Black’s Website Named One of the Best on Capitol Hill
Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Diane Black (R-TN), was awarded the “112th Congress Silver Mouse Award” by the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF), a nonpartisan nonprofit working to improve communications between citizens and Congress to enhance operations in Capitol Hill offices.
“My Congressional website is an invaluable tool for me to stay in touch with constituents back home, and I am honored that my office was recognized for our online presence,” said Black. “It is a top priority of mine to provide my constituents with accurate, timely information and several ways to stay in touch with me. My website offers various tools and services for the people of the 6th District, and I am very proud that I have been able to provide this level of contact without spending additional taxpayer dollars.”
On Congressman Black’s website, constituents will find the latest news from Washington, help with federal issues, ways to schedule tours for a visit to DC as well as several ways to contact her offices. Congressman Black has also introduced several unique features to her website which include:
- An interactive map of her 6th District visits
- Detailed budget information on the federal government
- Constituent advisory committees for feedback and discussion on various issues
- A ‘Communities in the District’ section, providing information on all 6th District counties
In addition to her website, Congressman Black engages with constituents through her Facebook and Twitter accounts, providing day to day information on her work in Washington.
CMF has assessed and graded congressional websites and issued these awards since 2001. CMF conducted its analysis from June to September 2011 and today released its latest report, “112th Congress Gold Mouse Report: Best Practices in Online Communications on Capitol Hill.”
“Rep. Black is to be commended for educating citizens and achieving the highest degree of transparency and accountability in online communications," said Bradford Fitch, President and CEO of CMF. "In the 21st Century, a website is much more than a broadcasting tool for a political message - it's a virtual office and a window into our democratic institutions. These winners of the Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Mouse Awards understand the value of using the Internet to enlighten and serve constituents, and are examples for all congressional offices to follow."
More on the Congressional Management Foundation:
Of the 618 congressional websites graded, a total of 98 personal office, committee and leadership websites earned A’s, and will therefore receive a Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze Mouse Award. With the assistance and guidance of faculty from the University of California-Riverside, the Ohio State University, and Northeastern University, CMF staff assessed and graded the websites and gave each a numerical score, which was translated into a grade of A through F.
The criteria for website assessments have been developed and refined by CMF over the past decade based on survey research, focus groups with constituents, and interviews with key stakeholders to congressional offices. This is the sixth round of Gold Mouse Awards CMF has issued since 2001. In 2009 CMF moved the Gold Mouse Awards to a once-a-Congress schedule, and the awards are now issued in the first year of a new Congress.
Founded in 1977, CMF is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to helping Congress and its Members meet the evolving needs and expectations of an engaged and informed 21st century citizenry. Its work focuses on improving congressional operations and enhancing citizen engagement through research, publications, training, and management services. The Gold Mouse Awards and congressional website research is part of CMF's Partnership for a More Perfect Union, dedicated to enriching the relationship between citizens and Congress.
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