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WBIA Legislative

Action Center

10 Tips on Becoming a Grassroots Activist

Express Your Views!  Comments can be filed with the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System

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"CONSUMERS FACE HIGHER INTERNET PRICES AND FEWER CHOICES UNDER TODAY’S FCC BROADBAND DEREGULATION DECISION "

- Consumers Union 10/14/2004

Tips on Writing Congress:

While the letter is the most popular choice of communication with a congressional office we encourage you to use fax or e-mail due to the delays of mail delivery resulting from the threat of Anthrax.  Here is a list of helpful tips that will improve the effectiveness of your correspondence:

1. If possible, write your letter on professional letterhead. Be sure to include your full name, address, phone number and request a reply. 

2.  The purpose of your letter should be state in the first paragraph.

• Make the topic clear in your first sentence.  For example; I'm writing to ask your support of.........
• Give reasons for your position and include personal experience or concrete examples.
• Use your own words and experiences.  Personal letters and real stories are more compelling.
• Ask a question.  By doing so you may receive a personal response.
• A one-page letter is best.  Only write a longer letter if necessary for clarity.
• Be polite, positive and constructive.  Don't plead and never threaten.
• Stay on topic.  If you have other issues write another letter pertinent to that topic.

3.  You can find contact information for each Congressional Representative on the

WBIA Legislative Action Center.

4.  Most importantly, speak from your heart and be sure to ask the Representative to step out as a leader and show their support for small business and the preservation for choice.

5.  Follow up with a phone call in several days.  This steps can and do make a difference.

Addressing Correspondence:

To a Senator:

     The Honorable (full name)

     ___Room # _____(name of) Senate Office Building

     United States Senate

     Washington, DC 20510

     Dear Senator_______

To a Representative:

     The Honorable (full name)

     ____Room #____(name of) House Office Building

     United State House of Representatives

     Washington, DC 20515

     Dear Representative

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

or

Dear Mr. Speaker:

Note:

Your letter will be read by an aide.  While legislators themselves are usually not able to read all of the correspondence sent to their offices, that does not mean your letter will not have an impact.  Congressional Representatives rely heavily on their aides to provide them with concise and thorough information.  Aides keep a running tally of letters received for or against a given position and report the results regularly to the Congressperson.  A well-written, thought provoking letter can educate an aide, thereby influencing the legislator.