Everett McKinley Dirksen is remembered as a prominent and effective congressional leader. As Senate Minority Leader (1959–1969), he became well-known for his indispensable role in successfully negotiating and gathering the support of his colleagues to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Upon his death in 1969, his family and former staff collaborated with the Pekin community to establish the Everett McKinley Dirksen Congressional Leadership Research Center and advance the public’s understanding of the US Congress.