1. Writing to a Political Figure Sorry gang, the Copy Center (Didn’t) Came thru again

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

3. Here are some key things you should always and never do in 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. If you need help in finding the number of a bill, use the Thomas Legislative Information System.identify it correctlyThomas Legislative Information System  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 done or recommend a course of action.  Thank the member for taking the time to read your letter.  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. If you need help in finding the number of a bill, use the Thomas Legislative Information System.identify it correctlyThomas Legislative Information System  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 done or recommend a course of action.  Thank the member for taking the time to read your letter.

4. Never  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,  Fail to include your name and address, even in email letters.  Demand a response.  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,  Fail to include your name and address, even in email letters.  Demand a response.

5. SAMPLE LETTER - HEADING  [Date]   The Honorable ____________________________   (ADDRESS) House (or Senate) Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (20510)   Dear Congressman/Senator ______________:  [Date]   The Honorable ____________________________   (ADDRESS) House (or Senate) Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (20510)   Dear Congressman/Senator ______________:

6. BODY – Paragraph on 1: Who are you and why are you writing  As a constituent who votes, I am writing about an issue that is very important to me: medical research funding. Specifically, I am writing to urge you to support an increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during fiscal year 20__.

7. Paragraph 2 – Specifics as to how it relates/impacts you  I [my child, my friend, etc] have a rare skin disease called ichthyosis. Ichthyosis is a family of genetic skin diseases characterized by severely dry, thickened, scaling skin. Symptoms of ichthyosis range widely depending on the variety of ichthyosis involved. My ichthyosis is [personalize]. As you can imagine, life with this disorder comes with many physical and social complications.

8. Paragraph 3 – Research, what is being done and personalize your connection.  Research at the NIH is key to making much-needed progress in treatments and, hopefully, a cure for ichthyosis. In the past, increases in the NIH budget have led to great advances in genetic research for some of the ichthyoses. Unfortunately, the recent sequestration has caused a major delay in progress and there is still so much work to be done. Under sequestration and the current budget caps, NIH funding was cut by $1.7 billion in 2013 and funding in 2014 remained flat. This lack of funding is causing many researchers to leave the field, while existing investigative labs are struggling to operate or recuperate from the loss. [personalize with a few sentences]

9. Paragraph 4 – Either what you are suggesting being done or asking for their investigation into the matter.  Investing in research at NIH will lead to better treatments and better lives for patients living with rare diseases, like ichthyosis. Please support an increase in NIH funding, so that people like me can have hope that someday a cure will found.

10. Conclusion  Thank you for your consideration.  Sincerely,   Your name Your address include phone and email address  Thank you for your consideration.  Sincerely,   Your name Your address include phone and email address