(WASHINGTON, DC) – On Monday, Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District – Kansas) was awarded the prestigious 2006 Gold Mouse Award. The award, from the Congressional Management Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan management consulting and research organization in Washington, D.C., is given to the best websites in Congress. Moore was among only 18 members to receive the distinguished Gold Mouse Award.

“I am always working to improve communications with my constituents,” Moore said. “It’s an honor to be recognized with such a prestigious award, but the most important reward is knowing that I have been able to help my constituents with their questions or problems.”

Moore’s site, was one of 615 evaluated in the 2006 Gold Mouse Report: Recognizing the Best Web Sites on Capitol Hill, which analyzed congressional websites including those of all Senate and House Members, committees (both majority and minority sites), and official leadership sites. Websites were graded on how well they incorporate five areas: audience, content, usability, interactivity, and innovation. Eighty-five websites were cited in 2006, with 18 winning Gold, 27 winning Silver, and 40 winning Bronze Mouse Awards.

"One of the key purposes of the awards is to illustrate the best practices that we hope can serve as examples for others to follow," said Beverly Bell, executive director of the Congressional Management Foundation. "Congressman Moore’s website shows that he has identified the needs of his constituents and has developed easily accessible content that meets their needs online."

The Gold Mouse Report and Awards are part of the Congressional Management Foundation’s broader research project, “Connecting to Congress,” a study of how Members of Congress can use the Internet to improve communications with their constituents and to promote greater participation in the legislative process.

"With more and more people relying on the Web for their news, shopping, and even paying their bills and taxes, it’s not surprising that they look to congressional websites for quality, accessible information about legislation and services," Moore added. "My website and email newsletter have certainly made it easier for me to communicate with my constituents in a timely manner and, most importantly, provide an opportunity for them to share their views with me."

A full copy of the report, the 2006 Gold Mouse Report: Recognizing the Best Web Sites on Capitol Hill, is available on the Congressional Management Foundation’s Web site at www.cmfweb.org.