"In this era of technology and communication, it is crucial that we provide the public with constant updates on Committee Activity," said Committee Chairman Bart Gordon. "Our site has grown to become a key tool for recording, maintaining and distributing Committee information -- one that I hope all those interested in our Committee have come to rely on."
The CMF is a non-profit, non-partisan management consulting and research organization dedicated to promoting a more effective Congress. The CMF annually reviews all Congressional Web sites and rates them on their five building blocks for effective Web sites: audience, content, usability, interactivity, and innovation.
In the midst of busy schedules, time sensitive legislation, and votes; one common attribute among the award-winning Web sites was the significance they placed on making their Web site a priority. The top Web sites are awarded the Mouse Awards: Gold (A+), Silver (A), and Bronze (A-). This year only 36 of the 618 committee, leadership, and House & Senate Member Web sites reviewed earned a Gold Award. Of the 68 Congressional Committee Web sites evaluated, the House Science and Technology Committee is among five to receive a Golden Mouse Award.
After an in-depth analysis of the Committee's Web site, the CMF noted, "The depth of information alone is exemplary. With its consistent look and feel, and features such as a site map and sorting capabilities for most of its documents, the site goes above and beyond what is standard practice on Capitol Hill."
"Our Committee recognizes the importance of an informative, accountable, user-friendly Web site, and we are constantly creating new ways to make the Web site more efficient and useful for Congressional staff, reporters, interest groups, educators and professionals in the science and technology field," added Chairman Gordon.
