Senator? What do I say?

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12-28-2012, 15:58
james_bond_007

How do I write a letter/email to my Congressman/Senator? What do I say?
Suggestions on "HOW" to structure a letter to your Congressman/Senator
Source: http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscong...rscongress.htm

Think Locally
It's usually best to send letters to the representative from your local Congressional District or the senators from your state. Your vote helps elect them -- or not -- and that fact alone carries a lot of weight. It also helps personalize your letter. Sending the same "cookie-cutter" message to every member of Congress may grab attention but rarely much consideration.

Keep it Simple
Your letter should address a single topic or issue. Typed, one-page letters are best. Many PACs (Political Action Committees) recommend a three-paragraph letter structured like this:
1. Say why you are writing and who you are. List your "credentials." (If you want a response, you must include your name and address, even when using email.)
2. Provide more detail. Be factual not emotional. Provide specific rather than general information about how the topic affects you and others. If a certain bill is involved, cite the correct title or number whenever possible.
3. Close by requesting the action you want taken: a vote for or against a bill, or change in general policy.
The best letters are courteous, to the point, and include specific supporting examples.

Addressing Members of Congress

To Your Senator:
The Honorable (full name)
(Room #) (Name) Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator:
To Your Representative:
The Honorable (full name)
(Room #) (Name) House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:
The above addresses should be used in email messages, as well as those sent through the Postal Service.

Finding Their Addresses (Regular and EMail)
Senate and House of Representatives
U.S. Senators for Colorado (web sites and mailing addresses)
OR (As of 28DEC12)
Bennet, Michael F. - (D - CO)
458 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5852
Web Form: www.bennet.senate.gov/contact/

Udall, Mark - (D - CO)
328 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5941
Web Form: www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=contact

Write Your U.S. Representative (A service of the House that will assist you by identifying your Congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives and providing contact information, by ZIPCODE)
or Look Here http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/CO

Write any others Elected Official (Best to enter your ZIPCODE rather than clicking on the state of Colorado in the map)
12-28-2012, 16:14
jgang

Brilliant! I could have figured it out on my own, but this makes it too easy. NONE of us has any excuse now. Many thanks for posting this. Do you mind if I share the "directions" on other boards?
12-28-2012, 16:28
Veritas

Thanks for this! Should help the rest of us knuckleheads out.
12-28-2012, 16:34
james_bond_007

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgang

... Do you mind if I share the "directions" on other boards?

The post is a collection of stuff I've found and condensed. I'd leave the "SOURCE" in, just to give credit where due.

Please post it wherever you think it might help with some "traction".
12-28-2012, 17:34
buckeye4rnr

Sounds great minus "The Honorable"... don't forget they work for us.
12-28-2012, 17:47
james_bond_007

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogman2121

Sounds great minus "The Honorable"... don't forget they work for us.

Protocol IS what it IS.

Governors are also addressed as "The Honorable" ...
But I'll bet they've "dropped" that for former Illinois Governors Rod Blagojevich and George Ryan.
Probably makes the other prisoners self-conscious.
[Coffee]
12-28-2012, 18:53
Big Wall

This should be a sticky.
12-28-2012, 19:24
koala0922

Good post. Again folks, remember this is a NUMBERS game with regards to keeping it simple. Don't laboriously argue a point or try to "convince" your rep you are correct. Just a simple message of asking them to vote against any new meaningless legislation is the point here.
01-02-2013, 02:28
james_bond_007

BTT
01-02-2013, 02:53
Goodburbon

I know they don't get read, so I just sent this.

"I am against any further gun control measures

You swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. Do so."
01-02-2013, 07:42
roberth

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodburbon

I know they don't get read, so I just sent this.

"I am against any further gun control measures

You swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. Do so."

I like that, short and to the point.
01-02-2013, 08:29
roberth

i wrote notes to Polis, Udall, and Bennet.
01-02-2013, 09:40
james_bond_007

Got An Automated Reply from Senator Bennet

Dear [007]:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the tragedy of the Newtown shooting. I appreciate hearing from you.
The unthinkable events which took place in Newtown, Connecticut are staggering. Like all Colorado families, my family was shocked and deeply saddened by the violence, and my heart is with the victims, their families and the entire state of Connecticut. As Coloradans, we know how this type of tragedy can shake a community to its core and in the aftermath of these abhorrent acts our priority should be on supporting the survivors and families, and healing our communities.

We must have a real discussion in this country about finding ways to stop these types of senseless shootings. While no one law is likely to prevent a deranged individual committed to taking life from doing so, we should have a comprehensive and civil conversation about finding the right and most effective solutions to protect our communities and particularly, our children. This includes exploring a number of areas, such as mental health services, violence in our culture, and a review of our gun laws.
A Sandy Hook Support Fund has been established by the Newtown government to provide the victims and their families with support services during this difficult time. You can access it at http://www.newtown-ct.gov/Public_Documents/index. In addition, if you or a loved one is having difficulty coping with recent tragedies, including those of Aurora and Newtown, the Disaster Stress Helpline can be reached at 1-800-985-5990 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Let us all continue to keep the communities of Newtown and Aurora in our thoughts and prayers.

I value the input of fellow Coloradans in considering the wide variety of important issues and legislative initiatives that come before the Senate. I hope you will continue to inform me of your thoughts and concerns.
For more information about my priorities as a U.S. Senator, I invite you to visit my website at http://bennet.senate.gov/. Again, thank you for contacting me.

Sincerely,
http://us-mg5.mail.yahoo.com/ya/down...d=YahooMailNeo
Michael F. Bennet
United States Senator

Please do not reply to this message. If you would like to send a message to Senator Bennet, please submit a form at http://bennet.senate.gov/contact. Thank you.
01-02-2013, 09:53
Goodburbon

Quote:

Originally Posted by james_bond_007

Dear [007]:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the tragedy of the Newtown shooting. I appreciate hearing from you.
The unthinkable events which took place in Newtown, Connecticut are staggering. Like all Colorado families, my family was shocked and deeply saddened by the violence, and my heart is with the victims, their families and the entire state of Connecticut. As Coloradans, we know how this type of tragedy can shake a community to its core and in the aftermath of these abhorrent acts our priority should be on supporting the survivors and families, and healing our communities.

We must have a real discussion in this country about finding ways to stop these types of senseless shootings. While no one law is likely to prevent a deranged individual committed to taking life from doing so, we should have a comprehensive and civil conversation about finding the right and most effective solutions to protect our communities and particularly, our children. This includes exploring a number of areas, such as mental health services, violence in our culture, and a review of our gun laws.
A Sandy Hook Support Fund has been established by the Newtown government to provide the victims and their families with support services during this difficult time. You can access it at http://www.newtown-ct.gov/Public_Documents/index. In addition, if you or a loved one is having difficulty coping with recent tragedies, including those of Aurora and Newtown, the Disaster Stress Helpline can be reached at 1-800-985-5990 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Let us all continue to keep the communities of Newtown and Aurora in our thoughts and prayers.

I value the input of fellow Coloradans in considering the wide variety of important issues and legislative initiatives that come before the Senate. I hope you will continue to inform me of your thoughts and concerns.
For more information about my priorities as a U.S. Senator, I invite you to visit my website at http://bennet.senate.gov/. Again, thank you for contacting me.

Sincerely,
http://us-mg5.mail.yahoo.com/ya/down...d=YahooMailNeo
Michael F. Bennet
United States Senator

Please do not reply to this message. If you would like to send a message to Senator Bennet, please submit a form at http://bennet.senate.gov/contact. Thank you.

Yep, that's what I got this morning too.