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YOUR CALLS AND LETTERS COUNT

There are many ways to make your voice heard on Capitol Hill. Letters and telephone calls to the Congressional representative and Senators who represent your district or state are among the most effective. Legislators do care about the concerns of the constituents who vote them in and out of office and will often decide to co-sponsor legislation in direct response to calls and letters from constituents of theirs that have asked for that support.

o Writing your legislator about Johanna’s Law? For a sample letter, click here.
Feel free to excerpt from the letter or use it in its entirety. Taking at least a few minutes to personalize it is advised. Particularly valuable, if applicable, is noting how gynecologic cancers have affected you, your family and friends or patients. Include facts that underscore the need for Johanna’s Law but be concise. Aim to limit your letter to one page.

o Want to draft a letter from scratch? For tips on Writing to Congress, click here

o Fax or email letters. Do not mail them. Fax or email it to your Representative’s Wash., D.C. office to ensure timely delivery. Regular mail destined for Capitol Hill incurs lengthy screening delays. Find legislators’ fax and email information on their Web sites or by calling their offices (Capitol switchboard: 202 225 3121).

o Not sure who represents your district or state? Find out here.
If you are not sure who represents your district in Congress, go to: www.house.gov where Representatives are listed by zip code and alphabetically. Senators are listed by state at: www.senate.gov

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Follow-up phone calls to legislators’ D.C. offices can enhance the impact of any letters sent. For “Tips on Calling Congress,” click here.

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