Write Your Congressman

This page will help you get your thoughts together so you can construct an effective letter to your congressperson. We have some suggested text already in the boxes below but feel free to rewrite it or start from scratch.

Note: Senators and Representatives “represent” the people in their districts. It is important your letter goes to YOUR legislators.

#1 Use the “Locate Your Senators and Representative” tool to the right.

#2 Then copy and paste as much of their information as you need in the fields below.

Note: If you are sending snail mail, you may need to go to their website to find their physical address. If you are sending an email or going to post your letter into their web form, than only the full name is necessary.

To The Honorable: 
Address1: 
Address2: 
City: 
State:     ZIP:
Phone: 
eMail: 

#3 Write Your Letter: The best letters are courteous, to the point, and include specific supporting examples.

NOTE: Feel free to rewrite any of the following paragraphs to suit your particular situation.

First Paragraph: Briefly say (1) why you are writing and (2) who you are. List your "credentials" which may be that you have an effected health issue.


Second Paragraph: Provide more detail. Be factual not emotional. Provide specific rather than general information about how the topic affects you and others.


Third Paragraph: Include here your personal story or how fluorescent bulbs negatively effect you...


Fourth Paragraph: Close by requesting the action you want taken:
Example: "Please vote in support of H.R. 91."



#4 Sign with your full name and your real physical address and contact information. Remember, Representatives represent their constituents so they need to know you can vote to keep them in or remove them from office.

Sincerely,
 
Address1: 
Address2: 
City: 
State:     ZIP: +
Phone: 
eMail: 

#5  

The Consumerist says that the longer your letter, the longer a reply you will likely receive, providing you with more information to deal with your issue. Urging others to write also on the same issues across your district, your state and the country will add force to your voice in congress. To gain attention and add further weight to your letter you may want to get a write up in the local newspapers community section about your letter and the response you received with pictures of you and the letters. This can bring greater awareness to the issues and encourage still others to write as well.

And here are some additional pointers to consider:

  1. Write a letter on real paper. It doesn’t have to be hand-written; you can use a computer. But a physical sheet of paper carries more weight than an email. It takes more time, effort, energy, and thought than email.
  2. Make sure you include your physical address. They need to know you are a constituent, even if you know you don’t live in their district.
  3. Make sure your name is clearly spelled out. Some signatures are hard to read, so make sure you legibly print your name on the letter.
  4. Send the letter where the official is. Is the legislature meeting in session? Send the letter to Tallahassee. If not, send it to the district office.
  5. Be nice. You can disagree without being disagreeable. So, treat your elected official the way you expect him or her to treat you – with civility and respect. Even if you are writing to Dick Cheney or Nancy Pelosi, and you hate their politics with a zealous fervor, being respectful yet direct can move your letter to the top of the stack.

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