| Government Relations
Write Letters to Your Representatives
Sustainable Development
> Government Relations >
Write Letters to Your Representatives
A handwritten letter from “home” to state and federal representatives often gets more attention than fancy letterhead from corporations and prestigious law firms. Writing a letter is simple, especially when you follow these tips:
- Be Direct: State the purpose of writing your legislator in the first paragraph of the letter.
- Be Accurate: If your letter concerns a specific piece of legislation, identify it as such, e.g., House bill: H.R. (number), Senate bill: S. (number).
The Library of Congress Web site can assist you in researching a House or Senate bill number: www.loc.gov
- Be Concise: Keep the letter to one page, if possible.
- Be Efficient: Faxing your letter, as opposed to mailing it, is highly recommended. Mail typically takes four to six weeks to reach your legislator's desk.
- Be Formal:
Direct postal correspondence to your Senator as follows:
The Honorable (Name)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator (Name),
Direct postal correspondence to your Representative as follows:
The Honorable (Name)
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Representative (Name),
Follow these same conventions for letters to local and state representatives.
|
 |
|