The Dirksen Congressional Center

06/04/2026

On this date 60 years ago: U.S. Rep. Bob Michel welcomed NASA scientist Dr. Wernher von Braun as the keynote speaker for Bradley University's alumni banquet.

A literal rocket scientist, von Braun was director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, and in the heady era of space exploration, he was something of a coup to land as a speaker — particularly so for that day.

The Gemini IX mission had launched just the morning prior with the intent of conducting orbital-rendezvous experiments, so, as Michel put it, it was an ideal time to learn about "the wonder and splendor of space" from the "eminent scientist and scholar."

Von Braun's team was busy with the finishing touches on the Saturn V rocket that would carry the first crews to lunar orbit 18 months later. (Michel had a longstanding fascination with the space program, and would watch the launch of Apollo 11 on site just over three years later.)

The Bradley festivities included a NASA exhibit on the space program, as well as one-third-scale models of Mercury and Gemini capsules. Von Braun was awarded an honorary degree from Bradley the following day at commencement.

05/29/2026

Sixty years ago, Sen. Dirksen was named "Republican of the Year" for the prior year at a celebration held at the Capitol Hill Club.

But what do you give the lawmaker who has everything? Prosaically, he was gifted cufflinks. But one of the more creative gifts for a gentleman with an instantly recognizable hairstyle was the commemorative hairbrush the senator is seen here pondering as he sports a giant marigold boutonniere.

The brush remains in our collection of Dirksen artifacts. On the back, it's engraved "With appreciation to the Hon. Everett M. Dirksen," Republican of the Year 1965, who doesn't care what he uses to brush his hair"

(Photo from Everett M. Dirksen Collection)

05/27/2026

How did Ray LaHood develop his public speaking skills? He shares the story of a memorable teacher and a theatrical production as part of Gary Gillis' latest "What's the Story, Pekin?" podcast at the link below:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6F1GbhQAIQuwiF4sy6yC61

05/25/2026

Today on Memorial Day remember the fallen, those who have died while wearing the uniform of the United States Armed Forces and defending the nation's freedom.

In this photo from either 1951 or 1952, Sen. Everett Dirksen pays tribute to their memories alongside Gold Star parents (front) and military leaders and Illinois elected officials (top).

Photo from Everett M. Dirksen Collection, credit Acme Newspapers.

05/19/2026

ICYMI: The registration deadline is coming up soon for this program at Spoon River College.

Check out this informative class on the unique role Central Illinois leaders played in the Civil Rights Movement!

Wednesday, May 27th, 5:30 pm, just $10!

Register at https://src.augusoft.net or call 309-649-6260

05/15/2026

Our recent visit to Washington, D.C., included several familiar faces!

A trio of top staffers from the offices of Bob Michel and Ray LaHood spent parts of the day with us last Friday recording oral histories about their experiences working with one or both of those dedicated leaders. Thank you to Diane Liesman, Joan DeBoer and Michael S. Johnson for your stories about serving the people of Illinois' 18th District and the nation!

Later in the day, we were joined by Pekin native Tom Paullin, who shared some wonderful stories with us about his family's experiences with Everett Dirksen, the senator's relationship with President Lyndon Johnson, and what he saw of the senator's continuing, posthumous influence in the nation's capital. Tom also graciously showed us some of the capital's less-familiar sites later in the day!

(Photos via Raphael Rodolfi / )

05/14/2026

This week, Dirksen Center historian Chris Kaergard joins Gary Gillis' podcast to share a few stories you may not have heard about Everett Dirksen's early life in Pekin, including the ways he developed his talent as an orator and built his vocabulary in the classroom.

05/13/2026

Members of the Dirksen Center staff spent most of last week in Washington, D.C., at Association of Centers for the Study of Congress annual meeting.

Three days of sessions at the National Archives included presentations about best practices for archiving "born-digital" collections, as well as archiving constituent correspondence.

We also heard from authors who have made use of congressional records, including Dr. Molly Ritchie, author of "Backdoor Lawmaking," which examines lawmakers' influence on federal agency rulemaking. The Ohio State University political science professor's early research was funded in part by the Dirksen Center.

Dirksen Center communications director Chris Kaergard also participated in a panel led by educator Dr. Beth Shaver on how documents we and other institutions have uploaded to the American Congress Digital Archives Portal are being used in K-12 classrooms and other educational endeavors. Teachers may access lesson plans at congressarchives.org/educationalresources

As always, our sessions included a panel featuring a former member of Congress. In this case, it was former Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia. He worked closely with his fellow Lebanese-American, Rep. Ray LaHood, on issues connected to Lebanon during their shared tenures on office.

(Photos via Raphael Rodolfi / Videogenique and via Dirksen Center staff)

05/07/2026

Dirksen Center Executive Director Tiffany White joins the latest episode of Gary Gillis' podcast to tell the tale of the first woman to serve in Congress.

During her second stint in office, then-Rep. Everett Dirksen was one of those who spoke to her in the moments after she cast her vote over U.S. entry into World War II.

What's the Story Pekin? · Episode

05/06/2026

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Did you know that one of Everett Dirksen's most memorable teachers at Pekin Community High School District 303 helped multiple generations of his family?

His nephew Tom Dirksen shares with us the impact Lela Lockett had on the senator, his family, and the entire Pekin community.