Week 17 -- Letter Writing Campaign

by Kathy Drasky

Published June 22, 2009 @ 10:39AM PT

Last week we added another co-sponsor to the Uniting American Families Act, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL-2), bringing the total number of co-sponsors in the House to 112. The Out4Immigration letter writing campaign continues to work -- many of you saw that Rep. Jackson had signed onto the Reuniting Families Act (RFA) and wrote him to remind him about UAFA. Thanks -- it worked!

Now we move on to Week 17. Our four targets, their staffers and a sample letter are all below.

Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI)
269 Russell Office Building
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510-2202
Phone (202) 224-6221
Fax (202) 224-1388

Staffers
kaye_meier@levin.senate.gov
jackie_parker@ levin.senate.gov

Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
503 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
ph (202) 224-4654
Fax (410)962-4760

Staffers
julia_frifield@ mikulski.senate.gov
mario_cardona@ mikulski.senate.gov

Rep. Stephen Cohen (TN-9)
1005 Longworth House
Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3265
Fax: (202) 225-5663

Staffers
David.Greengrass@mail.house.gov
Brittany.Johnson@mail.house.gov

Rep. Mel Watt (NC-12)
2304 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC
20515-3312
Tel. (202) 225-1510
Fax (202) 225-1512

Staffers
Jason.Everett@mail.house.gov
Alyssa.Gowens@mail.house.gov

Please remember, after sending your fax AND your e-mails to the staffers, be sure to mail your handwritten letter  to the members of Congress 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.

SAMPLE LETTER

[Today's Date]

Dear [Senator][Represent ative] [Staffer] ,

I am writing to you to ask for [your] [ Congresswoman/ 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