Boozman Gets a Golden Mouse

“I am very honored to have my office recognized with the Gold Mouse Award, as it affirms my commitment to the constituents in the Third District,” said Congressman John Boozman (R-Pinnacle Gated Community) when his website was one of 104 Web sites commended in The 2007 Gold Mouse Report: Lessons from the Best Web Sites on Capitol Hill. That's good.

"The Internet has the potential to transform the connection between citizens and their representatives. While it is clear that the Internet has played an important role in mobilizing and informing voters, most Members have not seized the day. Surprisingly few Member sites offer much content on where the Member stands on the issues of the day," said Dr. David Lazer, Associate Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Program on Networked Governance at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

"The most important reason we give the Mouse Awards is to highlight best practices and inspire and motivate other offices to improve their sites by learning from those doing a good job," said Beverly Bell, Executive Director of the Congressional Management Foundation. The report details six elements of what makes an effective website for elected officials. Let us hope that our city and county officials might download the report and give it some attention. It couldn't hurt; it might help.