Freedom Writer - July/August 1995

[ref001]

How to write your Congressmen

One of the best ways to get your point of view to members of Congress 
is through a personal letter. Elected officials pay close attention 
to the mail they receive because every letter represents a certain 
portion of their constituency. Many elected officials now have e-mail 
addresses. For those with access to the World-Wide Web, the Institute 
for First Amendment Studies' Electronic Activist provides an easy 
way to send e-mail to your Congressmen. The URL is [ref002]http://www.crocker.com/~ifas/activist. 
Whether you use the Internet or the postal system, there are certain 
basic rules to follow when writing to elected officials. Here are 
some tips:

_
In the first paragraph, state your purpose for writing. Make it short 
and to the point. If you are writing about a certain bill, specify 
its number.
Then, build your case - explain why you feel as you do. Use facts, 
not emotional arguments to support your position. Explain the ramifications 
of the matter in question.
If you are writing in opposition to something, say so. Explain why 
it is wrong, and suggest alternatives.
If you admire your legislator for a particular reason, mention it 
in your letter.
Ask your legislator his or her view on the subject.
If possible, keep your letter to one page. Make it legible.  Unless 
you have excellent handwriting, use a word processor or typewriter.
Be sure to include your name and complete address (even for email 
correspondence). 
Follow this recommended format:
The Honorable _____________
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable _____________
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
_

[ref003][ref004] Return to table of contents 

Copyright 1995 IFAS
The Freedom Writer / ifas@crocker.com

[ref001] ../banner.gif
[ref002] ~/activist
[ref003] index.html
[ref004] ../../uparrow.gif

        This file is copywritten by the Institute for First
        Amendment Studies.

        Subscribe to The Freedom Writer and Walk Away news
        letters by writing to or telephoneing the Institute
        for First Amendment Studies:

        Post Office Box 589
        Great Barrington, Massachusetts.  01230
        Telephone: (413) 528-3800
        E-Mail: ifas@crocker.com
        Web page: http://www.crocker.com/~ifas