5 Minutes To Make A Difference

Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote, 'The pen is mightier than sword'.  Did you know you can write a letter to your State Representatives?   All it takes is 5 minutes of your time. If you think that you won't be heard, here are just a few weirdest laws that recently passed in these states:

1. Missouri legalizes shooting people in your section
2. Florida makes it illegal for homeless people to own stuff
3. Oklahoma bans increase in minimum wage
4. Oklahoma punishes solar and wind producers
5. Tennessee outlaws high-speed mass transit

Source:http://www.salon.com

Attached is linked to where you can find your State Representatives and a simple sample letter.

Take 5 minutes to make a difference in yours and people lives around you. Let them know that you don't want toxins in your clothing and that their clothes maybe harmful to them, their families, and the environment.  Let your voice be heard!  

http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

You may write any Member of the House at:
Post Office Box 11867
Columbia, S.C. 29211-1867

House Mailing List (Word .docx) Merge format.

 

The sample letter below is provided to show the correct format for addressing your State House Representative.  It is impossible to provide one letter that would meet the needs of all students; so, you will need to personalize your letter to address your concerns or issues regarding legislation.  Please use the left-hand column as a guide for the format, but make the letter unique to your needs!

 

Return Address         Date     Representative’s Address         Salutation     Introduce yourself:  your name, address and school to identify that you are a constituent   Why are you writing your Representative?            Ask for a response         Thank your Representative for his/her time   Closing with your name

Your Name Address City, S.C.  Zip Code     [Insert Date]     The Honorable [Insert Representative’s Name] Post Office Box 11867 Columbia, S.C.  29211-1867     Dear Representative [Insert Last Name]:     My name is [Insert Your Name] and I reside at [Insert Your Address] in [Insert Your City], South Carolina.  I am in the fourth grade at [Insert Your School].      I am writing you to ask that you help make school buses safer to ride.  I ride the bus to and from school every day.  [Be specific with your suggestion, idea or request.  If you are writing about a specific Bill, include the Bill Number - for example, H. 5400 or. S. 2815]     I appreciate your help and ask that you please send me a response letting me know if you are able to pass a Bill that would make our school buses safer to ride.     Thank you for your time and considering my request.     Sincerely,   [Insert Your Name]