Lee Hamilton '52 Publishes How Congress Works and Why You Should Care

June 2, 2004

June 2, 2004, Greencastle, Ind. - Lee H. Hamilton -- who served more than three decades as a U.S. Congressman from Indiana, currently serves as vice chair of the 9/11 Commission, and is a 1952 graduate of DePauw University -- is the author of How Congress Works and Why You Should Care. Published by the Indiana University Press, the book "is a concise introduction to the functions and vital role of the U.S. Congress," the publisher's Web site states.

It continues, "Drawing on 34 years as a U.S. Representative, Hamilton explains how Congress reflects the diversity of the American people, serves as a forum for finding consensus, and provides balance within the federal government. Addressing widespread public misperceptions, he outlines areas where Congress can work better and ways for citizens to become more engaged in public affairs through their representatives in Washington. [The book] is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the inner workings of Congress, and how all citizens can participate in its unique mission."

Norman J. Ornstein, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, says, "Every student of Congress, and every American, can benefit from this book." Cokie Roberts, who reports for ABC and National Public Radio, adds, "No one was a better practitioner of the art of legislating than Lee Hamilton in his years in Congress. This helpful and approachable book tells you why that matters. Every citizen should read it."

In the Empire of Juneau, Alaska, Kathy Ward writes, "Okay, I'm the first to admit that even though I went through the usual civics class in high school, I know very little about how our government works. This book aims to change that, at least at the congressional level, by addressing the role of Congress, its impact, how it works, and how it could be better. Hamilton was U.S. Representative for Indiana for nearly 35 years and is privy to the inner workings of Congress. Not only that, but he writes well -- this isn't a textbook (though perhaps it should be used as such), it is an involving work of non-fiction that isn't afraid to ask hard questions and give real answers." Access her review here.

Read more about How Congress Works and Why You Should Care by clicking here.

Lee Hamilton's name is appearing in news reports as a possible running mate for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry. Read more here.

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