Communicating with Federal Elected Officials
Tips On Telephoning Your Elected Representatives
To find your senators' and representative's phone numbers, you may use the National PTA searchable online congressional directory at
http://capwiz.com/npta2/dbq/officials/
directory/directory.dbq?command=congdir
or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your senators' and/or representative's office.
Alabama's legislator contacts
House: http://www.legislature.state.al.us/
house/house.htmlSenate: http://www.legislature.state.al.us/
senate/senate.html
Remember that a staff member, not the member of Congress, usually takes telephone calls. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue about which you wish to comment.
After identifying yourself, tell the aide you would like to leave a brief message, such as: "Please tell Senator/Representative (Name) that I support/oppose (S.___/H.R.___).";
You will also want to state reasons for your support or opposition to the bill. Ask for your senators' or representative's position on the bill. You may also request a written response to your telephone call.
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Join National PTA Member to Member Network
Receive National PTA legislative action alerts and help us advocate for children. Find out more at capwiz.com/npta2/mlm/
Tips On Writing Congress
The letter is the most popular choice of communication with a congressional office. If you decide to write a letter, this list of helpful suggestions will improve the effectiveness of the letter:
- Your purpose for writing should be stated in
the first paragraph of the letter. If your letter
pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify
it accordingly, e.g., House bill: H. R. ____, Senate
bill: S.____.
- Be courteous, to the point, and include key
information, using examples to support your position.
- Address only one issue in each letter; and, if possible, keep the letter to one page.
Addressing Correspondence:
To a Senator:
The Honorable (full name)
__(Rm.#)__(name of) Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510Dear Senator:
To a Representative:
The Honorable (full name)
__(Rm.#)__(name of) House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515Dear Representative:
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:
or Dear Mr. Speaker:
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Tips On E-mailing Congress
Generally, the same guidelines apply as with writing letters to Congress. You may find and e-mail your senators and representative directly from the National PTA Web site at http://www.pta.org.
Alabama PTA
The Alabama PTA is the strongest statewide organization working exclusively on behalf of children and youth. Founded in 1911, Alabama PTA's primary objective is to strengthen the family unit through parent involvement.
