Congress

Congressional Contact Info

Go to the Congressional Contact Info page and Copy the mailing address of your representative, and send them a Personal Letter.

Check out these Sample Letters to your congressional representatives – encouraging them to take action.

Letter Writing Source Material

10 Reasons Why the U.S. Must Leave Iraq
from the American Friends Service Committee
www.afsc.org/iraq

Writing Letters to Congress

It is important that we tell elected officials where we stand on issues. Our input on human rights, global trade, corporate accountability, peace and reconciliation, and other issue shapes the way our representatives create and implement policy.

When you are pushing an issue or supporting or trying to defeat a bill, writing to your legislators is a very effective way of getting your message across.

The absolute best thing to do is to write a personal letter. Personal letters show legislators that the author is knowledgeable, interested and committed to the matter at hand. Sending a personal letter also alerts the legislators to the fact that the author is politically active. Legislators keep close track of how their mail is running on particular issues, so your letter will have an influence whether the elected official will read it or not. Many legislators argue that one clear, logical individual letter is worth more than a petition with a thousand signatures!

Suggestions for Writing Personal Letters:

Be Timely - Write when an issue is current. Procrastination reflects apathy, and an outdated letter is a sure way to guarantee that your voice will not be heard and that the legislators will assume you don't really care.

Be Brief - Limit yourself to one page and to one topic. The goal is to be read and understood.

Be Specific - Reference specific bill numbers. Include basic information like what the legislation would do and how it would affect you and other people in the legislator's distict or state. Remind legislators how their actions affect your issue and your vote.

Be Legible - Clearly sign your name and include your address in the letter itself (envelopes with return address are routinely discarded). Type or print your letter rather than hand write it.

Be Supportive - Write thank you letters when a legislator supports your cause. Too often they get only "anti" or complaint letters. A thank-you will make you stand out and it will establish a more personal relationship with the legislator.

Don't Be a Pest - Don't become a constant "pen-pal." Legislative offices track who writes and how often. Avoid being seen as a constantly writing crank or malcontent: it will dilute your message.

"Canned" or form letters are okay, but not nearly as effective as a personal letter or email. Certainly they are easy to produce and send in. However, they lack personal touch and conviction. Legislators are more likely to discount form letters because they may show a lack of effort, and lack of effort can be translated into lack of interest.

Global Exchange
www.globalexchange.org

"Suggestions for Writing Personal Letters" taken from:
Global Exchange How to Organize Toolkit
www.globalexchange.org/getInvolved/howtoorganizetoolkit.pdf

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