National Write Your Congressman

"I cannot stress to you how much I value and appreciate the input and insights of individuals in the community I represent.  Whether it is by postal mail, e-mails, faxes, or phone calls, their concerns and opinions are very important to me as a United States Congressman.

I would like to thank you and National Write Your Congressman for the years of outstanding work in informing people about national issues and in helping them connect with their elected officials." -Congressman Chris Van Hollen, 8th District, Maryland

Constituent Opinion

"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 the 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 of constituent correspondence.  Keep up the good work!" -Congressman Jose' Serrano, New York, NY

Edmund Randolph - Founding Father

On May 29, 1787, Edmund Randolph introduced the Virginia Plan he and Madison had written to the Constitutional Convention.  It was the first time the idea of a new form of government was formally presented to the delegates by outlining the fifteen resolves that called for a national executive, judiciary, and legislature.

Randolph was not pleased with some of the additions and revisions to the Virginia Plan the delegates introduced and refused to sign the final document.  He later shocked anti-Federalists when he changed his mind making Virginia the 9th and final state needed to ratify the Constitution.  Patrick Henry accused him of only doing this because of a promised postion with the new government.  Randolph denied the accusation, but was named the United States first Attorney General right after Washington was elected.

50 Year Anniversary of the Peace Corps

On March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy issued an Executive Order #10924, establishing the Peace Corps as a new agency within the Department of State.  Thousands of young Americans answered the call to duty by volunteering.  The agency, which was headed by President Kennedy's brother-in-law, R. Sargent Shriver, chose 750 volunteers to serve in 13 nations.  The goal was to promote peace and friendship through 1) helping peoples of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women in development efforts; 2) to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served; and 3) to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Today more than 7,000 Peace Corps volunteers are serving in over 70 countries.  Since 1961, more than 180,000 American have joined the Peace Corps and served in 134 nations.