ALERT re: Meetings with Legislators during August Recess

August 2, 1999

Here's some logistical information for making local contacts with your legislators, including a sample letter you can use to request an appointment.

Check your Members' webpages for information on their whereabouts during the August break. They might be holding town meetings or visiting local establishments. You can find their sites through these links:

Links to your legislators' websites can be found at:

House | Senate (select your state and click Go)

Call the local office first to find out what would be the best time to request an appointment. If they ask for your request in writing, fax a letter on your institution's letterhead and follow up with a phone call a day later. Ask to speak to the Representative's/Senator's scheduler.

Before your meetings, learn something about your Members' legislative priorities. Check their websites for biographical information. Make sure you know which committees they sit on, as legislators often try to relate things to their committee assignments. Again, email me and I'll let you know what I know about them.

Brief yourself about the IT initiative by visiting our IT² webpage. We have policy briefs and fact sheets that you can download/print and take with you as leave-behinds. Additional communications tips and some remarks on what you can expect are also available.

Sample Letter

The Honorable [full name]
Member of Congress
[local address]
OR
United States Senator
[local address]

Dear Representative OR Senator [last name]:

I am writing to request an appointment with you in your [town of nearest local office] office on [dates you are available during August] to discuss opportunities for expanding the federal investment in information technology research.

As you probably know, the FY 2000 budget request proposes undertaking an Information Technology Initiative that would revitalize critical federal support for IT R&D. The House Science Committee is considering bipartisan authorizing legislation (HR 2086) along the same lines.

The research to be supported through this initiative holds enormous potential for expanding the economy, strengthening public infrastructure and services, advancing science, and improving the lives of all Americans. Its full funding is crucial to the Department of [your department] at the University of [your university].

I would very much appreciate an opportunity to tell you more about the benefits of the planned research, address any questions you might have, and enlist your support for this important endeavor.

I hope you will be able to find time to meet with me on [dates]. I will be contacting your office shortly.

Thanks very much.

Sincerely,

Thank you for your interest and support!

Lisa Thompson
Director of Government Affairs
Computing Research Association
1100 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-234-2111
202-667-1066 fax
thompson@cra.org