God Bless Our Troops

Our Midwestern Region manager, Tim Smith, is the proud father of Captain Kyle Smith who is serving our country in Iraq.  The following was sent to Tim by his son.

"Please let your colleagues know how important I think your work is.  The military and NWYC work toward the same end - to ensure the freedom we enjoy in America is preserved.  We fight different battles, but they are both worth fighting.  I am proud of the work you do, Dad, and feel honored that your company values our military so highly."

May God bless our troops in all they do.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Quotes

"Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of free people and who would preserve what is good and fruitful in our national heritage." -Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of United States

"Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebel men and women who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine.  As their heirs, may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion." -Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of United States

Exercise Your Voice

"We live in a democracy, which functions best when there is free expression and exchange of ideas.  From free discussion and exchange, the best ideas or course of action will eventually be adopted." -Former Congressman, James T. Walsh, 25th Dist. New York.

The Constituent's Vehicle

"The creation of a more perfect union is the goal, and citizen expression is the mechanism by which we achieve that goal.  In order for our nation to reach its full potential, we must act as responsible citizens and communicate our beliefs on issues to those individuals who represent us.  Thus, constituent communication is the most important vehicle by which constituents exercise their role in our great democracy." -Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, 2nd District, Mississippi

On This Day In History

On September 25, 1789, the first Congress of the United States approved 12 amendments to the U.S. Constitution and sent them to the states for ratification.  The amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were designed to protect the basic rights of U.S. citizens, guaranteeing the freedom of speech, press, assembly, and exercise of religion, the right to fair legal procedure and to bear arms, and that powers not delegated to the federal government were reserved for the states and the people.

Fighting To Defend The American Way Of LIfe

"One of the first responsibilities of our freedom is to vote.  Equally important responsibilities are to become informed and to make your opinion known to your elected officials.  Our forefathers put their lives on the line to earn our freedom and frame our Representative Republic.  Our nation's brave soldiers have been fighting to defend this American way of life for over 230 years.  I hope that no one takes our freedoms for granted.

I challenge every American to be active in our government and I applaud the National Write Your Congressman campaign which aspires to achieve this goal.  Remember OUR government IS the people." -Philip M. Crane, MC, Former Congressman 8th Dist. of Illinois

National Write Your Congressman

"National Write Your Congressman is a unique organization that is an important tool for my constituents and my office.  The organization serves as a conduit, making contacting elected representatives in Washington, DC easy and providing a non-partisan way for people to stay informed and involved.

Thank you again for all your organization does to keep the American public informed.  I look forward to future communication from your members." -Congressman John Boozman, 3rd District, Arkansas

John F. Kennedy Quotes

"A nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people." -President John F. Kennedy

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." -President John F. Kennedy

Constituent Power

"Concerned citizens are the backbone of our country and their vigilance is the key ingredient which ensures that the government continues to serve the people.  Too often though, people feel as if they are powerless to affect the world around them, not realizing the importance that a letter can have to their congressional representative." -Congressman John Conyers, Jr, 14th District, Michigan

Constituent Opinion

"I believe that our government works best when individuals are active in informing their representatives about what's important to them." -Congressman Jerry Lewis, R-41st, California

Help Cutting Through Red Tape

"I'm always glad to help constituents who are encountering difficulties with federal agencies.  My offices can act as a liaison between the citizens of Texas and the federal government.

It is important to know that neither I, nor my staff, can approve a claim or appeal, or compel any agency to act in your favor.  Those types of decisions by law are made by the federal agency involved based on the facts of the case.  However, I am glad to obtain answers to our questions, to make the appropriate officials aware of your concerns, and to cut through 'red tape' you might be experiencing." -Congressman Pete Sessions, 32nd District, Texas

Empowering The People

"Correspondence with constituents is key to ensuring the concerns of the people represented by Congress are fully addressed.  The National Write Your Congressman program is an exceptional organization that empowers and encourages constituents to voice their opinions in the most effective manner.  This service is invaluable to representatives.  Further, those who express their concerns through this correspondence are often the individuals most dedicated to generating positive growth in their communities." -Julia Carson, Congresswoman 7th Dist., Indiana 2005

Article I

"Article 1 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." -Congressman Spencer Bachus, 6th District, Alabama

In Honor of 9/11

The Mighty Giant

By Claudia Sullins

America you are beautiful,

God has blessed your sweet soul.

You have risen from the ashes,

with no enemy to reap his toll.

The darkest of black approached your shore,

and pierced your heart with its evil sword.

With a cry of victory they lifted their fists,

for killing the Giant was their own reward.

Woe unto them with dark screams of power,

and blind thirst for blood clouding their vision.

They misjudged the Giant and Her mighty strength,

as she rose with a vengeance; denying their mission.

A lesson should be learned when attacking the Giant,

Her people are strong, resilient, and undaunted.

Her history is blessed with victory and protection,

for God is Her master, and She the anointed.

America you are beautiful,

God has blessed your sweet soul.

You have risen from the ashes,

with no enemy to reap his toll.

Light Your Candle

"Eleanor Roosevelt once said, 'It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.' I encourage everyone to light that candle and let their views be known to their representatives in Washington, DC." -Senator Mary L. Landrieu, Louisiana

Vital Part of Our American Democracy

"Contacting a member of Congress, whether through writing a letter, sending an e-mail or fax, or just picking up the phone is a vital part of our American democracy. Without hearing from those on whose behalf we are sent to Washington, we cannot truly be a "Representative" of the people. I would urge all interested citizens to let their Representative or Senator know how they feel on the issues..." -Ray LaHood, Congressman from the 18th District Illinois 2004

James Madison Quotes

-And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in showing that religion and Government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.

-Americans have the right and advantage of being armed-unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.

-Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government.

-It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.

Learning From Constituents

"I often hear from individuals who participate in the National Write Your Congressman Organization, and I take pleasure in reading the comments. I also receive many phone calls and emails at the direction of them.

Listening to and learning from constituents is the most important part of my job. Many complex issues come before Congress, and it is a difficult task to sort through many of those issues. Hearing the views of the people I represent helps lighten the burden of that task." -Congressman Dave Camp, 4th District, Michigan

Labor Day

Labor Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September. The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882, when, following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. The September date was chosen as Cleveland was concerned that aligning an American labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair. All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday.

Responsible Citizens - Made Not Born

"Our government is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. It does not run on autopilot. It requires responsible citizens. It requires engaged citizens. And, these kinds of citizens are made, not born." -Michael C. Burgess US Congress 2nd Dist. Texas 2005