Members of Congress listen to their constituents and they listen in a variety of ways. It can be through personal phone calls, letters, faxes, e-mail and by visits to their offices at Washington or in their home state. In either case, it is important that they be approached through all of these means as to why they should sponsor and support the Flag Amendment.

Writing a Letter

If you write a letter to your Senator or Representative, you have chosen the most popular means of communication with a congressional office. Following are some helpful suggestions on what to include in the letter.

  • Always be brief and to the point, stating your purpose for writing in the first paragraph of the letter.
  • Encourage your Senators and Representatives to support and sponsor the "Flag Amendment." Include the bill or resolution number early in your letter.
  • Always be courteous and address only one issue in your letter - protection for the flag.
  • Correspondence should be addressed as follows:

To a House Member:
The Honorable (full name)
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:

To a Senator:
The Honorable (full name)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator:

Visits to Offices

It is unlikely that you will be able to talk face-to-face or even by phone with your elected representative. They are extremely busy people and seldom have the luxury to spend a great deal of time on a single issue. The next best option is to visit with a member of their Congressional staff.

When contacting their Washington Office, if the member is not available, try to visit with their Administrative Assistant, Legislative Assistant or Legislative Director. The Administrative Assistant reports directly to the member of Congress in regards to evaluating constituent requests. The member’s Legislative Director makes recommendations concerning particular legislative issues and necessary actions.

When visiting your elected representative, be mindful of his/her schedule and, above all, be prepared and plan your visit carefully. Make an appointment with the member’s appointment secretary/scheduler. Be on time, show patience and understanding if you have to wait, and be prepared to answer questions on why we need a constitutional amendment to protect the flag.

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