| Writing a Letter to a Legislator
It is critical for our elected officials to receive letters from
constituents on issues of importance to the AIDS community. Often,
issues unfold over a period of several weeks or even months. This
gives you as an advocate the opportunity to weigh in on proposed
budget cuts, pieces of legislation and other critical issues. Writing
a personal letter to your elected official is an easy and effective
way to have your opinions recorded. When you write and mail a letter,
it not only represents your own personal opinion. To an elected
official, it also represents the opinions of hundreds of people
in his or her district who feel the same way you do, but didn't
take the time to write or call. The power to effect change can be
enormous. A letter has an advantage over a phone call because the
legislative office will keep a hard copy of your letter, so that
your arguments can be read and reviewed. Also, a letter will generally
evoke a response from the elected representative, forcing him or
her to give some thought to the issue and perhaps go on record in
response.
Do:
- Make your letter personal — speak from your own experience.
A recent Gallup Poll found that over 70% of all lawmakers said
they pay a great deal of attention to personally written letters,
while only 19% pay great attention to form letters;
- Think about what you can say about yourself which might represent
the elected official's constituency. Are you: a voter? a minority?
a member of the representative's political party? a parent? a
taxpayer? a person living with HIV? What is your sex? age group?
income bracket? Just a few letters can embody an entire district's
demographics. Think about that when writing your letter;
- Make sure you refer to any legislation by the correct bill number
and title;
- State your position in the first and last sentence of your letter;
- Address your letter correctly, i.e., Senator David Paterson,
Congressmember Charles Rangel. Envelopes should be addressed to
The Honorable George Pataki, New York State Capitol, or The Honorable
Joseph Bruno, New York State Senate;
- Type or write legibly;
- Be brief and respectful. A well-worded one page letter can have
a greater impact than a lengthy three or four pages;
- Send your letter in a timely fashion. Note that letter alerts
will usually ask you to respond by a certain date;
- Follow up your letter with a phone call;
- Ask co-workers, family, and friends to write letters as well;
Don't:
- Copy sample letters verbatim;
- Be rude or threatening;
- Send your letter after the vote has been taken;
- Include volumes of extra materials;
- Put down every argument you can think of — stick to one or two
key points.
Letter Alert Example
GOVERNOR PATAKI IS DEVELOPING THE 1998-99 EXECUTIVE BUDGET.
LET HIM KNOW HE MUST RESPOND TO THE AIDS EPIDEMIC!!!
Background Information
New York remains the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic in the United
States. Approximately 20% of all AIDS cases in the United States
are in New York State. During George Pataki's term as Governor,
New York's AIDS cases have surpassed 100,000. In 1983, NYS created
the AIDS Institute within the NYS Department of Health. Since its
creation, the Institute has coordinated the State response to AIDS,
and has provided a focus for AIDS expertise at the State level.
The Institute funds HIV prevention initiatives, and support programs
to deliver medical care and social support services to those in
the greatest need, and a myriad of other crucial AIDS programs.
What we know
For the last three years, as a direct result of grassroots advocacy
like your letters, Governor Pataki did not cut funding for AIDS
programs. However, AIDS cases in NYS have increased dramatically
during these same years. Governor Pataki's failure to increase the
State AIDS budget equals a funding cut. Under this current situation,
AIDS organizations that rely on state money can't keep pace with
increases in caseloads.
What you can do
We expect the Executive Budget to be released in early January.
Write Governor Pataki before his budget comes out, before the end
of this month, and call upon him to increase the State AIDS budget
at a level commensurate with the increase in AIDS cases. The future
of AIDS services in New York is at stake!
Sample Letter:
December 5, 1997
Governor George Pataki
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Dear Governor Pataki:
I am a (person living with AIDS, woman with children, resident
of Buffalo, registered Republican, African American man, social
worker, an employee of a local AIDS Services organization
in Rochester, husband and father, devout Catholic, gay teenager,
volunteer at an AIDS clinic, etc.) I call upon you to increase
the State AIDS Institute budget at a level at least commensurate
with the dramatic increase in AIDS cases. I also urge you
to refrain from cutting any services vital to people living
with AIDS in this State, especially Medicaid, which serves
over 60% of all New Yorkers with AIDS, and is crucial to the
quality of care they receive.
As our governor, it is critical that you take a leadership
role in New York's fight against AIDS. As you are certainly
aware, New York is the epicenter of the AIDS crisis in this
country. During the three years of your Administration, AIDS
cases have increased dramatically in New York. No increase
in AIDS funding means a funding cut for people living with
AIDS.
Your leadership is critical if we are to stem the epidemic,
as well as meet the needs of those New Yorkers already affected
by this terrible disease. Please ensure that your budget addresses
the needs of the most vulnerable New Yorkers.
Sincerely,
Your Name |
© 2003 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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