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Advocacy Corner

Do YOU know how to make a difference? Do YOU know who is representing YOU in Washington? Beginning this month a regular feature titled Advocacy Corner will help you find the information needed to keep you informed. This month the focus will be on tips for communicating effectively with elected officials and also WHO is representing North Carolina in Washington.

Tips on Phoning Your Elected Official:

  • To find your senators' and representative's phone numbers, you may search online (online congressional directory) or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your senators' and/or representative's office.
  • 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.

Tips on Writing Your Elected Official:

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 20510

Dear Senator:
To a Representative:
The Honorable (full name)
__(Rm.#)__(name of) House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear 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: For much more information about lobbying and cyberlobbying please visit: http://www.nccovenant.org/ Listed are the House of Representatives Members and the committees they serve. Following are the senators and contact information.

House Members:

  • G.K. Butterfield (D-NC 1st)
    • Agriculture, Armed Forces
  • Bob Etheridge (D- NC 2nd)
    • Agriculture, Committee on Homeland Security
  • Walter Jones (R - NC 3rd)
    • Armed Forces, Financial Services, Resources
  • David Price (D - NC 4th)
    • Appropriations
  • Virginia Foxx (R - NC 5th)
    • Agriculture, Education and the Workforce, Government Reform
  • Howard Coble (R - NC 6th)
    • Judiciary, Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Mike McIntyre (D - NC 7th)
    • Agriculture, Armed Services
  • Robin Hayes (R - NC 8th)
    • Agriculture, Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Sue Myrick (R - NC 9th)
    • Energy and Commerce
  • Patrick McHenry (R - NC 10th)
    • Budget, Financial Services, Government Reform
  • Charles Taylor (R - NC 11th)
    • Appropriations
  • Melvin Watt (D - NC 12th)
    • Financial Services, Judiciary
  • Brad Miller (D - NC 13th)
    • Financial Services, Science

Websites for the House members are as follows: www.house.gov/(last name of delegate) i.e. http://www.house.gov/foxx. Each website has contact information for the Representatives as well as legislative links.

Senators:

Richard Burr (Republican)

  • Website: burr.senate.gov
  • Washington Office:
      • 217 Russell Senate Office Building
      Washington, D.C. 20510-3306
      Phone: (202) 224-3154
      Fax: (202) 228-2981
  • Main District Office:
      • 2000 West First St., Ste. 508
      Winston-Salem, NC 27104
      Phone: (336) 631-5125
      Fax: (336) 725-4493
  • Committees:
    • Energy and Natural Resources
    • Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
    • Indian Affairs
    • Veterns' Affairs

Elizabeth Dole (Republican)

  • National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair
  • Website: dole.senate.gov
  • Washington Office:
      • 555 Dirksen Senate Office Building
      Washington, D.C. 20510-3301
      Phone: (202) 224-6342
      Fax: (202) 224-1100
      Main District Office:
      310 New Bern Ave., Ste. 122
      Raleigh, NC 27601
      Phone: (919) 856-4630
      Fax: (919) 856-4053
  • Committees:
    • Special Committee on Aging
    • Armed Services
    • Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs

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