Foundation of Democracy

"As a representative of the people, it is my honor and duty to serve the interests of my constituents. Therefore, their communication and correspondence is vital to establishing a true understanding of their stance on important issues.

As a diverse group of individuals, their input provides necessary variety and creativity to public policy. Each letter, call, email, and fax from our constituents is valuable for obtaining viewpoints, creating solutions, and determining the impact of upcoming legislation.

Over the years, your organization has served to connect the people to their representatives, preserving the foundation of democracy. I would like to thank the National Write Your Congressman for your continued service to the people and founding principles of the United States of America. -Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite, 5th District, Florida

Letter to NWYC

"As an elected official, I can't do my job properly unless I know my constituents' opinions and concerns. That's why it's so important that citizens take the time to write their representatives to let them know how they feel. An informed and intelligent dialogue between government and citizenry is critical to the well-being of our democracy. I may not always agree with everything that people write to me, but know that I take every letter and e-mail seriously, and always take the time to respond.

I applaud your ongoing efforts to strengthen participatory democracy through the encouraging a constituent correspondence. Keep up the good work!" -Congressman Jose' E. Serrano, 16th District, New York

Constituent Opinion... The Linchpin of Our System

"I would like to thank you and National Write Your Congressman for many years of work improving communication between Members of Congress and the people we represent. Hearing from my constituents and learning their views on the issues that matter to them allows me to carry out my job title as representative.

Our Republic can only function when the American people are informed and involved in the governing process. The House of Representatives was established by our Founding Fathers to be responsive to the will of the people, and constituent opinion is the linchpin of that system. I have been entrusted with the privilege of representing constituents in my district, and their views influence each and every vote that I cast." -Congressman John Culberson, 7th District, Texas

Constituent Opinion

"Article I of the Constitution gives us the right to elect our representatives in Washington, but also the right to do so much more including the right of free speech, the right of association and the right to express our opinions about the actions of our elected officials. Our elected officials cannot represent us well if they do not know what we are thinking and experiencing.

My constituents are encouraged to send a personal letter or email - not just a form letter. We do listen when you speak to us and it is far more effective when we can hear your position in your own words." -Congressman Spencer Bachus, 6th District, Alabama

Effective Communication

The need to communicate messages to constituents is nothing new, and all legislators feel it is important to communicate effectively with their constituents. Effective communication is of central importance to democratic representation.

Members of Congress have long practiced the art of communicating with constituents in face-to-face settings, and with print and broadcast news reporters. With the growth of the Internet, website technologies enable new and different forms of legislator-constituent communication. And indeed, these new technologies can enhance the quality and amount of communication within legislative representation beyond what has traditionally been available in face-to face interactions and in the print and broadcast media. For example, when members of Congress place information about themselves, their accomplishments and voting records on their website, any interested constituent will have ready access to that information and can direct their attention to whatever content is of most interest to them.

Members' web presence has improved dramatically over the past two decades, starting with a handful of gopher sites in the early 1990s to the present day official webpages for every member. (www.house.gov and www.senate.gov)

Thomas Jefferson

"A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government." -Thomas Jefferson

90th Anniversary of The Nineteenth Amendment

Today marks the 90th Anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment. This amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits each state and the federal government from denying any citizen the right to vote because of the citizen's sex, specifically guaranteeing all American women the right to vote. It was ratified on August 18, 1920.

The amendment was over 70 years in the making. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott organized the initial women's rights convention, the Seneca Falls Woman's Rights Convention, in July 1848, launching the woman suffrage movement.

President Woodrow Wilson announced his support on January 9, 1918 and the next day the House of Representatives passed the Amendment, sending it to the Senate for approval. The Senate did not act quickly, to say the least. They tabled the vote until October, and then failed to pass the amendment by three votes.

The National Woman's Party responded quickly to this Senate block and encouraged citizens to vote against the anti-suffrage Senators who were up for reelection. Following the midterm elections of 1918, most members of Congress were pro-suffrage, marking a real turning point for the woman suffrage movement.

The House passed the amendment again by a vote of 304 to 89, sending it back to the Senate. Two weeks later, on June 4, 1919, the Senate passed the Nineteenth Amendment by a vote of 56-25. The Tennessee General Assembly became the thirty-sixth state legislature to ratify the proposed amendment on August 18, 1920, meeting the constitutional requirement.

The remaining twelve states took over sixty years to add their ratifications of the 19th amendment. Mississippi was the last state to ratify the amendment, waiting until March 22, 1984!

James Madison - Two Things Required for a Democratic System To Work

"The House of Representatives was intended to be the most representative element of the United States government. James Madison, the primary author of the U.S. Constitution, explained that the House should have "an immediate dependence on, and an intimate sympathy with the people." In order for our democratic system to work the way our founding fathers imagined two things are required. First, the people must be informed. It is essential that we have a government that is open to the public and a media that is free from government influence. Second, the people must be involved. Americans must communicate their views, beliefs and ideas to their elected representatives." -Congressman Leonard L. Boswell, 3rd District, Iowa

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson once said, "I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but inform their discretion."

Thank You NWYC

"Since 1958, National Write Your Congressman has worked to truly make the United States a government 'of the people, by the people.' Your national letter writing campaign has helped elected officials gain a better understanding of what people across the nation are thinking. More importantly, these letters help guide and inform us about what decision we should make in Congress.

It is my honor to serve the people of the Third Congressional District of Colorado. I am always eager to learn what my constituents have to say and have pledged to do my best to represent the interests of rural Colorado. In this busy day and age, I appreciate it when people take the time to write me a letter and explain the issues that might be affecting them. I hope you continue your enthusiasm in the democratic process." -Congressman John T. Salazar, 3rd Dist. of Colorado

Encouraged to Write Congressman

"It is my job to consider and vote on dozens of bills every year that affect the constituents of Maryland's 2nd Congressional District. I consider legislation on everything from education to national defense to ways to improve our economy. It is critically important that I hear from my constituents as I make these important decisions.

I encourage citizens all across the country to write their congressman and let their voices be heard. I hope people will get involved and email, fax, call, or write their representative today." -Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Maryland, 2nd District

Constituent Opinion

"The job of a member of Congress relies to a large extent on his or her ability to work with colleagues from both sides of the aisle in advancing legislation which will benefit the entire nation. More importantly, however, congressmen depend heavily on the input of constituents in their districts regarding important issues of the day. I have been able to perform my job more effectively as a result of receiving opinions and suggestions from my constituents in the First District of Alabama. The correspondence and telephone calls I receive are an excellent way of gauging the views of the district as I consider new legislation and how it will affect the families of south Alabama." -Congressman Jo Bonner, 1st District, Alabama

Importance of Constituents Communication

"I cannot stress enough the importance of constituents communicating their feelings to their elected officials on important issues. As legislators, we are sent to Washington to serve the best interests of the people, and hearing from them on a regular basis allows us to keep a wide variety of opinions in mind.

I would like to thank National Write Your Congressman for the years of outstanding work in connecting people with their elected officials. This fine organization is helping to keep democracy and accountability alive in the United States Congress, and we value your service.

It is an honor to represent the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Indiana, and if I can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me." -Congressman Dan Burton, 5th District, Indiana

Letter to NWYC from Senator Edward M. Kennedy

"Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the importance of the correspondence I receive from my constituents. All too often, people underestimate the effectiveness of writing a letter or making a phone call to their representatives in Congress. In fact, it's the oxygen of our daily work. Serving the state of Massachusetts is the greatest privilege of my life. I care very deeply about what they think of the issues we're dealing with or should be dealing with, and how well we're dealing with them.

As an elected official, I deeply value and appreciate the feedback of my constituents. A current, in-depth appreciation of their needs and concerns is vital to the effectiveness of my work, and a major source of that understanding comes from the phone calls, the emails, and the letters I receive every day. It is through this contact that constituents are able to let me know of the issues that are most important to their lives, and I do my best to respond to their concerns.

I commend National Write Your Congressman for its leadership in involving members of communities in their government. Thank you for your work, and for providing me the occasion to discuss such an important issue, and for keeping all of us in Congress in closer touch with the constituents we serve." -Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts, Nov. 1, 2005

National Write Your Congressman

"During this unique time of peril and promise, Members of Congress confront a multitude of critical issues. When I cast my votes on the floor of the House of Representatives, I strive to reflect the values and views of the people of Southeast Texas - many of whose concerns I learn via the correspondence they submit to my office.

The participation of citizens in the democratic process constitutes a significant facet of our government. As Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world." Accordingly, I deeply appreciate National Write Your Congressman's contributions to encouraging political activism nationwide." -Congressman Ted Poe, 2nd District, Texas