Week 15 -- Letter Writing Campaign

by Kathy Drasky

Published June 08, 2009 @ 07:38AM PT

Every week, Out4Immigration targets two members of Congress who we think understand and support our issue, but haven't signed on to co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) yet. We are encouraged in knowing that several of the Congresspeople and Senators we have written to signed on as co-sponsors soon after we wrote to them!

This week we are contacting:

Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)

We are increasing our efforts by e-mailing and faxing letters to staffers of these two Senators. We have revised the letter below so that it can be universally emailed, faxed and snail-mailed to staffers as well as to the Senators. The addresses and a draft letter - which you can edit, if you like - are below.

Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
United States Senate
154 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1903
Phone: 202-224-5344
Fax: 202-224-1946

Staff members for Senator Olympia Snowe:

Ron LeFrancois, Legislative Director
ron_lefrancois@snowe.senate.gov

Amy Pellegrino, Legislative Aide
amy_pellegrino@snowe.senate.gov

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)
United States Senate
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1904
Phone: 202-224-2523
Fax: 202-224-2693

Staff members for Senator Susan Collins:

Shaw Sprague, Legislative Aide
shaw_sprague@collins.senate.gov

Priscilla Hanley, Legislative Aide
priscilla_hanley@collins.senate.gov

Please remember, after sending your fax AND your e-mails to the staffers, be sure to mail your handwritten letter to the Senators we are targeting. In the era of electronic communication and social media, handwritten letters are still a very effective means of reaching our members of Congress, and should be used as the final finishing touch of our weekly efforts.

[Today's Date]

Dear [Senator] [Staffer] ,

I am writing to you to ask for [your] [ Congesswoman/ man.....] support by becoming a co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA; S. 424/H.R. 1024) sponsored in
the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy and in the House by Rep. Jerrold Nadler.

I am part of a group called Out4Immigration. [I am] [I know people who are] directly affected by the current unfair immigration policies in this country that deny gay and lesbian Americans in same-sex binational relationships the right to sponsor their permanent partner to live with them in the United States.

As you may be aware, these Americans in loving and committed relationships are often forced to make heartbreaking decisions to maintain their relationship. More often than not, these include having to leave the United States in order to be with the person they love. These American citizens are forced to give up careers, leave behind
aging parents and young adult children who rely on them and leave a community which benefits from their ongoing and active participation.

The Uniting American Families Act simply seeks to provide gay and lesbian U.S. citizens and permanent residents the right to sponsor their partners for immigration. It includes the same process and penalties as applied in heterosexual sponsorship applications. By co-sponsoring the UAFA you are showing your dedication to equality and the belief that no American should be forced to choose between their country and the person they love.

Thank you for your time on this important matter. I hope that
[your] [Senator's _______] name will be added to the list co-sponsors on this bill and support the UAFA in any discussions concerning Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

Respectfully,

[NAME]
[ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL]
Out4Immigration
www.out4immigration.org