Nursing

1. Letter to Legislator
DUE DATE: Sunday, June 17 (MIDNIGHT)
One of the most frustrating problems confronting
the nation--any democracy--is the failure of citizens
to participate in governance.
We have learned that a functioning democracy
requires an educated citizenry but we often fail to
participate in educating elected and appointed
officials.
We also neglect to inform our peers.
Nurses are valued members of society.
We are respected for competence and compassion.
Part of our professional role includes educating
others.
The assignment provides an opportunity to practice
this task.

2. Questions?
• Who is my Representative/Senator?
• Where do I go to find this information?
• What do I need to include in my letter?
• When is the assignment due?
• How should I word my letter?
• Why do I need to send letters?

3. Who is my Representative/Senator?
• Who Represents Me?
Home About | Contact
• Find District
– By Address
– By Zip
– By City
– By County
• Member Information
– By District
– By Name
• District Information
– All Info
– Profiles
– Reports
– Maps
• Street Address: Notice:
• Read cautions about matching addresses to districts.
Districts for the 2012 elections are listed after the current districts.
• City: , TX ZIP Code: District Type:
Who Represents Me provides information about current districts and members of the Texas Senate, Texas House
of Representatives, the Texas delegation to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and the State Board of
Education. Find out when information about new districts and new members is added to the website.

4. Where do I go to find this
information?
You can find this information in an interactive
web site that is easy to use.
http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

5. What do I need to include in my letter?
• Letter to Elected Official (President, Secretary of HHS, Senator,
• Representative, Governor, State Legislators)
• Each student writes one letter to a state or federal legislator on a problem, concern, or idea related
to health care in the U.S. The letter must be typed, single spaced, no more than one page, space
between paragraphs. It should generally follow the pattern below:
• Your first and last name typed
• Senior nursing student
• Criteria for Successful Completion
• 1. Content
• a. address only one topic
• b. make a specific recommendation
• c. identify the problem early in the letter
• d. give rationale for your viewpoint using experiences, publications, or conversation with others.
• 2. Semantics
• a. Appropriate representative is selected, e.g., federal level action requires a federal level official,
not state; if the bill has passed one house be sure to write the representative of the next branch to
consider the action; if the bill has passed both houses, write the governor or president.
• b. Introductory sentence or paragraph identifying the problem or issue and request for a specific
action
• c. One to two paragraphs giving data to support the existence of the particular problem or issue.
Explain the rational for suggesting a specific action.
• d. Conclusion paragraph with an abbreviated request for a specific action
• 3. Format (grammar, one page, paragraphing, spelling, correct tense, neat layout). Use business
letter format. Include a return address, date. Properly address letter and use appropriate titles (see
sample letter above). Addresses and titles of current legislators are available online.
• Submission Process
• 1) Submit a draft of your letter online within the course in the “Letter” drop box.
• 2) Keep a copy of the letter so that you can mail it after you are notified of any necessary changes.
• The letter is due by midnight on Sunday June 17, 2010

6. When is the assignment due?
• DUE DATE:
• Sunday, June 17, 2012
• (By MIDNIGHT)

7. How should I word my letter?
• Sample of Political Action Letter
• Your street address
City, State, Zip code
Date
• The Honorable_______
Street address
City, state zip code
• Dear President Obama,
• Introductory paragraph. Include specific action you are requesting the elected
official to take.
• A paragraph explaining significance, why this action needs to be taken. Information
can come from personal experience or the literature. This is where you provide
support for the action you want taken. It may take one or two paragraphs.
• Final paragraph repeats the action you want taken. Include a sentence thanking
the elected official for their consideration. You may also offer to provide further
information to staff members.
• Sincerely,
• Your written signature

8. Why do I need to send letters?
• Nurses are valued members of society.
• We are respected for competence and
compassion.
• Part of our professional role includes educating
others.
• The assignment provides an opportunity to
practice this task.