Selected Organziations to Know

U.S. Government
   Executive Departments
   Legislative Branch
   Judicial Branch
   Federal Agencies and Offices
State Government
Private Agencies and Organizations

U.S. Government

Executive Office of the President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
(202) 456-1414
www.whitehouse.gov

Office of the Vice President
Executive Office Building
17th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20501
(202) 456-2326
www.whitehouse.gov/vicepresident/

Executive Departments

Department of Agriculture
14th Street & Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250
(202) 720-4623
www.usda.gov
www.usda.gov/news/special/kidpg.htm
Responsible for U.S. agricultural policy. Regulates and expands markets for agricultural products. Directs food and nutrition services, including food stamp program. Inspects, grades, and safeguards quality of food products. Involved in rural development, forest management, and water and soil conservation.

Department of Commerce
1901 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20230
(202) 482-2000
www.commerce.gov/
Concerned with economic development and technological advancement. Provides assistance and information to business and industry. Assists development of the U.S. merchant marine and the growth of minority businesses. Provides social, economic, and scientific data to business and government. Conducts the U.S. census. Promotes travel to the United States by foreign tourists and assists development of economically deprived areas throughout the country.

Department of Defense
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301
(703) 545-6700
www.defenselink.mil
Provides the military forces needed to end war and to protect the security of the United States.

Department of Education
600 Independent Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202-0498
(202) 401-0689
(800) USA-LEARN
www.ed.gov
Administers federal aid programs for all aspects of education, including preschool through college; adult, vocational, and bilingual education; public libraries; and education for the handicapped.

Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20585
(800) DIAL-DOE
www.energy.gov
Has responsibility for energy development and conservation policies. Conducts research on new energy sources and advises the government on energy matters.

Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
(877) 696-6775
www.dhhs.gov
www.hhs.gov/kids/
Administers federal programs involving all aspects of public health and human services, including medical research, health care financing, mental health and disease control, alcohol and drug abuse, health services, social security, and public welfare. Operates a hotline offering civil rights information, as well as one for runaways.

Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528
www.dhs.gov
(202) 282-8000
Formed in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, this department consolidated 22 disparate previously disparate agencies to protect the homeland, particularly from future terrorist attacks.

Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20410
(202) 708-1112
www.hud.gov
www.hud.gov/kids/kids.html
Has responsibility for programs concerned with housing and community development. Administers programs involving urban planning, mortgage insurance, rent subsidies, home building, and neighborhood rehabilitation and preservation. Operates a hotline that handles discrimination complaints.

Department of the Interior
1849 C. Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
(202) 208-3100
www.doi.gov
www.doi.gov/kids
Has responsibility for management and conservation of most publicly owned lands and natural resources. Operates and preserves national parks and historical places, protects fish and wildlife, conserves and develops mineral resources, and is responsible for outdoor recreation and Native American and territorial affairs.

Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530-0001
(202) 514-2000
(202) 353-1555 (Office of the Attorney General)
www.usdoj.gov
www.usdoj.gov/kidspage
Has responsibility for enforcing federal laws, representing the government in federal cases, and interpreting laws under which other departments act. Has divisions involved in antitrust, civil rights, natural resources, and tax law. Special bureaus include the FBI, Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Marshals, National Institute of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency, Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Bureau of Justice Statistics, and Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20210>
(866) 4-USA-DOL
www.dol.gov
Has responsibility for all aspects of labor and employment, including wages, hours, safety and health conditions, job training, pensions and benefits, collective bargaining, and union/management relations.

Department of State
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20520
(202) 647-4000
www.state.gov
www.state.gov/www/digital_diplomacy/index.html
Is the primary source of foreign affairs information for the U.S. government. Provides much of the national security and economic facts available to the government and most of the data on the internal politics of foreign countries.

Department of Transportation
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
(202) 366-4000
www.dot.gov
education.dot.gov
Responsible for U.S. transportation policy. Provides funds for highway planning and construction and urban mass transit. Assists and regulates railroads, airlines, ports, waterways, and highway safety.

Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20220
(202) 622-2000
www.treas.gov
www.ustreas.gov/kids/
Responsible for U.S. tax and money policies. Designs and prints coins, stamps, and currency. Collects federal taxes via the Internal Revenue Service. Oversees the Secret Service, the Customs Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

Department of Veterans Affairs
1120 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20421
(202) 418-4343
www.va.gov
Administers veterans' benefit programs, including disability compensation, pensions, education, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation, medical care, and burial benefits.

Legislative Branch

U.S. House of Representatives
The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 224-3121
www.house.gov
A good source for information about a specific bill or law is the congressional committee that drafted the bill or has authority for overseeing the law's implementation. To contact a member of the House of Representatives, write to the address provided.

U.S. Senate
The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3121
www.senate.gov
To contact a member of the Senate, write to the address provided.

Judicial Branch

Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
1 Columbus Circle, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20544
(202) 502-2600
www.uscourts.gov
The purpose of this site is to function as a clearinghouse for information from and about the Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government.

Supreme Court of the United States
#1 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20543
(202) 479-3211
www.supremecourtus.gov
Copies of recently decided cases can be obtained by contacting the clerk of the court at the address provided.

Federal Agencies and Offices

ACTION
1100 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20525
(202) 634-9108
The federal domestic volunteer agency. Oversees six volunteer programs operated in the United States: VISTA, Foster Grandparent Program, Senior Companion Program, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Student Community Service Project, and ACTION Drug Alliance.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
650 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20226
(202) 927-7777
www.atf.treas.gov/
The ATF is a law enforcement agency within the Department of the Treasury. They are responsible for attempting to reduce crime, collect revenue, and protecting the public. Enforces federal laws in relation to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and arson.

Commission on Civil Rights
624 9th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20425
(202) 376-8312
www.usccr.gov
Encourages equal opportunity for minority groups and women. Conducts studies and makes recommendations regarding discrimination. Serves as a clearinghouse for civil rights information. Investigates complaints of denial of voting rights.

Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington, D.C. 20207
(800) 638-2772 (Consumer Hotline)
www.cpsc.gov
www.cpsc.gov/kids/kids.html
Establishes and enforces product safety standards, studies causes and prevention of product-related injuries, and conducts surveillance and enforcement programs.

Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
(202) 663-4900
www.epa.gov
Responsible for policies and laws that protect the environment, including regulations aimed at land, water, air, and noise pollution; solid waste disposal; pesticides; and other hazardous materials.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
1801 L Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20507
(202) 663-4900
To file a charge:
1400 L Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 275-7377
www.eeoc.gov
Handles complaints regarding job discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and disability. Has power to conduct investigations and bring court actions where necessary.

Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
(888) CALL-FCC
www.fcc.gov
Regulates communications media, including radio, television, cable, and satellite. Investigates complaints regarding radio or television broadcasting.

Federal Election Commission
999 E Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20463
(202) 694-1100
(800) 424-9530
www.fec.gov
Administers and enforces provisions of the Federal Election Campaign Act. The act requires the disclosure of sources and uses of campaign money for any federal office, limits the amount of individual contributions, and provides for public financing of presidential elections.

Federal Judicial Center
1 Columbus Circle, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 273-4000
www.fjc.gov
The federal courts' agency for research and continuing education. Conducts and promotes research on federal court organization, operations, and history and develops recommendations about the operation and study of the federal courts. Also promotes orientation and continuing education for federal judges and court employees.

Federal Labor Relations Authority
607 14th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20424
(202) 482-6690
www.flra.gov
Administers the laws that protect the right of federal employees to bargain through labor organizations. Resolves labor disputes between federal agencies and unions that represent federal employees. Cases include unfair labor practices, exceptions to arbitration awards, negotiability appeals, and representation petitions.

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
2100 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20427
(202) 606-8100
www.fmcs.gov
Provides mediation assistance and arbitration referrals in labor disputes. Also provides mediation training in other areas.

Federal Reserve System, Board of Governors
20th Street & Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20551
(202) 452-3000
www.federalreserve.gov
Serves as the central bank of the United States. Sets banking policies and regulates the availability of money.

Federal Trade Commission
6th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20580
(202) 326-2222
www.ftc.gov
Responsible for keeping competition among U.S. businesses both free and fair. Will investigate complaints of deceptive or unfair practices involving price fixing, advertising, packaging, labeling, or credit.

General Accounting Office
441 G Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20548
(202) 512-3000
www.gao.gov
The GAO is the investigative branch of Congress. It is responsible for examining the distribution and spending of funds allocated to government programs.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
(800) 424-9393
www.nhtsa.dot.gov
www.nhtsa.dot.gov./people/outreach/KidsPage
NHTSA is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries, and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle accidents. NHTSA also sets safety and performance standards for motor vehicle equipment and conducts highway safety programs. NHTSA promotes safety awareness in young people.

National Labor Relations Board
Franklin Court Building
1099 14th Street, N.W., Suite 5530
Washington, D.C. 20570-0001
(202) 208-3000
www.nlrb.gov
An independent federal agency that investigates, prosecutes, and remedies unfair labor practices by employers and labor unions. Conducts secret ballot elections among workers to determine whether they wish to be represented by a labor union.

National Transportation Safety Board
490 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20594
(202) 314-6000
www.ntsb.gov
Independent federal agency that investigates accidents and makes recommendations to avoid reoccurrences. This agency works in all modes of transportation including aviation, railway, highway, pipeline, and marine.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
11555 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 415-8200
(800) 368-5642
www.nrc.gov
Regulates commercial uses of nuclear energy. Responsibilities include licensing, inspection, and enforcement.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20210
(202) 523-1452
(800) 321-OSHA (To report emergencies and accidents)
www.osha.gov
Division of the Department of Labor that sets policy, develops programs, and investigates complaints regarding occupational safety and health hazards.

Office of Consumer Affairs-Federal Information Center
409 3rd. Street. S.W.
Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20416
(202) 606-4000
(800) 688-9889
www.consumer.gov
Set up by the president to be the consumer's "voice" in Washington. Provides consumer information, advises on consumer policies and programs, conducts consumer education, and advises citizens on where and how to file consumer complaints. Publishes the Consumer Action Handbook, which is available from the Consumer Information Center.

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
810 Seventh Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20531
(202) 307-5911
http://ojjDP.NCjrs.org
The OJJDP provides federal leadership to prevent and control juvenile crime and to help improve the juvenile justice system.

Office of Management and Budget
725 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20503
(202) 395-3080
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
The Office of Management and Budget is responsible for assisting the president in preparing the federal budget. The OMB also supervises other agencies and their programs in order to determine funding for the individual agencies. Aims to help improve administrative management on the federal level, thus eliminating unnecessary problems for the public.

Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20260
(202) 268-2020
www.usps.com
Provides mail processing and delivery services to individuals and businesses throughout the United States. (The Consumer Protection Office handles consumer complaints, enforces law to prevent receipt of unwanted mail, and investigates postal fraud and lost mail.)

Small Business Administration
409 3rd Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20416
(800) UASK-SBA
www.sba.gov
Provides information and assistance to small businesses on problems of marketing, accounting, product analysis, production methods, and research and development. Runs many financial assistance programs for small businesses.

Surface Transportation Board
1925 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20423
(202) 565-1674
www.stb.dot.gov
Regulates interstate commerce. The Office of Consumer Affairs, which appears in this listing, handles consumer complaints involving interstate moving companies, buses, trains, and small shipments.

United States Census Bureau
4700 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, MD 20746
(301) 457-4608
www.census.gov
Collects and provides timely, relevant, and quality data about the people and economy of the United States.

State Government

http://galaxy.einet.net/galaxy/Government/Government-Agencies.html
This Web page will give you access to numerous state agencies and offices in the United States.

National Association of Attorneys General
750 First Street, N.W., Suite 1100
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 326-6000
www.naag.org
Has committees on many legal topics. Issues newsletters and publications.

Private Agencies and Organizations

Academy of Family Mediators
5 Militia Drive
Lexington, MA 02421
(781) 674-2663
www.mediationadr.net/mediainformation/MedInfo-Mediators/Ethics_AFM.htm
Advocates mediation as an alternative to litigation in domestic affairs matters. Provides a referral service.

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
750 1st Street, N.E., Suite 901
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 408-1711
www.saferoads.org
A collection of consumer, health, and safety groups as well as insurance companies working side by side to make roads safer. They also encourage the acceptance of laws to reduce injuries and accident-related deaths.

AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations)
815 16th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 637-5000
www.aflcio.org
Voluntary coalition of unions that represents labor interests in legislative and judicial contexts. Formulates policy on worker-related issues.

Alliance for Justice
11 Dupont Circle, N.W., 2nd Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 822-6070
www.afj.org
An association that advocates justice for all Americans and works to strengthen their ability to influence policy. The Alliance for Justice represents many organizations concerned with civil rights for all persons.

American Arbitration Association
335 Madison Avenue, Floor 10
New York, NY 10017-4605
(212) 716-5800
(800) 778-7879
www.adr.org
Provides dispute resolution services, training, and technical assistance through its headquarters and regional offices.

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
112 South Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3061
(703) 838-9808
www.aamft.org
A membership association of therapists that will provide referral lists. The Commission for Marriage and Family Therapy Education accredits marriage and family therapy programs.

American Bar Association
750 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 988-5000
www.abanet.org
Professional organization of lawyers that provides services and information to state and local bar associations. Serves as a resource on most law-related topics. Acts as a national spokesperson for the legal profession. Establishes standards for lawyers and courts and accredits law schools.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004-2400
(212) 944-9800
www.aclu.org
Nonprofit organization supporting civil liberties through lobbying and trying test cases in court.

American Conservative Union
1007 Cameron Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(800) ACU-7345
www.conservative.org
A lobbying and educational group. Offers a yearly rating on members of Congress on their "conservativeness," hosts the Conservative Political Action Convention, and provides various conservative publications.

American Probation and Parole Association
2760 Research Park Drive
P.O. Box 11910
Lexington, KY 40578-1910
(859) 244-8203
http://www.appa-net.org
The APPA is an international association that is actively involved with probation, parole, and community-based corrections.

American Tort Reform Association
1101 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 682-1163
www.atra.org
National advocate of lawsuit reform. Mission is to bring greater efficiency, fairness, and predictability to the civil justice system through public education and legislation.

American Youth Policy Forum
1836 Jefferson Place, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 775-9731
www.aypf.org
AYPF is a nonprofit organization that provides learning opportunities for policy makers that are working with youth issues at the local, state, and national levels.

Amnesty International
322 8th Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(212) 807-8400
(800) AMNESTY
Or
304 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 544-0200
www.amnesty.org
Amnesty International is an independent, worldwide human rights movement working for the release of all prisoners of conscience, prompt trials for political prisoners, and an end to torture and execution of people.

Association for Conflict Resolution
1527 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 667-9700
www.acresolution.org
Promotes conflict resolution processes and their use and works on innovative approaches to avoid future conflict. Provides information and technical assistance for use of dispute resolution processes.

Association of Trial Lawyers of America
1050 31st Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 965-3500
(800) 424-2725
www.atla.org
ATLA is a coalition of attorneys, judges, law professors, law students, and paralegals. It promotes justice for injured persons, protects victims' rights, and strives to strengthen civil justice through education.

Center for Dispute Settlement
1666 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 265-9572
www.cdsusa.org
Designs and assesses nontraditional methods of dispute resolution.

Center for Law and Education
1875 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 510
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 986-3000
www.cleweb.org
Helps legal services programs in local communities on issues concerning law and education.

Center for Law and Social Policy
1015 15th Street, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 906-8000
www.clasp.org
National public interest organization addressing the problems of low-income families and the legal needs of the poor through policy advocacy, education, research, and legal representation.

Center for Study of Responsive Law
P.O. Box 19367
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 387-8030
www.csrl.org
Information center for a variety of topics of public interest law, including environmental protection, banking and insurance regulation, and workplace safety and health.

The United States Chamber of Commerce
1615 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20062-2000
(202) 659-6000
www.uschamber.org
Federation of businesses, chambers of commerce, American chambers of commerce overseas, and trade and professional associations. The Chamber is America's principal advocate for the American business community.

Children's Defense Fund
25 E Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 628-8787
www.childrensdefense.org
Concerned with long-range and systematic advocacy on behalf of the nation's children in the areas of education; child care, health, and welfare; and family support services.

Citizens' Commission on Civil Rights
2000 M Street, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 659-5565
www.cccr.org
Assists civil rights groups and monitors government compliance with civil rights laws. The commission does not take individual cases.

Citizens' Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
James Madison Building
Liberty Park
12500 N.E. Tenth Place
Bellvue, WA 98005
(425) 454-7012
(800) 426-4302
www.ccrkba.org
Study and advisory body dealing with gun owners' rights. Is also a grass-roots lobbying organization.

Close-Up Foundation
44 Canal Center Plaza
Alexandria, VA 22314-1592
(800) CLOSE UP
www.closeup.org
Encourages responsible, informed participation in the policy process. Works to educate citizens about the public policy process and emphasizes how that public policy will affect their lives.

Coalition for America
717 2nd Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 546-3003
Coalition supporting anti-abortion and anti-pornography laws.

Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
1023 15th Street, N.W., Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 408-0061
www.gunfree.org
Information resource for groups interested in banning handguns.

Common Cause
1250 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 833-1200
www.commoncause.org
A national citizens' lobby devoted to making government at national and state levels more open and accountable to citizens.

Community Policing Consortium
1726 M Street, N.W., Suite 801
Washington, D.C. 20036
(800) 833-3085
www.communitypolicing.org
The Community Policing Consortium delivers community policing training and technical assistance to police departments and sheriffs' offices that are grantees of the Office of Community Policing Services.

Consumer Federation of America
1424 16th Street, N.W., Suite 604
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 387-6121
www.consumerfed.org
Federation of national, regional, state, and local consumer groups. Helps consumer groups organize and act, lobbies on proposed consumer legislation, and publicizes important issues.

Consumer Information Center
Room G-142 (XCC)
1800 F Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20405
(202) 501-1794
www.pueblo.gsa.gov
Publishes a catalog of free and low-cost federal publications for consumers. Arm of the General Services Administration.

Consumers Union
1666 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 310
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 462-6262
www.consumerreports.org
www.consumersunion.org
Nonprofit organization providing information, education, and counseling about consumer goods and services and the management of a family income. Tests, rates, and reports on competing brands of products and publishes reports in monthly Consumer Reports magazine.

Cooperative Housing Foundation
8601 Georgia Avenue, Suite 800
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 587-4700
www.chfhq.org
Interested in improving the quality of housing and urban development, especially for people with modest incomes, through the encouragement of cooperative housing. Offers training and technical assistance to low-income families in developing countries.

Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 276-0100
www.bbb.org
Supported by membership of private businesses and local Better Business Bureaus in the United States and Canada. Local bureaus provide company reliability reports, handle consumer complaints, and provide mediation and arbitration services.

Environmental Defense Fund
257 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
(212) 505-2100
www.environmentaldefense.org
Citizens' interest group that links science, economics, and law to create innovative, cost-effective, and viable solutions to today's environmental problems.

Ethics and Public Policy Center
1015 15th Street, N.W., Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 682-1200
www.eppc.org
The EPPC is an organization that deals with the political relevance of ethical issues such as the dignity of every person, individual freedoms and responsibilities, justice and the rule of law. To read the EPPC's newsletter, go to www.eppc.org/newsletters/newsw97.html.

Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance
P.O. Box 75265
Washington, D.C. 20013-5265
(202) 667-5139
www.glaa.org
GLAA is a nonprofit organization that strives to advance the equal rights of gay men and women in Washington, D.C. GLAA is the nation's oldest gay and lesbian civil rights organization.

Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
5455 Wilshire Boulevard #1500
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 933-2240
(800) GAY-MEDIA
www.glaad.org
GLAAD is a national organization that promotes fair representation as a way of challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
121 W. 27th Street, Suite 804
New York, NY 10001
(212) 727-0135
www.glsen.org
GLSEN is a national organization that works to end anti-gay bias in schools through providing materials, training, and support to students and educators.

Handgun Control-Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
1225 Eye Street, N.W., Suite 1100
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 898-0792
www.handguncontrol.org
Advocacy group that supports gun control through lobbying and acts as a clearinghouse for information on handgun control issues.

Help Abolish Legal Tyranny-An Organization for Legal Reform (HALT)
1612 K Street, N.W., Suite 510
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 887-8255
(888) FOR-HALT
www.halt.org
Educates the public about the legal system. Studies and promotes mediation services as an alternative.

Human Rights USA Resource Center
229 19th Avenue, South
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0444
(888) HRE-DUC8
www.hrusa.org
Human Rights USA educates people in the United States about their human rights and encourages community based action.

Institute for Law and Justice
1018 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 684-5300
www.ilj.org
Institute for Law and Justice is a nonprofit company that provides research, consulting, and training services in criminal justice. It strives to bring the best criminal justice research and service to the field of criminal justice.

Institute for Local Self-Reliance
2425 18th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-2096
(202) 232-4108
www.ilsr.org
Tries to teach communities the tools of economic self reliance through environmental conservation and environmentally sound behaviors. Provides technical assistance to those concerned with issues of local initiation and independence.

Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse
P.O. Box 6000
Rockville, MD 20849-6000
(800) 638-8736
www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org/about/clearh.html
The Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse links the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's research, publications, and program information to policymakers and other people who take an interest in juvenile justice.

Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
1401 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 662-8600
Or
New York Headquarters
333 Seventh Avenue, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10001
(212) 845-5200
www.lawyerscomm.org
Operates through local committees of private lawyers in 10 cities to provide legal assistance to poor and minority groups.

Lawyers for Civil Justice
1140 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 429-0045
www.lfcj.com
Attorneys' coalition working for tort reform.

Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
1629 K Street, N.W., Suite 1010
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 466-3311
www.civilrights.org
Coalition of civil rights interest groups working for enforcement and enactment of social welfare laws. Clearinghouse for information on related legislation.

League of Women Voters
1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20036-4508
(202) 429-1965
www.lwv.org
Nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Works for voter registration and turnout and encourages media to extract the truth from candidates.

Legal Services Corporation
750 First Street, N.E., 10th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20002-4250
(202) 336-8800
www.lsc.gov
Promotes equal access to the justice system and improves opportunities for low-income people throughout the United States by giving grants for legal counsel that low-income persons otherwise could not afford.

Major Appliance Consumer Action Program
Complaint Exchange
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 984-5858 (call collect)
(800) 621-2476
Helps mediate unresolved consumer complaints involving major appliances once the consumer has already contacted the dealer and manufacturer.

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
634 S. Spring Street, 11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 629-2512
www.maldef.org
Concerned with protecting the constitutional rights of Latinos and supporting the education of Latino American lawyers.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
511 East John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 700
Irving, TX 75062-8187
(800) GET-MADD
www.madd.org
National organization with over 400 chapters. Advocates tougher laws against drunk driving. Mission is to stop drunk driving and to support the victims of this violent crime.

National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL)
1156 15th Street, N.W., Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 973-3000
www.naral.org
Initiates and coordinates political, social, and legal action of individuals and groups concerned with maintaining abortion rights. Conducts research and maintains speakers' bureau.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
4805 Mount Hope Drive
Baltimore, MD 21215
(410) 358-8900
(877) NAACP-98
www.naacp.org
Citizens' interest group seeking elimination of racial segregation and discrimination through legal, legislative, and citizen action as well as educational programs.

National Association of Counties
440 First Street, N.W., Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 393-NACO
www.naco.org
Allows counties to have a strong voice in the nation's capital. It is the only organization to represent county government in the United States. NACO provides legislative, research, technical, and public affairs assistance to its members.

National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
630 Eye Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001-3500
(202) 289-3500
(877) 866-2476
www.nahro.org
Organization that represents local housing authorities, community development agencies, and individual professionals in the field of housing. Works to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income persons. Provides information in the areas of housing, community development, and redevelopment in federal policy, legislation, regulation, and funding.

National Bar Association
1225 11th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001-4217
(202) 842-3900
www.nationalbar.org
Organization of mainly minority lawyers and other legal professionals. Active in legal education projects.

National Center for State Courts
P.O. Box 8798
Williamsburg, VA 23185-8798
(800) 616-6169
www.ncsconline.org
Committed to modernizing court operations and improving justice at the state and local levels throughout the country. Provides information, research training, and technical assistance on court topics.

National Center for Tobacco Free Kids
1400 Eye Street, N.W., Suite 1200
Washington, D.C. 20005
(800) 284-KIDS
www.tobaccofreekids.org
An organization that uses educational programs to prevent children from smoking.

National Center for Youth Law
405 14th Street, 15th Floor
Oakland, CA 94617-2701
(510) 835-8098
www.youthlaw.org
Part of the national system of legal services for the poor. Provides specialized assistance to attorneys and others who work on behalf of poor children.

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
P.O. Box 18749
Denver, CO 80218-0749
(303) 839-1852
(800) 799-SAFE (hotline)
www.ncadv.org
Assists victims of domestic violence. Monitors related legislation and provides educational services.

National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse
322 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 950
Chicago, IL 60604-4357
(312) 663-3520
(800) 55-NCPCA
www.childabuse.org
Resource and advocacy group. Operates a crisis intervention hotline.

National Council on Family Relations
3989 Central Avenue, N.E., Suite 550
Minneapolis, MN 55421
(763) 781-9331
(888) 781-9331
www.ncfr.org
Nonpartisan membership organization devoted to research and dissemination of information on families, marriage, and family life.

National Crime Prevention Council
1000 Connecticut Avenue N.W., 13th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 466-6272
www.ncpc.org
Provides a clearinghouse of information and materials on crime prevention activities and programs. Also provides technical assistance and training in this area.

National Fair Housing Alliance
1212 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 525
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 898-1661
www.nationalfairhousing.org
Protects citizens against housing discrimination in rental, sales, mortgage lending, and insurance. Investigating housing discrimination at the national level.

National Foundation for Credit Counseling
801 Roeder Road, Suite 900
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 589-5600
(800) 388-2227
www.nfcc.org
Sponsors nationwide free or low-cost counseling program to consumers in credit difficulty and provides an educational program for families.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
1325 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 393-5177
www.ngltf.org
NGLTF is a civil rights organization that supports grassroots advocacy and helps to strengthen the gay and lesbian movement towards civil rights at the local and state level, progressing toward movement at the national level. NGLTF is the front line activist group in the gay and lesbian movement.

National Housing Law Project
614 Grand Avenue, Suite 320
Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 251-9400
www.nhlp.org
Publishes information on housing to advance housing justice for the poor, and to improve existing housing conditions. The NHLP also provides legal advice and housing expertise to attorneys and other advocacy groups who serve the poor.

National Insurance Consumer Organization (NICO)
121 North Payne Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 549-8050
Studies insurance marketing and pricing practices and educates the public about buying insurance. Active in the tort reform movement.

National Juvenile Detention Association
Eastern Kentucky University
301 Perkins Building
521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475
(606) 622-6259
www.njda.com
The NJDA strives to promote adequate detention services through training and technical assistance services and through public and professional development.

National Legal Aid and Defender Association
1625 K Street, N.W., Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20006-1604
(202) 452-0620
www.nlada.org
Association of local organizations and individuals that provides legal services to the poor. Publishes a directory of legal aid and defender facilities.

National Legal Center for the Public Interest
1600 K Street, N.W., Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 466-9360
www.nlcpi.org
Resource center on issues relating to the public interest. Seeks to foster knowledge of the administration of justice in a society committed to the rights of individuals, free enterprise, private ownership of property, balanced use of private and public resources, limited governments, and a fair and efficient judiciary.

National Network for Youth
1319 F Street, N.W., 4th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 783-7949
www.nn4youth.org
Provides information and services targeted toward runaway, at-risk, and homeless young people.

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
1600 K Street, Suite 501
Washington, D.C. 20006-2832
(202) 483-5500
www.norml.org
Clearinghouse on marijuana laws. Supports legalization of the drug for personal use.

National Organization for Victim Assistance
1730 Park Road, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20010
(202) 232-6682
(800) TRY-NOVA
www.try-nova.org
Provides information about and technical assistance for victim assistance programs. Counsels victims and makes referrals to counseling programs.

National Organization for Women
733 15th Street, N.W., 2nd Floor
Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 628-8669
www.now.org
Takes action to bring women into full participation in mainstream American society so they can assume all its privileges and responsibilities in full, equal partnership with men.

National Organization on Disability
910 16th Street, N.W., Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 293-5960
www.nod.org
Promotes equal participation of disabled persons in America.

National Partnership for Women and Families
1875 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 650
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 986-2600
www.nationalpartnership.org
Established for the purpose of fighting sex discrimination. Works for equal opportunity, reproductive freedom, quality health care, and economic security for women. Works with Congress, the media, and state governments to advance public policy for women and their families.

National Resource Center for Consumers of Legal Services
6596 Main Street
P.O. Box 340
Gloucester, VA 23061
(804) 693-9330
www.nrccls.org
Publishes a biweekly newsletter reviewing developments in the field of legal services. Serves as a clearinghouse for information on legal services.

National Rifle Association of America (NRA)
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 267-1000
www.nra.org
Supports firearms laws that enable persons to own guns for sport and recreational shooting.

National Right to Life Committee
512 10th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 626-8800
www.nrlc.org
Lobbies for constitutional amendments against abortion. Operates an information clearinghouse and speakers' bureau.

National Runaway Switchboard
3080 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 880-9860
(800) 621-4000
www.nrscrisisline.org
A 24-hour, toll-free national switchboard for runaways and their families. Provides information on shelters and counseling services. Offers to relay messages confidentially.

National Trust for Historic Preservation
1785 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 588-6000
(800) 944-6847
www.nationaltrust.org
Nonprofit organization created to help protect the built environment and our cultural heritage. Offers advice on preservation problems; works with individuals, preservation groups, and public agencies to help them plan and carry out preservation programs; sponsors educational programs; issues publications; and owns and operates historical museums.

National Urban League
120 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
(212) 558-5300
www.nul.org
Nonprofit charitable and educational social services organization working to secure equal opportunity for African Americans and other minorities. Concerned with all issues that affect its constituency. Publishes information booklets supplying research data on the economic gap between black and white Americans.

National Women's Health Network
514 10th Street, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 347-1140
www.womenshealthnetwork.org
Nonprofit organization that monitors legislation, lobbies, and educates people on women's health care issues. Seeks to protect women's health rights.

National Women's Law Center
11 Dupont Circle, N.W., Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 588-5180
www.nwlc.org
Works to protect women's rights. Focuses on issues such as health and reproductive rights, education, employment, income security, and family support. Has multiple strategies for change, including advocacy, public education, and litigation.

National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC)
1638 R Street, N.W., Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 319-7596
(800) 541-6922
NYAC is a national organization that lobbies for legislative protection for sexual minority youth and publishes a newsmagazine on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth issues.

Native American Rights Fund
1506 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 447-8760
www.narf.org
Represents Native American individuals and tribes in legal matters of national significance and publishes a quarterly account of its activities. Deals with large-scale cases.

Newseum
1101 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 284-3544
(800) NEWSEUM
www.newseum.org
Newseum is the world's only interactive museum of news. The museum enables visitors to go behind the scenes to see and experience how and why news is made.

Pacific Legal Foundation-National Litigation Center
10360 Old Placerville Road, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95827
(916) 362-2833
www.pacificlegal.org
Represents the economic, social, and environmental interests of the public in court while emphasizing private property rights; freedom from excessive government regulation; free enterprise; balanced environmental policy; and non-wasteful, productive, and fiscally sound government.

Points of Light Foundation
1400 I Street, N.W., Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 729-8000
www.pointsoflight.org
Encourages and engages people more effectively in volunteer community service to help solve social problems.

Public Citizen
1600 20th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 588-1000
(800) 289-3787
www.citizen.org
This nonprofit consumer advocacy organization, founded in 1971 by Ralph Nader, has five divisions: 1) Congress Watch-researches and lobbies for corporate and government responsibility; 2) Health Research Group-is concerned with health care delivery, safe medications and medical devices, and occupational health and safety; 3) Litigation Group-public interest law firm that emphasizes open government and effective government regulations; 4) Critical Mass Energy Project-opposes nuclear fuels and promotes safe, sustainable energy use; and 5) Buyers Up-focuses on home heating oil buying.

Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund
99 Hudson Street, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10013-2815
(212) 219-3360
(800) 328-2322
www.prldef.org
Provides legal services and educational assistance for Puerto Rican and other Hispanic communities.

Rand Corporation
1700 Main Street
P.O. Box 2138
Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138
(310) 393-0411
www.rand.org
Think tank that assesses practices in both the civil and criminal justice systems. Publishes studies widely used by groups both for and against tort reform.

Southern Poverty Law Center
400 Washington Avenue (zip code 36104)
P.O. Box 2087
Montgomery, AL 36102-4344
(334) 956-8200
www.splcenter.org
Through legal precedents the Southern Poverty Law Center helps establish, protect, and guarantee the legal and civil rights of the poor population in the United States. Publishes Teaching Tolerance, a magazine that addresses classroom ideals such as respect, tolerance, and community building.

Student Press Law Center
1815 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 900
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 807-1904
www.splc.org
SPLC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing legal help and information to the student media and to journalism educators.

Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
The TLPJ Foundation
1717 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 797-8600
www.tlpj.org
A public interest law firm founded in 1982 that specializes in precedent-setting litigation in the areas of toxic torts, environmental protection, consumer rights, worker safety, civil rights and liberties, and access to the courts.

United States Public Interest Research Group (USPIRG)
218 D Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003-1900
(202) 546-9707
www.pirg.org/uspirg
Advocacy group that studies consumer and environmental issues, educates the public on findings, and urges appropriate legislative action.

Welfare to Work Partnership
1129 20th Street, N.W., Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20036-2603
(202) 955-3005
(888) USA-JOB1
www.welfaretowork.org
Welfare to Work is a national, nonprofit organization that was developed to encourage and assist businesses in hiring former welfare recipients without removing current employees.

National Partnership for Women and Families
1875 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 650
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 986-2600
www.wldf.org
Established for the purpose of fighting sex discrimination. Works for equal opportunity, reproductive freedom, quality health care, and economic security for women. Works with Congress, the media, and state governments to advance public policy for women and their families.

Youth Policy Institute
1221 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Suite B
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 638-2144
http://www.freenet.victoria.bc.ca/acadone/library/about.youth-policy.html
The Youth Policy Institute is an information management system that reviews statistical data and policy programs that are brought to their attention. It is a research group that emphasizes statistics in handling local, state, federal, and international policy issues. It also publishes the Corps Report, a semi-monthly magazine on its reports. To read about the Youth Policy Institute, go to the Web site above, which is the address for Ed Focus, a weekly column by Ed Central for education leaders.