Opportunity to Speak Out During August Recess

	J. Michael Smith, Esq. President Michael P. Farris, Esq. Chairman

Opportunity to Speak Out During August Recess

William A. Estrada, Esq.
Director of Federal Relations

Melanie Palazzo
Congressional Action Program Director

August 10, 2010

August is here, and members of Congress are heading home for a month in their districts. This is a great opportunity to express your gratitude or frustration and bring up your concerns to the leaders representing you. Congress has dedicated this time to listening to the people’s voice and getting a renewed sense of what the country wants.

Sometimes it can seem as if your voice is small and does not matter in the larger scheme of things. Yet, our elected officials must hear from the people—the real leaders in our nation. And you can make a difference. Those elected officials who have not listened in the past, or who have a clear record of following an agenda very different from what their constituents believe, need to hear from you and your fellow citizens.

And the elected officials who have fought tirelessly for you and for freedom need to hear your encouragement and feel your support, so they can have the strength and courage to keep fighting for you when Congress assembles in September.

It is part of our duty as Americans to elect representatives who will protect our freedoms. August is a perfect time to find out exactly where your members of Congress stand on issues that are important to you before they head back to Washington, D.C., and face midterm elections in November.

We have compiled the information below to help you meet with your elected officials in your community and to help you confidently express your views.

If you have any questions or want some additional information, please contact the staff at HSLDA’s Federal Relations Department at federalrelations@hslda.org or 540-338-5600.

Great Ways to Let Your Voice be Heard

Schedule a meeting with your elected officials in their district offices.
Read “Ten Tips for Visiting a Congressman”
Go to a town hall meeting in your area.

Call a district office or keep checking your elected officials’ websites to see when they are hosting an event.
Visit the U.S. Senate website
Visit the U.S. House of Representatives website

Call, email, or write to your district office and let them know your thoughts.

To find the contact information for your U.S. senators and U.S. representative, please use HSLDA’s Legislative Toolbox (once you click on your members of Congress, go to “more district offices” to find the office closest to you).