CQ Reporter Jonathan Allen Wins Dirksen Award For Distinguished Reporting On Congress
Award is a Record Eighth for Congressional Quarterly
Washington, D.C. (December 3, 2008) — Congressional Quarterly Inc., the nation’s premier provider of news, analysis and information on Congress, politics and public policy, today announced that CQ Politics reporter Jonathan Allen has been awarded the Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting on Congress by the National Press Foundation.
“Jon Allen is a very talented reporter, and we are pleased that he has received such an esteemed award,” said Robert W. Merry, president and editor-in-chief of CQ. “CQ has a long history of providing distinguished reporting on Congress. We are proud to set a new record with eight Dirksen Awards.”
Allen won for his October 1, 2007, CQ Weekly cover package, “Manifest Disparity,” in which he explored the development of appropriations earmarks and the way they are doled out among Members of Congress. This multi-part cover story was the result of in-depth analysis and examination of earmarks from House-passed 2008 spending bills. National Press Foundation judges were impressed by the thoroughness of the reporting and the scope of his work.
His piece examined the disparity in earmark distribution among Members of Congress, based on a number of key factors, including their relationship to House leaders, committee assignments, race, political orientation, electoral safety, seniority and proximity to "Murtha's Corner,” referring to John Murtha’s (D-Pa.) votes and earmarks trading post, which is located in a back corner of the House floor.
“Jon started by spending a weekend poring over appropriations data to get a handle on how earmarks are distributed to members,” said Michael G. Riley, senior vice president and editor of CQ. “His hard work, smarts and curiosity were the genesis for a first-rate piece of investigative and explanatory journalism.”
Riley added, “With the expert guidance of John Cranford, who edited the piece, and the talented support of the CQ Research Department, especially Rachel Bloom and Ryan Kelly, Jon was able to shine a light on the earmarks game and help our readers understand the way it is played.”
The Dirksen Award was created in 1980 in honor of the renowned Republican Senate minority leader from Illinois. The award is intended to recognize individuals whose work shows thoughtful appraisal and insight into the workings of the U.S. Congress. The award is presented at the foundation's annual Awards Dinner on February 10, 2009 (www.nationalpress.org).
Allen is a CQ Politics reporter who also contributes to CQ Weekly and CQ Today. He launched his Washington journalism career at CQ in 2000. In addition to elections, he has covered congressional party leadership and the federal budget and appropriations process. He is a frequent guest commentator on television and radio news programs, including CNN, MSNBC, FOX, C-SPAN, NPR and many others.
Allen is the eighth CQ reporter to receive the coveted Dirksen Award since its inception in 1980. He joins past CQ winners John Cochran, Sue Kirchhoff, Jackie Koszczuk, George Hager, Janet Hook, Joan Biskupic and Alan Ehrenhalt. CQ has won more Dirksen Awards than any other media organization.
About Congressional Quarterly Inc.
With more than 150 reporters, editors and researchers covering Capitol Hill and Washington, Congressional Quarterly keeps its readers updated in print and online on a weekly, daily and real-time basis. With a readership that includes nearly every member of Congress, as well as Executive Branch officials, leaders in business and associations, top academic institutions and important media outlets, CQ provides opinion leaders comprehensive, credible, current and objective information on Congress, politics and public policy. CQ’s award-winning product line includes: CQ Weekly, CQ Today, CQ.com, CQ Homeland Security, CQ Budget Tracker, CQ HealthBeat, CQ MoneyLine, CQ Politics and Governing Magazine. CQ is owned by the Times Publishing Co. of St. Petersburg, Fla., publisher of the St. Petersburg Times and other publications. For more information, visit www.cq.com or www.cqpolitics.com.