in all of their future endeavors.

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