Week 16 -- Letter Writing Campaign

by Kathy Drasky

Published June 15, 2009 @ 07:14AM PT

It's working! Thanks to all of you who are taking part in the Out4Immigration Letter Writing Campaign to gain additional co-sponsors for the Uniting American Families Act. We have a LOT to accomplish this summer -- and so we kick off Week 16 of our campaign by upping the number of Representatives and Senators we target to 4 per week.

Remember to write your letters (draft copy below) and FAX and snail mail it to the Congressperson/Senator's office. Then email requests to their staffers. All the contact info you need is below.

This week we will be contacting:

Senator Herb Kohl (WI):
330 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5653
Fax: (202) 224-9787

Staff members for Senator Kohl:
molly_harris@kohl.senate.gov
chad_metzler@kohl.senate.gov
 
Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-35):
2344 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2201
Fax: (202) 225-7854

Staff members for Rep Waters:

kathleen.sengstock@mail.house.gov
andrea.martin@mail.house.gov

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-16):
102 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3072

Staff members for Rep Lofgren:

ryan.clough@mail.house.gov
eleen.trang@mail.house.gov
 
Rep. Charles Gonzalez (TX-20):
303 Cannon House Office Building
Washington D.C. 20515-4320
Tel: (202) 225-3236
Fax: (202) 225-1915

Staff members for Rep Gonzalez:
angela.manso@mail.house.gov
julie.hart@mail.house.gov

[Today's Date]

Dear [Senator][Represent ative] [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] [Congresswoman/ man ...] 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