letter to representative assignment

Tips for Writing Effective Letters to Congress

Real letters are still the best way to be heard by lawmakers

Gage Skidmore/Flickr/ CC BY-SA 2.0

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B.S., Texas A&M University

People who think members of the U.S. Congress pay little or no attention to constituent mail are simply wrong. Concise, well thought out personal letters are one of the most effective ways Americans have of influencing their elected lawmakers.

Members of Congress get hundreds of letters and emails every day, so you will want your letter stand out. Whether you choose to use the U.S. Postal Service or email, here are some tips that will help you write a letter to Congress that has an impact.

Letter or Email?

Always send a traditional letter. While it is easier to send an email, and all Senators and Representatives now have email addresses, written letters get more attention and have more impact. The Senators and Representatives and their staffs get literally hundreds of emails every day. Emails from their constituents are mixed in with emails from fellow lawmakers and staff members and are thus easily overlooked or disregarded. In addition, taking the time to send a traditional, handwritten letter is the best way to show you “really care” about the issues you are addressing.

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.

It's also a good idea to think about the effectiveness of all of your communication options. For instance, a face-to-face meeting at an event, town hall, or the representative's local office can often leave the biggest impression.

That is not always an option though. Your next best bet for expressing your opinion is a formal letter, then a phone call to their office. While email is convenient and quick, it may not have the same influence as the other, more traditional, routes.

Finding Your Legislator's Address

There are a few ways that you can find the addresses of all of your representatives in Congress. The U.S. Senate is easy because each state has two Senators. Senate.gov has an easy to navigate directory of all current Senators. You will find links to their website, their email and phone number, as well as the address to their office in Washington D.C.

The House of Representatives is a little trickier because you need to search for the person representing your particular district within the state. The easiest way to do so is to type in your zip code under "Find Your Representative" at House.gov . This will narrow down your options but you may need to refine it based on your physical address because zip codes and Congressional districts do not coincide.

In both houses of Congress, the representative's official website will also have all the contact information you need. This includes the locations of their local offices.

Keep Your Letter Simple

Your letter will be more effective if you address a single topic or issue rather than a variety of issues you may feel passionate about. Typed, one-page letters are best. Many Political Action Committees (PACs) recommend a three-paragraph letter structured like this:

Say why you are writing and who you are. List your "credentials" and state that you are a constituent. It also doesn't hurt to mention if you voted for or donated to them. If you want a response, you must include your name and address, even when using email.
Provide more detail. Be factual and 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.
Close by requesting the action you want to be taken. It might be a vote for or against a bill, a change in general policy, or some other action, but be specific.

The best letters are courteous, to the point, and include specific supporting examples.

Proofread Your Letter

Always proofread your letter before mailing it. Read over it at least twice, checking for spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors. Make sure you have not repeated yourself, failed to make your points clearly, or left anything out. An error-free letter adds to your credibility.

Identifying Legislation

Members of Congress have a lot of items on their agendas, so it's best to be as specific as possible regarding your issue. When writing about a particular bill or piece of legislation, include the official number so they know exactly what you're referring to (it also helps your credibility).

If you need help in finding the number of a bill, use the Thomas Legislative Information System . Cite these legislation identifiers:

House Bills: "H.R. _____ "
House Resolutions: "H.RES. _____ "
House Joint Resolutions: "H.J.RES. _____ "
Senate Bills: "S. _____ "
Senate Resolutions: "S.RES. _____ "
Senate Joint Resolutions: "S.J.RES. _____ "

Addressing Members of Congress

There is also a formal way to address members of Congress. Use these headers to begin your letter, filling in the appropriate name and addresses for your Congressperson. Also, it's best to include the header in an email message.

To Your Senator :

The Honorable (full name) (room #) (name) Senate Office Building United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator (last name):

To Your Representative :

The Honorable (full name) (room #) (name) House Office Building United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative (last name):

Contact the U.S. Supreme Court

The Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court do not have email addresses, but they do read letters from citizens. You can mail letters using the address found on the SupremeCourt.gov website .

Key Things to Remember

Here are some key things you should always and never do when writing to your elected representatives.

Be courteous and respectful without "gushing."
Clearly and simply state the purpose of your letter. If it's about a certain bill, identify it correctly.
Say who you are. Anonymous letters go nowhere. Even in email, include your correct name, address, phone number, and email address. If you don't include at least your name and address, you will not get a response.
State any professional credentials or personal experience you may have, especially those pertaining to the subject of your letter.
Keep your letter short—one page is best.
Use specific examples or evidence to support your position.
State what it is you want to be done or recommend a course of action.
Thank the member for taking the time to read your letter.

What Not to Do

Just because they represent the voters does not mean that members of Congress are subject to abuse or belittlement. As impassioned as you may be about an issue, your letter will be more effective if it's written from a calm, logical perspective. If you're angry about something, write your letter then edit the next day to ensure you're conveying a courteous, professional tone. Also, make sure to avoid these pitfalls.

Do not use vulgarity, profanity, or threats. The first two are just plain rude and the third one can get you a visit from the Secret Service. Simply stated, don't let your passion get in the way of making your point.

Do not fail to include your name and address, even in email letters. Many representatives prioritize comments from their constituents and a letter in the mail may be the only way you receive a response.

Do not demand a response. You may not get one no matter what and demand is simply another rude gesture that does little for your case.

Do not use boilerplate text. Many grassroots organizations will send out a prepared text to people interested in their issue, but try not to simply copy and paste this into your letter. Use it as a guide to help you make the point and write the letter in your own words with your personal perspective. Getting thousands of letters that say the exact same thing can diminish the impact.

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Writing a Letter to a Member of Congress

Learning objectives.

Students will write a letter to a member of Congress about a specific issue.

Instructional Plan

Writing a Letter to a Member of Congress

Every state in the United States is represented by two senators and is divided into one or more congressional districts represented by a member of Congress who sits in the House of Representatives. Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, DC, have non-voting delegates in the House of Representatives and are not represented by senators.

Writing a letter to a member of Congress is a powerful means for you to actively engage in the democratic process and amplify your voice. This letter will serve as a direct form of communication between you as a constituent (anyone who lives in the district, whether or not they are a citizen or old enough to vote) and your elected representatives. It is intended to serve as a platform to express concerns, share perspectives, and advocate for specific policies or change.

Most communication is read by staff members, who tally up the issues raised and give the member of Congress they work for statistics on the issues. Adding your voice can raise the profile of your issue. Particularly well-written letters could get passed on to the member of Congress to read personally.

Sometimes members of Congress will respond, although often with a form letter.

Finding Your Representative

Members of Congress give much more weight to letters from their own constituents than to those coming from other districts or states.
Representatives generally serve a specific area of their state.
Senators serve the ENTIRE state—consider writing to both your senators AND your rep!
Ideally one page.
Members of Congress get a lot of mail.
Format the letter.
Use clear and simple language.
Provide specific examples and references to show you are well-informed.
Remember: members of Congress are there to represent you!

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

[Email Address]

[Phone Number]

The Honorable [Representative or Senators Name]

U.S. House of Representatives [or U.S. Senate]

[Office Address]

Subject: [Brief summary of the issue or topic]

Dear [Representative or Senator] [Last Name],

[Make Your Point - Identify yourself, the issue, and why this issue is important to you. If you are writing about a specific bill, mention it. Who or what do you represent? This is a chance to highlight that you are a constituent of the representative.]

[Make the Ask - what do you want your representative to do —vote a certain way, make sure a certain policy is included in a piece of legislation, or raise a certain issue? If applicable, suggest potential solutions or policy recommendations.]

Keep your letter short: pick your two or three best arguments.
If you have one, a personal story or description of a local impact can go a long way.

Thank you for your time and attention to this important issue. I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss this matter further, and I look forward to hearing about your stance and actions on [the issue] in the near future.

[Your Full Name]

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Section 1. Writing Letters to Elected Officials

Chapter 33 Sections

Section 2. Writing Letters to the Editor
Section 3. Criticizing Unfavorable Action
Section 4. Filing a Complaint
Section 5. Seeking Enforcement of Existing Laws or Policies
Section 6. Using Personal Testimony
Section 7. Lobbying Decisionmakers
Section 8. Establishing Lines of Communication with the Opposition's Traditional Allies
Section 9. Conducting a Petition Drive
Section 10. General Rules for Organizing for Legislative Advocacy
Section 11. Developing and Maintaining Ongoing Relationships with Legislators and their Aides
Section 12. Registering Voters
Section 13. Conducting a Public Hearing
Section 14. Organizing Public Demonstrations
Section 15. Seeking a Negotiator, Mediator, or Fact-Finder
Section 16. Initiating Legal Action
Section 17. Organizing a Boycott
Section 18. Organizing a Strike
Section 19. Using Social Media for Digital Advocacy
Section 20. Advocacy Over and For the Long Term

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Main Section

Learn how elected officials react to constituent communications, and how to create both printed and electronic communications to maximize reading and positive response.

What is a letter to an elected official?

By now you are probably looking for ways to get your issue noticed by people who have the power to help you. To get the best results, you will probably want to try several of the direct action methods discussed in this chapter. In this section, we will show you the best way to write a letter to your elected officials.

A well-written personal letter may be the most effective way to communicate with elected officials. They want to know how their constituents feel about issues, especially when those issues involve decisions made by them.

Your elected officials usually know what advocacy groups are saying about an issue, but they may not understand how a particular decision affects you. A well-written letter describing your experiences, observations, and opinions may help persuade an official in your favor.

Until a short time ago, you had two options if you wanted to contact an elected official: telephone and the mail. In the last several years, e-mail has been added and become the medium of choice. It’s fast, it gets read, and – at least in the U.S. – virtually all elected officials, from town councils to the President, use and welcome e-mail communication. Any guidelines for writing letters in this section – the style to use, the information to include – apply to e-mail as well. A letter to your Congressman, whether it’s sent through the post office or electronically, should be formal and as well-written as you can make it. A political communication, to be taken seriously, should send the message that you care enough about the subject to take some care in writing about it. In the days before e-mail, officials generally considered letters more important than phone calls, because they took more thought and effort. A proper e-mail letter carries the same message – this person has really thought about this, and has put some work into sending his opinion.

Why write to elected officials?

Maybe you're not convinced that writing a letter to your elected official is the best way to spend your time. There are several reasons it’s worth your while, including:

To explain to an official how a particular issue affects you or your group.
To express support for a proposed law, policy, or course of action.
To oppose a proposed law, policy, or course of action.

In any of the above cases, the letter may include information about the issue that the official may not have, or suggest an alternate course of action that she hasn’t previously heard about.

To demonstrate to an official that his constituents are aware of an issue and have a real interest in the outcome.
To inform an official about an issue or situation, giving background and history that she may not have.
To attempt to persuade an official to vote in a certain way on an issue, or to take other related action.
To build your reputation as a thoughtful person in the eyes of the officials, and thus make your criticism or support more influential, or to put yourself in the position of the person to be consulted when the official needs information about your issue.
To request a meeting to discuss the issue or some related matter of concern.
To thank an official for support given, or action taken.
To criticize an official for a past vote or action.
To put an official on notice that you and your group are watching his actions, and that he needs to take your votes into account at election time.
To ask an official to state her position on a particular issue, or to reveal her voting record.
To ask for help or support.

This type of letter often falls under the heading of “constituent support,” and concern individual problems with government – being denied military disability payments, for example, or being singled out for harassment by a local official. The reason it’s included in this list is that it can sometimes lead an official to work to change procedures, policies, or laws that discriminate against or make life harder for a whole class of people – veterans, farmers, widows, etc.. Another purpose of this type of letter is to enlist the official’s support in a community or larger initiative of some sort. This may be a request that he become a legislative champion for the effort, that he simply lend his name to the initiative’s list of public supporters or sponsors, or that he serve on a board or steering committee for the effort.

The letter may include information about the issue that the official may not have, or suggest an alternate course of action that she hasn’t previously heard about.

This type of letter often falls under the heading of “constituent support,” and concern individual problems with government – being denied military disability payments, for example, or being singled out for harassment by a local official. The reason it’s included in this list is that it can sometimes lead an official to work to change procedures, policies, or laws that discriminate against or make life harder for a whole class of people – veterans, farmers, widows, etc..

Another purpose of this type of letter is to enlist the official’s support in a community or larger initiative of some sort. This may be a request that he become a legislative champion for the effort, that he simply lend his name to the initiative’s list of public supporters or sponsors, or that he serve on a board or steering committee for the effort.

When should you write letters to elected officials?

When would you want to write that letter? Whenever an issue arises that concerns your group, but especially when:

You want an official to consider a certain action or policy (e.g., increasing funding for a program for senior citizens).
There is an upcoming vote on a policy that concerns your group. Letters are most effective when the vote is about to be taken. This is a good time to use e-mail.
You want to respond (positively or negatively) to a completed action or a change in policy (e.g., enacting a law that requires people to wear seatbelts).
You want to point out a deficiency or need in a particular area (e.g. more public transportation to the community health clinics, more police patrols through your neighborhood).
You need information (e.g. about what happened the last time a certain issue came up for a vote).
You need advice (how to approach another official, what kind of event will attract large numbers of officials to take notice, etc.). In this instance, you’d probably be writing to an official that you’ve already had positive contact with.

Another way to look at this question is to think about when a letter will have the most effect. There are particular times when letters are more likely to be carefully considered, and when officials are more likely to be responsive.

Just before an election. Most elected officials become extremely anxious to please when they’re running for reelection.
Right before an important vote. Officials will usually be receiving communication from many people on both sides of the issue when an important vote is coming up, so this is an especially crucial time to let your opinion be known.
Just before and in the midst of the budget process. One of the most important things that legislators, town councils, and some other bodies do is set the budget for the coming year. Whether your concern is local, regional, state or provincial, or nationwide, most of the coming year’s policy and action related to health and human services, the environment, public safety, education, transportation, and a number of other important issues is determined, not by laws, but by the amount of money allowed for them in the annual budget. If you have priorities for funding, now is the time to make them known.
Immediately after an official has done something you approve or disapprove of. There are two reasons why this communication should be immediate. The first is so that the action is still fresh in the official’s mind, and he can respond to your support or criticism. The second is that he will be hearing from folks on the other side, and he needs to know either that not everyone approves of his action, or that, regardless of all the negative letters, there are people out there who think he’s doing the right thing. Officials need to know who supports or objects to which of their positions. It can help them continue to work for the things you care about in the face of opposition, or can push them in that direction if they’re not doing it already.

The really crucial times to write this sort of letter are when an official is under attack for doing something you believe in – think of officials in the American South in the 1950’s and ‘60’s who supported racial integration – or has just done something outrageous – given out a billion-dollar contract in return for a huge bribe, for example. In either of these cases, the official needs to know either that you support her wholeheartedly, and will work to help her, or that you want her to resign now, and will work to have her prosecuted and jailed.

How do you write letters to public officials?

So how do you write letters to public officials, anyhow? We have a number of guidelines that should help you not only write the letter, but increase the chances that it will be actually read and taken seriously.

Decide on the recipient.

Get the name, title, and address of the official who will make the decision about your issue. Watch to make sure that all names are spelled correctly and that you have the proper address. An incorrect name counts against you. An incorrect address may mean your letter might not arrive at all.

If you’re concerned with politics or issues at all, you should make it your business to know the names and contact information (address, office phone, and e-mail) of all those who represent you, from the most local to the federal government. In the U.S., at least, you can get to know your representatives at any level of government if you make the effort. If you’re an activist, you may meet with them, or at least speak to them or their aides fairly regularly. If that’s the case, letters from you will be taken seriously.

Open the letter in an official manner.

If you are writing to an elected official, show respect for the position by using the title of the office, and the official's full name. In any other letter, use the familiar term "Dear," the title Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, or Dr., and the official's full name.

Example: January 5, 2008 Title [Name of Representative or Senator] House of Representatives [OR] U.S. Senate Office Address Washington, D.C. 20515

Explain the purpose for your letter.

Let your reader know immediately what your letter is about. Tell him/her why you are concerned or pleased that a particular decision is being considered.

Example: The proposed increase in the gasoline tax will make the cost of transportation unreasonably high for commuters in the metropolitan area.

Summarize your understanding of the issue/decision being considered.

State the general impact that you expect to occur if a particular decision is made.

Example: The creation of a peer-counseling program at our high school will help reduce the number of teen pregnancies in our community.

Explain your position on this issue.

Describe in detail why you feel the decision made will lead to the impact you foresee.

Example: This will provide opportunities for our high school students to discuss pressures they experience with their peers at this critical time in their lives.

Describe what any changes will mean to you, and to others.

Describe specifically the positive or negative effects the decision will have on you personally and on those you represent. The more people affected by the decision, the more convincing you may be.

Example: This program will help provide career opportunities for teenagers in our community.

Identify others who may be affected by this decision.

Tell the official which, and how many, people will be affected. Statistics can be very helpful here.

Example: A recent study showed that 80% of minors who smoke obtain cigarettes at stores that do not ask for any identification. Increased enforcement of the existing laws prohibiting tobacco sales to minors could significantly reduce the rate of smoking among our youth.

Acknowledge past support.

Mention appropriate actions and decisions the official has made in the past and express thanks for them.

Example: We appreciate your past support of the bill protecting the rights of emergency medical crews to not be tested for HIV.

Describe what action you hope the official will take.

State specifically what action you (and those you represent) hope the official will take--and by what date, if there is a deadline.

Example: We hope you realize the best course of action to protect our community's infants and young children is to vote "yes" to House Bill #689b.

If you have written a letter that opposes some action, offer an alternative.

Example: I believe that rather than increasing the number of police cars patrolling our neighborhood, a cheaper and more effective alternative would be to work with our community to develop a community-policing program.

If you have time and you are committed, ask how you can help

Example: Our group is more than willing to explore the various options in helping make our community a safer place to live.

Close and sign your letter.

Thank the official and sign your full name. Make sure your address, and phone number are included.

Check your letter for spelling and grammatical errors.

Correct spelling and grammar won't do the job by themselves, but they can help. Why not give your letter every possible advantage?

Letter-writing campaigns

So far, we’ve discussed individual letters. A letter-writing tactic that can be particularly effective is a letter-writing campaign, where dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of people write either to the same official (if they’re all in, or somehow represent people who are in, her district) or to many officials about a specific vote, policy, or budget item. This can be extremely effective, especially when the letter-writers are people who don’t usually contact their elected officials.

In Massachusetts, when funding for Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) was being debated in the state legislature, over a thousand ABE and ESOL students wrote letters to their representatives explaining why funding was important to them personally. At the same time, program staff and administrators, volunteers, and advocates wrote letters to their own representatives explaining why ABE and ESOL were important to their communities and to the state. The letters from students were particularly powerful, many of them explaining that a year or two earlier, they couldn’t have written those letters. It was the opportunity to enter an ABE or ESOL program that had made the difference. Legislators responded, and funding for adult education was significantly increased.

If you want to engage in a letter-writing campaign, you have to prepare properly. Many people, especially people who see themselves as powerless and unimportant, and who may have little education, are intimidated by the thought of writing to someone in power. In many countries, writing such a letter can carry a certain amount of economic, social, or physical risk. (After a State House rally in the same year as the letter-writing campaign described above, one ESOL student was overheard to remark, “In my country, they shoot you for this.”) Even in democracies governed by the rule of law, people may be fearful of being punished for speaking out.

In addition to reluctance based on feelings of fear and intimidation, many people affected by an issue – especially those with low levels of education – can be embarrassed by their poor writing skills, or feel that they don’t have anything convincing to say. They need help putting their letters together, and they need a model to go by. The coordinators of the letter-writing campaign should be aware of what they have to do to meet these needs.

First, the campaign should contact potential letter writers with a request for letters, and a simple but complete explanation of why the campaign is needed, and what the important issues relating to it are. People can’t write letters that make sense unless they understand clearly why they’re writing. The chances are that, while advocates can – and perhaps do – go over the politics of the issue in their sleep, most people affected by it know very little about how it plays out politically, or even about how the political system handles issues. The better they understand what’s happening and the specific job their letters are expected to do, the more persuasive the letters they can write.

Along with this, the campaign should provide one or more templates for letters. A template is a pattern for the letters, illustrating the form of the letter on the page, with the sender’s and recipient’s addresses and date in the appropriate places at the top, and a formal signature at the bottom, as well as a sample of the content of the letter.

A template literally means a cut-out pattern that is used to make several identical pieces of wood, metal, or some other material that are part of something larger. A builder might use a paper or wooden template to cut a number of identical rafters to hold up a roof, for example.

In general, people affected by the issue should include : A description of who they are – single working mother, person with a disability, job training participant, ex-Marine. The fact that they’re residents of the official’s district, or participants in a program in his district. What they want the official to do. Their connection to the issue – program participant, staff person, community volunteer, parent of a child with disabilities.

Anywhere from one sentence up to a paragraph or two explaining what the issue means to them and/or how it has affected them personally. For program participants and others affected by the issue, this is by far the most important part of the letter. Officials are more often swayed by personal stories than by impersonal statistics, no matter how telling those statistics may be. If people can explain how a program changed their lives for the better, or how the lack of services has been a barrier for them, it’s likely that officials will pay attention.

Finally, campaign coordinators should make sure that those for whom letter-writing is difficult have access to help. In the Massachusetts adult education campaign, that was easy: letters were often written as part of a class, and students approached them as writing assignments, completing two or three drafts before the letter was ready to be sent. In other situations, you’ll have to make sure that program staff and others are available to encourage and empower people, and to help them write the best letters they can.

Should you use e-mail?

With the speed and ease of delivery, it's common to use e-mail and send your correspondence via the computer. Doing so, particularly for formal letters, has several advantages:

It is much faster than normal mail. This also makes it possible for the official to respond much more quickly.
It saves the trouble of addressing an envelope, buying a stamp, and mailing your letter.
Electronic mail is less likely to get lost on the receiver's desk.

However, note that the last can also be a disadvantage . Unless the recipient goes through the trouble to print your message, it may be gone with one tap of the delete key – and out of mind as well. If you are going to use e-mail for your correspondence, be particularly clear and emphatic about your message from the beginning.

Writing letters to elected officials is a good way to explain how an issue affects you or your group. It also can build your reputation as a thoughtful person, giving you more influence with the people in power. A letter is also a good way to get your issue noticed by people who have the power to help you.

Online Resources

Action Tips provides information for communicating with public officials, and the webpage includes an example letter.

Contact Officials is a site provided by the United States government with links that give you contact information for the official you’re interested in contacting.

Early Childhood Advocacy Toolkit provides resources on framing your message and communicating with the media as well as policy makers and elected officials.

Effective E-mail Communication from the University of North Carolina provides tips on professional e-mail writing and communicating via e-mail.

How Do I Write an Effective Advocacy Letter? Is a webpage from the Hearing Loss Association of America, Delaware Chapters, and it provides information specific to drafting advocacy letters to elected officials.

10 Tips provides 10 tips on effectively communicating with legislators to make your message stand out to them.

Writing Your Elected Official is a guide provided by the Children’s Defense Fund, and it provides information on effectively communicating with elected officials.

Print Resources

Bates, D. J.(1985). Writing with precision . Washington, DC: Acropolis.

Fitch, B. (2010). Citizen’s Handbook to Influencing Elected Officials: Citizen Advocacy in State Legislatures and Congress: A Guide for Citizen Lobbyists and Grassroots. The Capitol Net, Inc. This book offers practical guidance for reaching elected officials with a variety of different communication strategies.

Homan, M.(1994). Promoting community change: Making it happen in the real world . Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks-Cole Publishing Co.

Managing correspondence--Plain letters, [available from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, DC: 20402]

Roman,K., & Raphaelson, J. (1992). Writing that works . New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Seekins, T., & Fawcett, S. The Research and Training Center on Independent Living.(1984). A guide to writing letters to public officials: Contributing to important decisions affecting you and others. University of Kansas.

Stonecipher, H. (1979). Editorial and persuasive writings: Opinion functions of the news media . New York, NY: Hastings House.

Write a letter to your legislator

A letter or email is the most popular choice of communication with a congressional office. The more personalized it is, the more your opinion will be taken into account. A handwritten letter has more weight than a typed letter, which has more weight than an email. The longer it takes you to write the letter, the more value it has to your representative.

Step 1: Identify your members of Congress

The email and physical addresses of your elected officials are available on their websites. You can find out who represents you on the House and Senate websites.

Step 2: Prepare your message

The first paragraph of your letter should state your position/request/reason for writing. If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it accordingly, e.g., H.R. 1234 (for a House resolution) or S.B. 234 (for a Senate bill). Be courteous and to the point and include evidence to support your position. Address only one issue in each letter and, if possible, keep the letter to one page. You may ask for a response from your official.

Sample congressional letter

Date The Honorable ________ Office Address United States House of Representatives/United State Senate City, State, Zip Dear Representative/Senator ______________: As a scientist and a constituent, I urge you to support an increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health, bringing funding to at least $XX billion for the next fiscal year. NIH research is the foundation for future medical breakthroughs that will save lives and money. The federal government’s investment in research must be sustained in order to translate today’s scientific findings into tomorrow’s bedside treatments. NIH funding supports my research on (insert a summary of your research and its potential benefits). Recent discoveries, such as those listed below, are a direct result of robust funding for the NIH. The death rate for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S., has dropped 60% since 1940. NIH research on the underlying molecular causes of cancer has helped to cut cancer deaths. In 2007, for the first time in history, the number of cancer deaths in the U.S. decreased. In the 1950s, one in five people died within 20 years of diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. Today, that diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. Those with Type 1 diabetes are living longer and healthier lives. The money invested in NIH research is redistributed to communities across the nation, including our district/state, creating jobs and stimulating the local economy. In my lab, we have (insert the number of current and/or former technicians, postdocs and students) who are learning the technical and intellectual skills required for future discoveries, treatments and cures. A federal investment in basic research is an investment in the health and economic future of our nation. Please make biomedical research a higher priority by continuing to invest in the NIH. Thank you for your consideration, and please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss this issue further. Sincerely, Your Name Your Title Your Address Your City, State, Zip Your Phone Number

Step 3: Send your letter

Ensure that the addresses and names are correct, and then send your letter.

Call your legislator

How to find your legislator's number, and what to say.

Dos and donts for communicating with legislators

Helpful tips to make your meetings effective.

Download the guide to advocating for science

Meet with your legislators in person

Communicating directly with your elected officials is an important way to make your voice heard.

Prepare a lab tour for your legislators

Hosting a member of Congress at your institution is an excellent way to demonstrate the importance of federal funding for scientific research.

Write a letter to the editor

A letter to the editor of your local newspaper can be very effective at increasing public awareness of an issue important to your community.

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Writing your Elected Representatives

Tips on Writing to Your Elected Officials

Letters and faxes are an extremely effective way of communicating with your elected officials. Many legislators believe that a letter represents not only the position of the writer but also many other constituents who did not take the time to write.

These tips will help increase the effectiveness of your letter:

Keep it brief: Letters should never be longer than one page, and should be limited to one issue. Legislative aides read many letters on many issues in a day, so your letter should be as concise as possible.

State Who You Are and What You Want Up Front: In the first paragraph, tell your legislators that you are a constituent and identify the issue about which you are writing. If your letters pertains to a specific piece of legislation, it helps to identify it by its bill number (e.g. H.R. ____ or S. _____).

Hit your three most important points: Choose the three strongest points that will be most effective in persuading legislators to support your position and flesh them out.

Personalize your letter: Tell your elected official why this legislation matters in his community or state. If you have one, include a personal story that shows how this issue affects you and your family. A constituent's personal stories can be the very persuasive as your legislator shapes his or her position.

Personalize your relationship: Have you ever voted for this elected official? Have you ever contributed time or money to his or her campaign? Are you familiar with her through any business or personal relationship? If so, tell your elected official or his staff person. The closer your legislator feels to you, the more powerful your argument is likely to be.

You are the Expert: Remember that your legislator's job is to represent you. You should be courteous and to the point, but don't be afraid to take a firm position. Remember that often your elected official may know no more about a given issue than you do.

You can get the contact information for your Members of Congress at Congress.org .

Stay Informed

Communicating With Congress: Writing Letters

NCFR’s Global Ends, in relation to policy, state that “NCFR will provide information about the policymaking process” to NCFR members and “will raise the visibility of family research, theory, and practice to policymakers.” One method of attaining both of these Global Ends is to provide you, NCFR members, tools to communicate with Congress—or any person involved in the policymaking process from the local to the federal levels. The provision of advocacy tools also emerged as one of the top resources most important for NCFR to provide in support of members’ advocacy work, according to survey respondents (NCFR Board of Directors, 2017; bit.ly/ncfrpolicysurvey2 ).

Communicating with Congress can be an effective method for educating, advocating, and lobbying for issues about which you are passionate. There are several ways to communicate with Congress, from meeting individually in person, attending town-hall meetings, testifying in committee, calling, emailing, writing letters, and more. The purpose of this article is to provide tips in one such area: writing letters. Resources to help you communicate with Congress through other means are provided at the end of this article.

Finding Your Representative

An initial task when writing a letter to your representative in Congress is to determine who your elected officials are. One method for determining who represents you is to locate your representatives on the House of Representatives website ( house.gov ) and on the U.S. Senate website ( senate.gov ):

To locate your House representative, enter your zip code in the “Find Your Representative” search box in the upper-right-hand corner of the web page. You may be redirected to a second page asking for your street address. You can also find a list of all your states’ representatives by clicking on your state in the “View Representative by State” interactive map.
To locate the senator who represents you, click on your state in the “Find Your Senator” box in the upper-left-hand corner of the web page.

Learning About Your Representative

Knowing more about your representative will help you to be more effective in your communication. The Consortium of Social Science Association (COSSA, 2017), of which NCFR is a member, recommends that you identify the committees on which your representatives serve. You can find that information, as well as mailing and email addresses, through representatives’ individual websites. To avoid spam, your representative may require use of an email submission form (American Association for the Advancement of Science [AAAS], 2011).

Writing Your Letter

Letters can be sent through traditional mail or as an email. Congressional staff track the number of letters received on various issues. Traditionally, mailed letters are more likely to receive a response, although it may be a form letter. COSSA (2017) recommends the following tips to help write your letter:

Planning “ahead of time what you want to say and how to say it will make your advocacy most effective” (p. 9).
Know your “ask”—that is, what you want your representative to do. For example, do you want her or him to increase funding for Family Science research? Recognize Certified Family Life Educators as appropriate providers? Vote yes or no on a specific bill? The ask should be a prominent part of your letter.
Explain the why — that is, why this issue is important and why the representative should take the action you are requesting. Two important elements to include in this explanation are research related to the issue and the financial implications of your ask (e.g., return on investment). It is perfectly acceptable to include your own research on the issue. Be sure to also include stories or anecdotes of how your research relates to real life.
Keep it local—explain how your ask relates to your representative’s state, district, or constituency.
Be succinct—your letter shouldn’t be longer than two pages, with one page being the preferred length.

AAAS (2011), of which NCFR is an affiliated member, recommends the following when writing to Congress:

Identify yourself as a constituent—that is, that you live in the district your representative was elected to represent—it increases the chances that your letter will be read. However, one exception is when writing to members of a committee about legislation the committee is discussing. Also include your job title, credentials, affiliation, and your professional or scientific expertise.
Be brief, clear, and courteous—congressional staffers and members receive hundreds of communications daily: “Brevity, clarity, and courtesy are the most important qualities for effective interactions” (p. 46). Each letter should address a single topic. While brevity is important, it is also important to adequately explain the issue.
Send individual emails to representatives—if sending the same email to multiple people, it is best to send each email individually. Sending a mass email is more likely to be deleted.
Address the letter to your representative, even if it is the legislator’s staff who will read the letter.
Send your letter to your representative’s office in Washington, DC.
Use plain, understandable language and avoid jargon.

AAAS’s Top 10 Rules for Working With Congress

Know your goal.
Understand how Congress works and makes decisions.
Conduct detailed background research
Use your knowledge of the legislative process to determine the timing of your course of action.
Be clear and succinct.
Understand congressional staff and their influence.
Provide concrete suggestions.
Present support of science as a means to meet national and local goals, not an entitlement.
Be willing to say, “I don’t know.”
Follow up appropriately.

Note: For a discussion of each of these points, see the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2011, pp. 50–55).

Formatting the Letter

Start your letter with the date and your name and address. Follow this by your representative’s name and address in Washington, DC. Be sure to address your representative as “The Honorable” followed by his or her full name.

Next, provide a salutation such as “Dear Representative [First and Last Name]” or “Dear Senator [First and Last Name].”

The main body of the letter follows. A one-page letter typically consists of three paragraphs:

Paragraph 1 includes personal information, such as identifying oneself as a constituent, your scientific or professional expertise, and your ask. Your reason for writing (i.e., issue, bill) should be clearly detailed and concrete.
Paragraph 2 describes the facts, such as the research and finances (e.g., return on investment) related to the issue. You do not need to include a list of references, but it is OK to refer to specific experts in text. This is a great place to include your own research, anecdotes from the legislator’s district or state, and your argument for why your representative should follow through with your ask.
Paragraph 3 concludes the letter with your call to action. Remind your legislator of your ask. Remember to be specific. Feel free to offer your expertise should the representative want more information and include how to contact you. You can request a response. Thank your representative for considering your request.

End the letter with a closing, your name, credentials, title, and times you are available to be reached.

The body of your letter can certainly include more paragraphs. Remember, though, that a one-page, clearly written letter is best.

Additional Information

If you send your letter through traditional mail, it can take two to four weeks to reach your representative because of security screenings (AAAS, 2011). Emailing or calling your representative may be a better method when the issue is urgent.
Signed form letters may not reach your representatives or their staffers; the letters may be thrown away or caught by a spam filter, if emailing.
Be careful of how often you write your legislator. Sending letters too often is not regarded well.
Send a thank-you note to your legislator when she or he does what was requested: “This is a powerful incentive for the member to pay attention to future communication” (AAAS, 2011, p. 63).
Many examples of letters can be found online and in some of the additional resources linked below.

If you find yourself writing letters to your representatives or if you desire to be more involved with them, consider other means of communicating with them. Introduce yourself, develop a relationship with your legislator, and serve as a resource for him or her. The resources provided here also include multiple communication methods and tips. I encourage you to (re)read Tips for Working With Legislators (Crosswhite, 2015b) and Policy Advocacy or Policy Education: How to Impact Family Policy (Crosswhite, 2015a) to determine your preferred approach for working with legislators and how to build a relationship with her or him.

A final word of encouragement—when I taught family policy as a professor prior to working with NCFR, I taught my students how to write letters to their legislators. Students could choose to whom they would write the letter, including to local-level officials. I remember one student was very upset about a school policy and decided to write the local school district. Through effective communication, research, following the recommendations presented here, and being polite, the student was able to change the school policy.

American Association for the Advancement of Science. (2011). Working with Congress: A scientist’s guide to policy . Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from https://www.aaas.org/resources/working-congress-scientists-guide-policy

Consortium of Social Science Association (COSSA). (2017). COSSA handbook for social & behavioral science research advocacy. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.cossa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/COSSA-Advocacy-Handbook.pdf

Crosswhite, J. (2015a). Policy advocacy or policy education: How to impact family policy. NCFR Report, 60 ( 1 ) , 9–11.Retrieved from www.ncfr.org/ncfr-report/past-issues/spring-2015/family-science-report-policy-advocacy-or-policy-education-how-impact-famil

Crosswhite, J. (2015b). Tips for working with legislators. NCFR Report, 60 ( 4 ) , 8–9. Retrieved from www.ncfr.org/ncfr-report/past-issues/winter-2015/family-science-report-tips-working-legislators

NCFR Board of Directors. (2017). Findings of NCFR member public policy survey 2: Moving forward. NCFR Report, 62 ( 3 ), 1, 18–19. Retrieved from www.ncfr.org/ncfr-report/fall-2017/policy-survey-2 .

Additional Resources

American Psychological Association. (2014). A psychologist’s guide to federal advocacy. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, Education Government Relations Office & Public Interest Government Relations Office. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/advocacy/guide/federal-guide.pdf

Lobberecht, M. (2011). Tips for public policy involvement. Retrieved from https://www.ncfr.org/sites/default/files/tips_for_public_policy_involvement_book.pdf

Family Science is a vibrant and growing discipline. Visit Family.Science to learn more and see how Family Scientists make a difference.

NCFR is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose members support all families through research, teaching, practice, and advocacy.

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Future of History / Writing in Social Studies

What Students Can Learn by Writing to Politicians

by Sarah Cooper · Published 02/10/2020 · Updated 03/23/2020

A MiddleWeb Blog

For the first two years that my U.S. history and civics students wrote these letters, though, I didn’t quite hit the mark with my directions.

The first year, the eighth graders did the letters just before summer break, and so they didn’t get to share with the class any responses they received. Even though we linked the assignment to Abraham Lincoln’s speeches from our Civil War unit and Harper Lee’s prose style from To Kill a Mockingbird , it felt somehow anticlimactic.

The second time around went better, as the culmination of our fall Constitution unit, but we still didn’t get back as many letters back as I’d hoped, maybe 10 percent. Students often wrote not to their own representatives but to other politicians who had sponsored interesting bills, which I think lowered the response rate.

This year, I vowed that the letters would be as targeted as possible to ensure that we received the most responses, and the drafts perked up for a number of reasons. Here’s what I’ve learned over three years about helping students produce the meatiest missives:

1. Go interdisciplinary with the topics.

At our school, eighth graders do a Community Impact Project , in which they design individual projects that help the community and then measure their impact. This year, at the suggestion of the science teacher who supervises the projects, I required students to write their letters about a related topic. The connection could be precise or more general, as stated in the directions:

For instance, if you are doing a sports clinic for kids at the local Boys & Girls Club, you could choose a directly related topic by writing about something you think the Boys & Girls Club (or organizations like it) needs from the government.

Alternately, you could choose a broadly related topic by doing research on, for example, the availability of sports fields in various communities, or funding for women’s versus men’s sports programs.

Students posted the letters, along with any response from the politician, on their Community Impact Project boards at our school’s annual STEAM & Service Fair. As a result, the assignment felt authentic in two ways: first, the politician’s office would read the letter, and, second, parents and peers would see the letters on display.

2. Base letters on a bill, if possible.

This year, before doing any writing or outlining, students took most of a 77-minute block period to explore bills and articles related to their topic. Although I didn’t require them to find a specific bill, because I wasn’t sure everyone would be able to, I strongly encouraged them to give it a try. Helpful sites included Govtrack.us for national bills and the California legislature site for state proposals.

During this research period, I was thrilled and surprised to see students, even those who are not the strongest readers, trying to understand what a bill was saying so that they could address its points in their letters. They also became keenly interested in where the bill was in the process: whether it had already passed, was stuck in committee, or lay somewhere in-between.

If a bill had already passed, I encouraged these middle schoolers to write to their representative urging more such bills to be passed in the future. And all of a sudden, the bill “dying in committee” in the iconic Schoolhouse Rock video seemed a little less funny to them than it had the week before!

Next year I would build in time for students to discuss with a partner, mid-period, what they had researched and see if their partner could help them make sense of it.

3. Find the best people to whom to address the letters.

Usually the “best person” ended up being one of five people:

• One of the two U.S. senators for our state • The U.S. House representative for the student’s district • The California State Assembly member for the student’s district • The California State Senator for the student’s district

If students found another politician who did not represent their district or state, they could write to that person, but I cautioned that the likelihood of a response was not as strong. They could also choose to write to anyone else – in the U.S. Cabinet, Supreme Court, or elsewhere – who might be interested in their topic.

Some students took the job of finding the right person especially seriously. For example, Julia wrote to the governor of California encouraging him to appoint a poet laureate who would promote poetry to children. Sienna chose the California secretary of state because she wanted to increase voter registration, and Evan and Kazuma selected the state superintendent of public instruction to contact about school supplies and Walk to School Day.

4. Relate the project explicitly to how Congress and state legislatures work.

At times students thought they were looking at the page of their California assembly member when, in fact, they were looking at their U.S. House member. Correcting this misconception helped them understand the roughly parallel structures of the U.S. Congress and the state legislatures. And I was thrilled to come up with a metaphor on the spot one day – that there are 50 “baby Congresses,” one for each U.S. state!

5. Give detailed advice and models for writing the letters.

This site with tips for writing letters to Congress is practical and realistic. There are also many sample letters to politicians online, such as this brief three-paragraph version from the American Library Association or this longer letter from the National Coalition for the Homeless .

In addition, here are the guidelines and calendar I created for the entire project, which gave a week’s worth of time to research and write in class. Feel free to adapt this for your own use if you find it helpful.

6. Proofread the drafts thoroughly so that students can be proud of their work.

Last year I made the mistake of reading only the final drafts of students’ letters – and only after we had mailed off a copy of the final draft to the politician. When I then marked errors on the copy I was grading, some students understandably felt embarrassed that the other copy was already in the mail. Oops!

This year I built in time for me to proofread and give suggestions for rough drafts on Google Docs, including during one class period while my students were watching Episode 3 of the fantastic Constitution USA series by Peter Sagal. As always, when I make comments on rough drafts , I feel much more confident that I am helping students improve their writing and thinking skills.

Another option, if grading all of these drafts seems prohibitive, is to create a “committee” of students who love to copy edit (there are always a few!) and ask them to do a quick once-over of the letters while their classmates are doing something else. Students did do peer response, as we usually do, but the quality of feedback varied enough that I wanted to make sure I saw every draft.

Having a Voice in the World

In an anonymous online midyear survey that I often ask students to fill out in December, so that I can course correct as needed for second semester, many students mentioned that they enjoyed writing this letter to a politician.

One eighth grader connected the assignment to our Constitution unit, especially the Bill of Rights: “I enjoyed writing a letter to a politician because it really exercised our rights (stated in the First Amendment) as a U.S. citizen.”

Another said: “I liked the politician letter a lot. It taught me how to write a formal letter and made me feel like I had a voice in the world.”

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WTO / Letters and Emails / Authorization / Letter of Authorization to Represent: How to Write (Samples)

Letter of Authorization to Represent: How to Write (Samples)

A Letter of Authorization to Represent is a written document through which an individual grants another person the power to act on their behalf or carry out specific tasks. This type of letter is particularly useful in situations where you need someone else to represent you, whether it’s for business dealings or personal matters, especially when you are unable to handle those tasks yourself.

The letter of authorization outlines key details such as the authorized representative’s identity, the scope of activities they are permitted to undertake, the duration of their representation, and any limitations to their authority.

An authorization letter to represent is commonly used in the following situations:

Granting a third-party access to your bank account.
Allowing a representative to access your medical records for healthcare purposes, or for picking up sensitive documents.
Empowering an individual to act on your behalf in business transactions that you cannot personally oversee due to urgency or geographical constraints.
Enabling your colleague to take on your work responsibilities in your absence.
Transferring decision-making authority to a childcare provider for basic emergency medical decisions.

Sample Letters

Great Downloadable Insurance Claim Authorization Letter Sample for Word File

Writing a Letter of Authorization to Represent

Drafting an authorization letter to represent necessitates the inclusion of specific particulars related to the representation. The purpose for such authorization can vary depending on the circumstances. However, the overall structure is typically consistent for most letters of authorization to represent.

Outlined below is a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to structure your letter when designating someone to represent you in an official capacity:

Section 1: Heading

The first item on the letter of authorization to represent is the header. This section is meant to provide the details of the sender and the recipient. This information can be captured as follows:

Write your name and address (1st party)

Start by stating your full legal name. This should be followed by your mailing address which must indicate the street address, name of the city, state, and ZIP code. Each piece of information should be allocated its own line. This information is used for identification purposes and future correspondence. It’s important to adhere to left-aligned formatting and single-spacing in accordance with standard business letter conventions.

Specify the date

Afterward, indicate the date when the letter was written. Including the date is essential for record-keeping, particularly if the letter needs to be documented.

Include recipient’s details (2nd party)

The letter should then present the recipient’s identification information. This includes their name and mailing address. It’s crucial to note that the letter of authorization isn’t directed toward the authorized party; rather, it is addressed to the second party (individual or entity) with whom the transaction is being conducted.

Write the salutation

Concluding the header section involves formulating a formal salutation. Ensure to use appropriate titles when addressing the recipient, for example, Dear Mr, Mrs, or Ms, followed by the recipient’s last name. Alternatively, you can use “To” instead of “Dear.” Additionally, ensure to include the recipient’s specific name and title. For generic authorization letters, the salutation “To Whom It May Concern” is suitable. When incorporating titles, avoid using first names. For example, write “ Dear Dr. May ” instead of “ Dear Dr. Ashley May .”

Section 2: Introduction

Following the header, provide a brief and clear introduction that identifies the parties involved in the authorization. Outline this information as follows:

Briefly state your authorization

Start by introducing yourself and additional information regarding the transaction or activity you want to be completed by the representative.

Verify the identity of the person being authorized (3rd party)

Next, declare the person you are appointing as your representative. State their full name in a clear and concise manner.

Section 3: Body

The content of a letter of authority to represent should be direct and concise, devoid of unnecessary information.

The following details must be included in the letter:

Specify the authorized tasks and scope

Clearly outline the specific actions you are granting authorization for the designated party to undertake. Utilize explicit language to outline these responsibilities. This prevents any cases of misinterpretation.

Specify the authorization timeframe

The letter should then outline the first and last day of representation. Ensure to provide the complete date, including the day, month, and year. A predefined timeframe is often required so as to limit the representative’s authority to perform the specified actions within a given period. If the authorization letter is to be used in emergency cases, you can state the validity period.

State reasons for representation

After the dates, briefly mention why you are transferring your authority to undertake a certain action to someone else. Again, the reason can be mentioned briefly without delving into details.

Explain restrictions, if any

If you want to limit the representatives’ authority, duties, and responsibilities, indicate the extent of their authority. Also, clearly specify actions they are not allowed to undertake.

Add a call to action

To conclude the body section, provide your contact information and a CTA (call to action) for inquiries or clarifications. Make it known that the recipient is encouraged to reach out should they have any concerns or questions regarding the letter of authorization to represent.

Section 4: Conclusion

Lastly, a formal conclusion should be provided. The following information can be included in the conclusion:

Conclude the letter of authorization to represent with a formal and courteous complimentary close, such as “Sincerely Yours.”

Add signatures

Both parties—the authorizing entity and the designated representative—should append their respective signatures at the bottom of the document. The signatures must be placed adjacent to the corresponding names, accompanied by the date of signing.

Notarize your letter

It is advisable to sign the document in the presence of a notary public or any other witness. This gives the document more credibility and preempts any challenges to the legitimacy of the document.

Do’s and Don’ts

When writing an authorization letter to represent, your goal should be to clearly communicate your precise intent to appoint a representative in a brief, accurate, and efficient manner. Below are the key points to keep in mind when you start writing the letter.

The do’s for writing a letter of authorization to represent are as follows:

Write a formal letter

The letter should be written in a business format. This is characterized by a block format, single spacing, no indentation on all paragraphs, and clear separation between paragraphs using blank lines. Additionally, the sender’s details and date, as well as the recipient’s information and salutation, should also be separated with a blank line.

The letter should be typed or printed

The letter of authority to represent should be typed and subsequently printed for signing. Typed and printed letters are more professional and legible than hand-written letters.

Be direct and to the point. Letters of authority to represent should remain concise, effectively conveying relevant information in a straightforward manner. Typically, one page is sufficient to document all necessary details.

Give the original letter to proxy

The original copy of the authorization letter should be given to the representative or proxy. This is because they would be required to present it when performing the specified obligations. However, keep a copy of the document for yourself.

They include the following:

Don’t be demanding; rather, be authoritative

The tone you adopt holds significance in authorization letters. Employ a formal yet authoritative tone. Choose language that is respectful and polite while conveying instructions.

Don’t forget to proofread the letter

Proofread the letter for grammatical and spelling mistakes before printing it out and before issuing it. Make appropriate corrections to ensure you send an error-free authorization letter.

Do not miss any important detail

Ensure that you include all relevant details regarding the representation. Before writing out the final draft, always review the letter and include any missing information.

Frequently Asked Questions

A letter of authorization to represent typically involves three key parties. These parties include the original rights holder (also referred to as the first party or authorizing party), the second party is engaged in the transaction or interaction with the first party, and finally, the representative (commonly known as the proxy or third party) who is entrusted with carrying out specific actions on behalf of the first party.

Yes, an authorization letter to represent holds legal weight. If both the first and third parties sign the letter in the presence of a credible witness, such as a notary public, the letter can serve as admissible evidence in a court of law.

To introduce the required modifications to the authorization letter, you must draft a new letter that incorporates the pertinent changes. It’s essential to ensure that the updated letter is notarized as well, as this reinforces its legal validity and enforceability.

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Letter to Representative.docx

How to Address a Representative, Congressman or Congresswoman

——– Also on this Page: How to Address a Congressman Congresswoman -V— —- Member of Congress-Elect —V- —- Former Member of Congress V—- —- With a Doctorate –V– —- And Spouse

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives How to Address a Representative How to Address a Congressman or Congresswoman

—- Envelope or address block on an email: ——– The Honorable (Full Name) ——– (Room) (Name of House Office Building) ——– United States House of Representatives ——– Washington, DC 20515

—- Official envelope as chairman of a committee or subcommittee: ——– The Honorable (Full Name) ——– Chairman ——– (Committee or subcommittee name) ——– (Address) —-———-—- or —————- The Honorable (Full Name) —————- Chair —————- (Committee or subcommittee name) —————- (Address)

—- Letter salutation: ——– Dear Mr./Ms./etc. (Surname): ——————- See NOTE below —–— Congressman (Surname): —–— Congresswoman (Surname): —–— Representative (Surname):

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

NOTE ON HONORIFICS: It surprises many that the first option for a salutation when addressing a member of the U.S. House of Representatives is Mr./Ms. (Surname) rather than Congressman (Surname), Congresswoman (Surname) and Representative (Surname) . Congressman, Congresswoman and Representative are in fact less formal honorifics. {Note: There have been some members of the House who hold a doctorate and might prefer Dr. to Mr./Ms. If you know that is their preference, of course, use it. But others will say being a member of the House so outranks holding even a high academic/professional degree they prefer the standard forms of address all other members use.}

Members often prefer Congressman (Surname), Congresswoman (Surname) or Representative (Surname). I’d describe it as a practice which emphasizes the office held in a way Mr./Ms. (Surname) does not.

RE: Congressman and Congresswoman: Purists say that since ‘Congress’ is comprised of two bodies – the Senate and the House of Representatives – members of both houses are technically ‘Congressmen’. But in the public’s mind Congressman/Congresswoman identify members of the House.

WHAT TO DO? If you know the Member prefers Congressman/Congresswoman (Surname) or Representative (Surname) – use their preferred form in conversation. Often you can find out their preference by looking at the banner on their website. Typically they present their name there using one of the three honorifics.

But back to formal correspondance – in writing it’s the Honorable (Full Name) and in a salutation as Mr. (Name) or Ms. (Name) as noted above.

Sorry for this long note!

— Robert Hickey

BELOW: Note how on Capitol Hill members (seated behind their committee name plates) are Mr./Ms./Mrs. (Surname) How to Address a Congressman Congresswoman How to Address a Congressman Congresswoman

How to Address a US Representative-Elect?

How would I address someone elected to the House of Representatives, but not yet sworn in? —————- – Mike

Dear Mike, A representative-elect is addressed in writing as:

—- Official envelope: —- —- The Honorable (Full Name) —- —- (Address)

—- And in conversation as … —- —- Mr./Ms./etc. (Surname)

Officials become the Honorable once elected. In conversation or a salutation use the honorific to which they are entitled prior to taking office.

They will be addressed orally or in a salutation as ‘Congressman/woman (Surname)’ or ‘Representative (Surname)’ once they have taken the oath of office.

– Robert Hickey How to Address a Congressman Congresswoman

Forms of Address: How a conversation begins can have a huge impact on how the conversation - even the entire relationship - develops.

How to Address a Former Member of the US House of Representatives?

I am meeting one of our former congressional Representatives next week, and I am wondering if it is still appropriate to address them as ‘Congressman’ or ‘Representative’, even though they have been voted out of office? ——————– – Peter Michaels

Dear Mr. Michaels,

The short answer is: Former members continue to be in writing ‘the Honorable (Full Name)’ but in conversation or a salutation go back to the honorific to which they were entitled prior to taking office. Typically Mr./Ms./Dr./etc.

More detail includes:

—— #1) In writing they continue to be ‘the Honorable’. The rule is – once an honorable, always an honorable – unless removed from office something ugly or resigning in disgrace.

—— #2) Formally in official situations they are orally addressed in a salutation and conversation as ‘Mr./Ms./etc. (Name)’. However, in practice, in social situations many will informally, casually, continue to use the honorifics ‘Congressman’ ‘Congresswoman’ or ‘Representative’. As long as there’s no possibility anyone present might be led to believe they were the current office holder it does not cause much problem.

—— #3) Former members are addressed with neither ‘ the Honorable’ nor ‘Congressman’ ‘Congresswoman’ or ‘Representative’ when in new role such as legal counsel, lobbyist or agent for a private enterprise. In those situations, addressing as a private citizen is appropriate: ‘Mr./Ms./etc. (Name)’. Much like retired military officers – if former officials are in a new job, they should be addressed in a way supported by their new job – and not with the forms they enjoyed when they were a government official.

– Robert Hickey How to Address a Congressman Congresswoman How to Address a Congressman Congresswoman

How To Address a Member of the US House of Representatives with Degrees?

We need the correct salutation for a congressman who may not have a formal Ph.D.– but who has about 45 honorary degrees. —— —— —— —— —— – Nancy Calvin

Dear Ms. Calvin, Address in writing and orally as a member of the House. The correct form appears at the top of this page. Include no mention of the honorary degrees with the name and do not address as ‘Dr. (Name)’.

Honorary degrees are ‘honors’, they are not ‘degrees’ Honorary degrees are mentioned on the CV/resume under ‘honors’. In a complete introduction, honorary degrees might be noted but they are never part of the name.

For more on use of honorary degrees see Honorary Degrees .

– Robert Hickey How to Address a Congressman How to Address a Congresswoman How to Address a Representative How to Address a Congressman Congresswoman

Related Posts: — —- — Acting — —- — Candidate for Office — —- — Deceased — —- — Designate — —- — Elect — —- — Former — —- — The Honorable, Use of — —- — Interim — —- — The Late, Use of — —- — Nominee — —- — Pro Tempore — —- — Retiree

Related Posts: — — – — Couples: Private Citizens — — – — Couples: Christian Clergy — — – — Couples: Rabbis — — – — Couples: Military — — – — Couples: U.S. Officials — — – — Couples: Same Sex

When Should You Use the Forms on this Page?

You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing a letter, invitation, card or Email. (If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.) The form noted in the salutation is the same form you say when you say their name in conversation or when you greet them. ___ What I don’t cover on this site are many things I do cover in my book: all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions , etc. I hope you’ll get a copy of the book if you’d like the further detail.

Not Finding Your Answer?

—- #1) At right on desktops , at the bottom of every page on tablets and phones , is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.

—- #2) If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answered send me an e-mail . I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so (unless I am traveling.) Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.

—- #3) If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question – but always change all the specifics.

— Robert Hickey

Recommended Resources: The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW) and Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA) For more information see the Protocol Resources page.

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Addresses & Letter To An Elected Official

American Government, Fall 2010

Monday/Wednesday Class Assignments Due: 10/18

Wednesday Night Class Assignments Due: 10/20

Address Assignment :

Using my web page as a start, look up the information necessary for the Web Assignment covering Mailing Addresses of the elected officials on the assignment sheet.

Letter to Elected Official:

Select a political issue that interests you and write a letter about it to any elected official at the local, state, or national level. You could also write a letter to an appointed official (such as the Attorney General), but if you do, run that person’s name and position by me. Your letter should have a definite purpose (typically to persuade someone to do something). For example, you may want the Governor to veto a bill that the Legislature has just passed. Or, you may want a Congressman to vote in favor of a bill currently up for a vote in Congress. Whatever the issue, be as specific as possible. State exactly what you want the official to do. You may have to do some research to learn the relevant details about the issue. The more specific and informed your letter, the more influence you could have over the individual’s vote/beliefs on an issue.

Here are some guidelines/directions:

· Writing in the first person (I think…) is ok.

· The letter should be no longer than one page in length (but a minimum of 250 words).

· The letter should be typed and single spaced in standard business letter format.

· You are responsible for finding the appropriate official’s mailing address.

· The letter should be written on 8.5 X 11 paper .

· The letter should be placed in a business size envelope.

· The envelope must be stamped, sealed, with the official’s correct address, and it must have a return address. The envelope must also have the letter in it!

· Make sure to sign the letter.

· Turn in to me a second copy (it can be a photocopy of the letter that goes into the mail, or it can be another printout of the original) along with the sealed, stamped envelope with your letter in it. I will place the letters in the mail.

The letter will be evaluated by the following criteria:

· Following directions

· Selection of an appropriate issue (is it relevant?)

· Addressing comments to the appropriate person

· Clear, effective writing style with correct grammar, spelling, and a clear argument with supporting evidence

Helpful Hints

See my homepage (http://www.westshore.edu/personal/MWNagle/)for information on correct addresses for elected officials and current topics of interest. I have links to several government sites for information on elected officials and links to sites that describe current topics of debate. I have taken information for this assignment from http://congress.org/conta c t / html .

Helpful suggestions for your letter:

1. The purpose for writing should be stated in the first paragraph of the letter. If the letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it by name/issue if at all possible.

2. Be courteous, to the point, and include key information, using examples to support your position.

3. Address only one issue in the letter. This helps to maintain the letter’s focus.

Addressing Correspondence:

To a Senator:

The Honorable (full name)

United States Senate

__ _( Rm.#)___(name of) Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

Dear Senator (last name):

To a Representative:

United States House of Representatives

__ _( Rm.#)___(name of) House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

Dear Representative (last name):

Note: When writing to the Chair of a Committee or the Speaker of the House, it is proper to address them as:

Dear Mr. Chairman or Madam Chairwoman:

Dear Madam Speaker:

An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know keyboard_arrow_down

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

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Get more information on using the TEAS Attorney Withdrawal Form and TEAS Change Address or Representation Form.

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File a petition to revive an abandoned application
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Additional information about this page

Abbott Administration Failures Risk Losing Federal SNAP and Medicaid Funds

Abbott Administration continues to violate Federal law and deny families critical assistance

Contact: [email protected]

Washington, D.C.— As the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) continues to be riddled with backlogs, delays, errors, and failing leadership, families are being denied SNAP food assistance and more than two million Texans have lost access to a family physician and must reapply for Medicaid coverage . Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) obtained multiple letters the Biden Administration sent Texas requesting internal data and records and warning of subsequent action if the State continues to violate Federal law.

To read the letter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), click here . To read the three separate warnings from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), click here , here , and here . The State is required to respond within 30 days to each letter. To read Texas HHSC’s first response, which was due May 29, click here .

Rep. Doggett released the following statement in response:

“The indifference of Governor Abbott has left millions of vulnerable families without access to a family physician or the ability to put food on the table. While belated actions from USDA and CMS are much needed, Texans will continue to suffer until we have competent State leadership that prioritizes those most in need. Any los s of federal funding, even administrative funds, would be a direct result of the Abbott HHSC’s failures.”

Background:

On May 22, CMS sent a letter to HHSC requiring the State to address the persistent backlog of Medicaid applications and mitigate the harm being caused to applicants. HHSC must respond within 30 days with application processing data, a staffing plan and the number of individuals in need of training, current mitigations or other strategies, and the process for adjudicating applications. If HHSC does not meet this request, the agency may be placed under a corrective action plan.

On May 21, USDA sent two letters to HHSC regarding the State’s continued failure to meet Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) requirements. The agency has 30 days to respond or risks the suspension of federal administrative funds:

While states are required to process an application within 30 days of its submission, as of May 3, Texas reported 90,398 backlogged applications with the oldest being from Aug. 21, 2023. Already under a corrective action plan with USDA, HHSC has yet to submit a sufficient plan and must revise it to clearly delineate measurable strategies, goals and objectives.
HHSC violated federal law by not implementing new requirements set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act regarding Able-bodied Adults Without Dependents. Although HHSC stated the new provisions were implemented, USDA found discrepancies during an evaluation.

On April 29, USDA sent a letter to HHSC warning the agency that the Employment and Training Program under SNAP remains out of compliance with federal regulations. HHSC failed to provide support and source documents for costs incurred by the program and may be subject to the disallowance of more than $8.3 million in administrative funds. HHSC responded on May 29 with an updated corrective action plan outlining measures previously taken and new actions planned to improve oversight of taxpayer dollars expended on the Employment and Training Program. You can read HHSC’s updated plan, which is pending USDA review, here .

Rep. Doggett’s efforts to address Texas’ Medicaid and SNAP backlogs:

In response to a series of whistleblower reports and an obtained HHSC email, Rep. Doggett has urged CMS and USDA to hold the State accountable and ensure the timely processing of new and backlogged Medicaid and SNAP applications.

After a July 25 whistleblower report , Rep. Doggett led the entire Texas Congressional Democratic delegation in urging CMS to pause Texas’ Medicaid redetermination process as well as take corrective action. The Members’ letter can be found here .
On August 21, a second whistleblower report was sent to HHSC.
On September 19, HHSC whistleblowers sent a third report , detailing further procedural issues. Rep. Doggett led the Texas Democratic delegation in a renewed call to CMS for a pause in procedural terminations of Medicaid coverage until a comprehensive audit of Texas HHSC is conducted. The whistleblowers also revealed HHSC was failing to timely process SNAP applications (30 days)—noting that some hungry families are waiting more than six months for food assistance. Rep. Doggett, joined by the Texas Democratic delegation, sent a letter to USDA urging prompt corrective action. The federal agency heeded this call and is now working with Texas to finalize a corrective action plan on SNAP.
In November, Rep. Doggett released a fourth whistleblower report detailing significant food assistance delays.
Shortly before the winter holidays, Rep. Doggett obtained an HHSC email coercing staff into completing 15 hours of voluntary overtime in six days to be entered into a raffle, on top of an already mandated monthly 20 hours of overtime, which has been demanded for the past three years. Rep. Doggett urged CMS to fulfill federal enforcement responsibilities and require a corrective action plan from Texas to come into compliance with Medicaid's timely processing rules. Notably, these applications include beneficiaries who applied for Medicaid before the redeterminations process began as well as thousands of new applications in more recent months, many of whom are likely Texans who lost their coverage because of the disastrous and error-ridden redeterminations process in Texas.

Rep. Ken Calvert’s defense of Trump must be a typo

Representative Ken Calvert recently slammed the conviction of the former President by calling out "partisan prosecutors who want to use the power of their office to influence our democratic elections" on X. This has to be a typo. Surely Rep. Calvert meant to say that it is partisan politicians who use the power of their office to influence democratic elections. Now that statement would be consistent with the facts of the case, the opinion of the jury, and the past and current behavior of the plaintiff.

Jack Fitzsimmons, Cathedral City

Rep. Ken Calvert’s response to Trump verdict distorts the facts

Rep. Ken Calvert’s response to the unanimous guilty verdicts in the so-called “hush money” case demonstrates a remarkable audacity as well as a stunning capacity to twist reality. Calvert said he is “alarmed” at those “…who want to use the power of their office to influence our democratic elections.” That is precisely what Donald Trump was convicted of doing: He used his offices (his own and, later, the White House) to quash evidence of adultery for one reason and one reason only – to hide the facts from voters in order to influence the outcome of his election. Calvert’s ability to distort the facts is exceeded only by his astounding hypocrisy and his complete disregard for our system of justice. Guilty is guilty; your hilarious contortions will not change that, Congressman.

David Hamlin, Palm Springs

Too much at stake to let Trump return to office

Donald Trump was found guilty of all 34 felony counts of falsifying his company's business records to keep information from voters that he knew would harm his 2016 presidential campaign. Lying on official business filings is a serious criminal offense and another clear example of Trump’s pattern doing anything to gain or stay in power. No one is above the law, and any other American would be punished if they committed the same crime.Despite the guilty verdict, Trump is still very much running for president. If he is elected to a second term, our democracy would be in serious peril. Don’t just take my word for it: Trump has pledged to weaponize the Department of Justice to seek revenge against his political opponents, pardon himself and his allies for crimes they commit, and deploy the military against demonstrators exercising their First Amendment rights—all while purging the federal government of anyone who doesn’t agree with him.There’s too much at stake to let Trump return to the Oval Office. It’s up to us to make sure we hold Trump accountable at the ballot box in November. Doug Brown, Palm Springs

Contributors

Letter in support of the proposed amendments to § 122 DGCL

Lawrence A. Hamermesh is an Emeritus Professor at Widener University Delaware Law School. This post is based on his letter to Senator Townsend and Representative Griffith, and is part of the Delaware law series ; links to other posts in the series are available here .

Dear Senator Townsend and Representative Griffith:

I write in support of S.B. 313, and in particular the proposed amendments to Section 122 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) that validate corporate power to enter into agreements that grant stockholders significant governance rights. These amendments respond to a recent decision by the Court of Chancery in the Moelis case, which invalidated a stockholder agreement giving the corporate founder the right to require, among other things, that the board of directors recommend the election of his director nominees. The proposed amendments validate such agreements as a general matter, but leave the courts with the ability to invalidate any such agreement if its adoption or use violates the directors’ fiduciary duty.

The proposed amendments address a now pervasive problem: the Moelis decision called into question what it acknowledged has been “market practice,” creating confusion and uncertainty for untold numbers of Delaware corporations and their executives, employees, investors, and advisors. In the Moelis case itself, the invalidated provisions were fully disclosed when the company went public ten years ago, and went unchallenged until recently. Moreover, one study finds that similar provisions exist in 15% of recent initial public offerings. These provisions are also a mainstay of contemporary venture capital investment – they even appear in an industry association collection of corporate forms that are used as the basis for a significant portion of venture financings every year. In all of these situations, planners have relied in good faith on a broader understanding of corporate capacity than the court applied in Moelis –an interpretation that was consistent with a 2007 Chancery opinion upholding an agreement in which the corporation agreed to give a new investor veto power, for five years, over board action to issue new stock.

The proposed amendments to the DGCL respond to the Moelis opinion’s sweeping questioning of such market practice, which includes governance agreements that have been the basis for long-standing investments in both public and private companies. That opinion therefore wisely recognized that legislative action could usefully clarify whether agreements of the sort it invalidated were legally proper: the court said that “the General Assembly could enact a provision stating what stockholder agreements can do.”

S.B. 313 responds directly to that invitation: the proposed amendments to Section 122 are vastly superior in predictability and clarity compared to the state of affairs prevailing under the current statute, as interpreted by the Court of Chancery. The uncertainties exposed by the Moelis decision are too widespread to be left to case-by-case evaluation, and too disruptive to fester for a year or more without legislative guidance. The need for such guidance is urgent, and the Delaware State Bar Association and its constituent groups should be commended, not condemned, for quickly and carefully preparing and presenting the draft amendments to the Delaware General Assembly that allow it to act before the current legislative session ends on June 30. Even an article critical of the proposed amendments acknowledged that “[c]orporations need guidance, and both the Delaware legislature and the Council of the Corporation Law Section are the right institutions to provide it.”

Nevertheless, the proposed amendments have drawn a lot of criticism that characterizes them as a frontal attack on the core principle of Delaware corporate law that it is the board of directors that manages the business and affairs of the corporation. This criticism misses an essential point: the amendments simply allow Delaware corporations to enter into shareholder agreements that include governance arrangements that unquestionably can be included in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation . In the Moelis opinion itself, the court recognized this; it also recognized that the governance rights it invalidated could have been adopted by the board of directors alone (i.e., without stockholder approval), via the power to issue so-called blank check stock—a power held by most publicly-traded corporations. All the proposed amendments would do would be to enable the corporation to grant such rights in an agreement with one or more stockholders, instead of amending the certificate of incorporation or issuing blank check stock containing those rights.

It has been suggested that the proposed amendments are the result of “interest group politics.” In a sense, that suggestion is well taken: this legislation was drafted by lawyers who, like many of us in Delaware, have benefited from the economic engine of Delaware business formation. The “interest” of that “interest group” stems from the recognition that those benefits depend on the preservation of the efficient and predictable system of corporate governance afforded by a regularly updated statute and hard-working, sophisticated judges. When a court decision, however well-reasoned, upsets that efficiency and predictability as the Moelis case has, it is the obligation of the stewards of Delaware’s corporate law – ultimately the General Assembly – to restore them as promptly and fully as possible.

Inevitably, maintaining the DGCL means reacting to decisions from Delaware’s respected judiciary that show that the needs of modern corporations and capital markets are no longer being met by a statute whose origins date to the 19th century. These changes do not constitute criticisms of the drafters of the prior statutory provisions or of the courts that interpreted them, but instead reflect the evolving needs of all modern stakeholders in Delaware’s system of corporate laws, from entrepreneurs and financiers to corporate directors, officers, and employees.

In sum, I respectfully urge that the General Assembly act quickly to adopt the proposed amendments. By doing so, Delaware will once again have demonstrated the resilience and reliability of its corporate law, and avoided putting at risk the continued faith in and use of the legal framework we offer.

Please feel free to share this letter with your fellow members of the General Assembly.

Respectfully,

Lawrence A. Hamermesh

Emeritus Professor,

Widener University Delaware Law School

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Merrick Garland: Unfounded attacks on the Justice Department must end

Four Israeli hostages are finally free. Now for peace talks to break through.

Apple just unveiled the first rational theory of AI for the masses

So you married a supreme court justice, sign up for democracy, refreshed, a newsletter series on how to renovate the republic, trump telegraphs plans to neuter congress, this time by seizing spending, how could a city built on a lake run out of water look at mexico city., the ‘double haters’ misnomer: biden’s secret weapon, going for gold in the trump loyalty olympics, 5 practical ways to cut ultra-processed foods from your diet, how congress could curb the use of lawfare for partisan attacks, no one should be surprised a black politician is the canary in aipac’s coal mine, don’t worry, trump will go back in time and fix everything, a better way to fix the border than biden’s executive order.

Americans are being held hostage in Gaza. We cannot forget them.

Want to go back in time? Visit a school where cellphones are banned.

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Rep. Watson Coleman Sends Letter to HUD Encouraging Adoption of New Rule Reducing Barriers to Affordable Housing for Justice-Impacted People

Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) led 15 of her House colleagues in a letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) encouraging the adoption of a proposed rule that would end the practice of rejecting or evicting tenants from public housing, or HUD-subsidized housing, solely on the basis of criminal conviction.

According to the Sentencing Project , as many as one in three adults in the United States — up to 100 million Americans — have interacted with the criminal justice system, a disproportionate amount of whom are people of color. A criminal record creates barriers to jobs, higher education opportunities, and public benefits – including those supplied by HUD.

“We write to respectfully urge the Administration to expeditiously move forward the Reducing Barriers to HUD-Assisted Housing rule,” the letter states. “As Members of Congress, we support the spirit of this rule – to both increase access to housing and minimize counterproductive exclusions from housing for those who have interacted with the criminal justice system.”

"HUD's proposal is a necessary step toward addressing the vicious cycle of homelessness and incarceration that millions of Americans are struggling to overcome," said Adam Gordon, executive director at the Fair Share Housing Center. "Instead of setting formerly incarcerated people up to fail, it's incumbent on policymakers at all levels of government to help reduce recidivism by ensuring access to stable housing."

The full text of the letter can be found here .

The proposed HUD rule can be found here .

The letter is signed by Reps. Watson Coleman (NJ-12); Barbara Lee (CA-12); Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07); Bennie Thompson (MS-02); Hank Johnson (GA-04); Gwen Moore (WI-04); Jonathan Jackson (IL-01); Melanie Stansbury (NM-01); Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18); Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14); Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44); Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10); Greg Casar (TX-35); Yvette Clarke (NY-09); Jimmy Gomez (CA-34); and Alma Adams (NC-12).

IMAGES

Write a letter to your representative Assignment.docx
Sample Letter To A Representative
L6 Assignment
LETTER TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE assignment.docx
Sample Letter To Representative
Assignment 9: Writing Assignment: Letter to your Representative

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How to write Resignation Letter

COMMENTS

Tips for Writing Effective Letters to Congress
Typed, one-page letters are best. Many Political Action Committees (PACs) recommend a three-paragraph letter structured like this: Say why you are writing and who you are. List your "credentials" and state that you are a constituent. It also doesn't hurt to mention if you voted for or donated to them.
PDF Dear (Representative/Senator/Congressman or Congresswoman) (Last name)
Be sure to include your contact information, and sign the letter. Sending e-mail communication to a legislator The same guidelines apply to e-mail as to written letters. Before sending an e-mail, you might want to call the legislator's office and ask if a letter sent by e-mail is effective. If you do send an e-mail, send it to the representative.
PDF How to Write a Letter to Your Member of Congress
Follow-up letters with a call to the lawmaker's office to be sure they received the letter. Go a step further and ask for an in-person meeting to discuss your letter with the elected official. Sample Letter to the Editor Opposing Forced Arbitration: Reports show Wells Fargo customers have been trying to sue over fake accounts since 2013.
Writing a Letter to a Member of Congress
Senators serve the ENTIRE state—consider writing to both your senators AND your rep! Keep it concise! Ideally one page. Members of Congress get a lot of mail. Be respectful! Format the letter. Use clear and simple language. Provide specific examples and references to show you are well-informed. Remember: members of Congress are there to ...
PDF Lesson Topic/ Writing a Letter to Your Representative: Class ...
letter addressed to their representative; self-assessing their draft letter against the template and checklist W5D: The Writing Process draft the beginning of a formal letter to a government leader brainstorming and organizing their letters; drafting the first paragraph of a formal letter to their representative L3D: Language Choices for
Section 1. Writing Letters to Elected Officials
If you are writing to an elected official, show respect for the position by using the title of the office, and the official's full name. In any other letter, use the familiar term "Dear," the title Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, or Dr., and the official's full name. Example: January 5, 2008. Title [Name of Representative or Senator]
Write a letter to your legislator
Step 2: Prepare your message. The first paragraph of your letter should state your position/request/reason for writing. If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it accordingly, e.g., H.R. 1234 (for a House resolution) or S.B. 234 (for a Senate bill). Be courteous and to the point and include evidence to support your ...
Writing your Elected Representatives
Hit your three most important points: Choose the three strongest points that will be most effective in persuading legislators to support your position and flesh them out. Personalize your letter: Tell your elected official why this legislation matters in his community or state. If you have one, include a personal story that shows how this issue ...
PDF Write a Letter to a U.S. Senator
SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR SENATOR U.S. Senate Mailing List The sample letter below is provided to show the correct format for addressing your U.S. Senator. Please use the left-hand column as a guide for the format, but make the letter unique to The Olive Branch post your student is addressing. Return Address Date Senator's Address Salutation
Communicating With Congress: Writing Letters
Follow this by your representative's name and address in Washington, DC. Be sure to address your representative as "The Honorable" followed by his or her full name. Next, provide a salutation such as "Dear Representative [First and Last Name]" or "Dear Senator [First and Last Name].". The main body of the letter follows.
Helping Students Write an Effective Letter to a Politician
As a result, the assignment felt authentic in two ways: first, the politician's office would read the letter, and, second, parents and peers would see the letters on display. 2. Base letters on a bill, if possible. This year, before doing any writing or outlining, students took most of a 77-minute block period to explore bills and articles ...
Letter of Authorization to Represent: How to Write (Samples)
Alternatively, you can use "To" instead of "Dear.". Additionally, ensure to include the recipient's specific name and title. For generic authorization letters, the salutation "To Whom It May Concern" is suitable. When incorporating titles, avoid using first names. For example, write " Dear Dr. May " instead of " Dear Dr ...
Letter to Representative.docx
Letter to Representative This assignment will provide you opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of government and policy. 1. Identify your representative or senator, state or national levels. 2. Write this individual a letter to argue the value of your policy of interest. 3.
How to Address U.S. Representative
Dear Mike, A representative-elect is addressed in writing as: —- Official envelope: —-—-The Honorable (Full Name)—-—-(Address) —- And in conversation as …. —-—-Mr./Ms./etc. (Surname) Officials become the Honorable once elected. In conversation or a salutation use the honorific to which they are entitled prior to taking office.
Letter to Representative Assignment FS20 1 .pdf
Page 1 of 2 Letter to Representative Expectations and Requirements POLS 1, Fall 2020, Professor Martin Students will write a letter to one of their elected representatives. Students will pick the topic and to which representative they write (local, state or federal representative). Students need to write to a representative about a topic within which the representative has jurisdiction.
Assignment 2: Letter to Representative
This letter to you is to further elaborate on the benefits of this bill if it is passed. The main idea of this bill, according to Ronald Shapiro of Jdsupra, is to take away the per-country limit on how many immigrants can obtain employment-based green cards, as well as incorporating a new first-come, first serve system in which every person ...
Assignment #1, Nagle
Addresses & Letter To An Elected Official. American Government, Fall 2010 Monday/Wednesday Class Assignments Due: 10/18 Wednesday Night Class Assignments Due: 10/20 Address Assignment:. Using my web page as a start, look up the information necessary for the Web Assignment covering Mailing Addresses of the elected officials on the assignment sheet.
Assignment Letter to Your Representative.docx
2 Assignment: Letter to Your Representative Part 1 Email Subject: Act Now to Support the Policies for the Elimination of Racial Inequality Charlotte Office 10150 Mallard Creek Rd Suite 508 Charlotte, NC 28262 Dear senator Thom Tillis, As a student at Walden University, I am writing to urge you to support the policy and alternative policies to reduce and eliminate racial inequality.
WK9Assign1.docx
Assignment: Letter to Your Representative Depending on the urgency of a social problem and policy timeline, you may not have the opportunity to attend a meeting with local, state, or federal representatives to vocalize your advocacy goals as they relate to the specific policies and agendas. As an advocacy professional, you have other means of communication that can influence decision makers ...
Letter To A Representative
Letter To A Representative. ssignment: In the same document, submit both Part I and II of the assignment (2-4 pages): Part I: Letter to Representative Your letter should include: A description of the social welfare issue An explanation of how you want the legislator to respond to the issue (vote, create legislation, hold public hearings, etc ...
Apply online
Apply for a trademark, respond to a letter from the USPTO, maintain your registration, and more through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS). ... Correspondence and attorney/domestic representative forms. File a change of address or representation, including: ... Assignment forms. File assignments, name changes, and other ...
Abbott Administration Failures Risk Losing Federal SNAP and Medicaid
Washington, D.C.—As the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) continues to be riddled with backlogs, delays, errors, and failing leadership, families are being denied SNAP food assistance and more than two million Texans have lost access to a family physician and must reapply for Medicaid coverage. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) obtained multiple letters the Biden ...
Trump issues warning to Rep. Bob Good to stop using name, likeness
Trump's campaign tells Freedom Caucus chair to stop using his name, image for re-election. Representative Bob Good, R-Virginia, received a cease-and-desist letter from former President Donald ...
Entry Level Sales Representative Skills
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Dear Senator Townsend and Representative Griffith: I write in support of S.B. 313, and in particular the proposed amendments to Section 122 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) that validate corporate power to enter into agreements that grant stockholders significant governance rights. These amendments respond to a recent decision by the Court of Chancery […]
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View LETTER TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE assignment.docx from BUS 343 at University of the Fraser Valley. First, go to Vote Smart's website http:/votesmart.org and view the website, votesmart.org. Second,
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Opinions
The Washington Post Opinions section features opinion articles, op-eds, editorials by the Editorial Board, global opinions and letters to the editor on the issues of the day. Offerings include ...
Rep. Watson Coleman Sends Letter to HUD Encouraging Adoption of New
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) led 15 of her House colleagues in a letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) encouraging the adoption of a proposed rule that would end the practice of rejecting or evicting tenants from public housing, or HUD-subsidized housing, solely on the basis of criminal conviction.

Tips for Writing Effective Letters to Congress

Letter or Email?

Think Locally

Finding Your Legislator's Address

Keep Your Letter Simple

Proofread Your Letter

Identifying Legislation

Addressing Members of Congress

Contact the U.S. Supreme Court

Key Things to Remember

What Not to Do

Writing a Letter to a Member of Congress

Instructional Plan

Search form

Chapter 33 Sections

What is a letter to an elected official?

Why write to elected officials?

When should you write letters to elected officials?

How do you write letters to public officials?

Decide on the recipient.

Open the letter in an official manner.

Explain the purpose for your letter.

Summarize your understanding of the issue/decision being considered.

Explain your position on this issue.

Describe what any changes will mean to you, and to others.

Identify others who may be affected by this decision.

Acknowledge past support.

Describe what action you hope the official will take.

If you have written a letter that opposes some action, offer an alternative.

If you have time and you are committed, ask how you can help

Close and sign your letter.

Check your letter for spelling and grammatical errors.

Letter-writing campaigns

Should you use e-mail?

Write a letter to your legislator

Step 1: Identify your members of Congress

Step 2: Prepare your message

Sample congressional letter

Step 3: Send your letter

Other toolkit topics

Call your legislator

Dos and donts for communicating with legislators

Download the guide to advocating for science

Meet with your legislators in person

Prepare a lab tour for your legislators

Write a letter to the editor

Writing your Elected Representatives

Stay Informed

Communicating With Congress: Writing Letters

Finding Your Representative

Learning About Your Representative

Writing Your Letter

AAAS’s Top 10 Rules for Working With Congress

Formatting the Letter

Additional Information

Additional Resources

What Students Can Learn by Writing to Politicians

A MiddleWeb Blog

1. Go interdisciplinary with the topics.

2. Base letters on a bill, if possible.

3. Find the best people to whom to address the letters.

4. Relate the project explicitly to how Congress and state legislatures work.

5. Give detailed advice and models for writing the letters.

6. Proofread the drafts thoroughly so that students can be proud of their work.

Having a Voice in the World

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BOOK REVIEWS

Letter of Authorization to Represent: How to Write (Samples)

Sample Letters

Writing a Letter of Authorization to Represent

Section 1: Heading

Write your name and address (1st party)

Specify the date

Include recipient’s details (2nd party)

Write the salutation

Section 2: Introduction

Briefly state your authorization

Verify the identity of the person being authorized (3rd party)