To give junior high and high school students-and their parents-a better understanding of American constitutional processes and civic life, Mississippi State now offers a new Internet web site.

Titled "How Congress Works," the PowerPoint presentation was developed by a team at Mitchell Memorial Library and the John C. Stennis Institute of Government to describe the history of Congress and, using actual case studies, illustrate the legislative process. The presentation is available at http://library.msstate.edu/congressional/research_center.asp and also at http://www.sig.msstate.edu.

Michael B. Ballard, archivist and coordinator of the library's Congressional and Political Research Center, developed the project with library colleague Craig S. Piper and Stennis Institute research analyst Stephen Williams.

"Our goal is to show the human side of government," Piper said. "Presented in simple, understandable language, this project illustrates how congressional decisions affect everyone."

Methods of introducing legislation, types of legislation and the typical path a bill follows through Congress to the president's desk are among topics covered. Web site visitors also are introduced to congressional committees and their roles in the legislative process, with links provided to additional committee information.

Additionally, "How Congress Works" offers insights into both interactions between Congress and the executive branch and the motivations and personalities that drive legislation.