ABSTRACT
The chapters in this volume are based on essays prepared for a conference of House leadership sponsored by the Dirksen Congressional Center and held in May 1995 on Capitol Hill. The conference was chaired by former Republican leader Robert H. Michel (R-Ill.), whose remarks appear as the Foreword of this book. Other current and recent House leaders addressed the meeting: former president Gerald R. Ford (R-Mich.), Republican leader, 1965-1973; Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), Republican whip, 1989-1995, and since then Speaker of the House; and House Democratic leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.), majority leader, 1989-1995; minority leader since 1995. Their observations cover the role and responsibility of the House and of House leaders, coalition building, and policy outcomes. Their remarks are excerpted below.
