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Community Activism

National Arab American Lobby Day: Sample Letter

Posted on Wednesday March 21, 2007

Below is a sample letter to help you request a meeting with your senator or representative. Just copy the letter, replace the text in [brackets] with the relevant details for your representative, and fax and/or email the letter to his/her district office.

[Date]
Representative or Senator [Jane Smith]
[Nearest District Office Address]
ATTN: [Scheduler’s Name, fax number]

Dear [Representative/Senator Smith]:

As your constituent and a member of the Arab American Institute, I am writing to request a meeting on [day, date and time] in your district office in order to hear from you and share the concerns and perspectives of the Arab American community. [If appropriate, briefly mention any additional credentials (appointed office, role in local Arab American organizations, volunteering on campaign, party work) that would convince the scheduler to make you a priority.]

[If possible, say something positive about your member’s leadership on the issue. For information on your congressional member’s record, visit AAI’s 2006 Congressional Scorecard]

I will be available to meet with you at your district office during your August recess, preferably on ________, to discuss specific issues further. I would like to bring with me my colleagues, [list colleagues, if applicable], also from [your state/district].

I look forward to meeting with you.

Respectfully yours,

[Dr./Mr./Mrs._____________ ]
[Address]
[PHONE NUMBERS]
[E-mail address]