For United States Representatives:
United States Representative ______________ 6th District1530 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515
Greeting: Dear Representative ______________:
Always include your last name and address on
the letter itself (printed or typed).
A letter
cannot be answered if there is no return address or the signature is not
legible.
Use your own words. Form letters and petitions tend to be identified as organized
pressure campaigns and are often answered with form replies.
One thoughtful, factual, and well-reasoned
letter carries more weight than a hundred form letters or printed postcards.
Try to write to your legislator while a bill is still in
committee and there is still time to take effective action.Sometimes a bill is out of committee, or has
been passed, before a helpful, informative letter arrives which could
have made a difference in the way the bill was written or in the final decision.
Know what you are writing about. Identify the bill or issue of concern to you.Thousands of bills and resolutions are
introduced each session.If you write
about a bill, try to give the bill number or a popular title such as "the
Assault Weapons ban."
Many issues are complex, but a single page, presenting your
opinions, facts, arguments, or proposals as clearly as possible, is preferred
and welcomed by most legislators.
Give reasons for your position. Explain how the issue would affect you or your family, business,
or profession or the effect on our community or our state. If you have specialized knowledge or statistics that may not have been made available to your legisltor, share
it.Concrete,
expert arguments for or against the bill can be used by the legislator in
determining the final outcome of a bill.
If you feel a bill deals with a real problem but takes the wrong
approach, tell what you think is the right approach.
Determine your priority concerns and contact legislators on
those specific issues rather than on every issue.Legislators are not looking for pen pals who writes every few days on
every conceivable subject. This tends to become a nuisance, rather than an effective
voice of concern.
You may not always receive a long, detailed
response. Legislators are very
busy and usually cannot respond with long, personal replies to each
correspondent.
Write a letter of appreciation when you feel a legislator
has done a good job. Legislators are
human, too, and seldom receive thank-you letters or letters of encouragement.
Letters to the Editor:
First:
Respond to a specific item
of an opposition viewpoint or quotation in your paper. Write a simple, clear, and correct letter, generally in 250 words or less.
Again, give reasons for your position. Explain how the issue would affect you or your family, business,
or profession or the effect on our community or our state. If you have specialized knowledge or statistics that may not have been made available to the public, share
it.Concrete,
expert arguments for or against the bill can make a difference.
If you feel a bill deals with a real problem but takes the wrong
approach, tell what you think is the right approach.
Some papers have even shorter limits; for example, the Lansing State
Journal generally allows 150 words at most. Some larger papers also
allow guest editorials, which can run from 500 to 700 words. Check your
paper's editorial page so you know for sure before you begin.
Next:
Target
your message to the news consumer, not at a columnist or editor. You may never change an editor's mind, but a well reasoned argument may change a member of the public's mind. Write to them.
Write a letter every month, and address it to as specific a name or
title as possible. For example, the Battle
Creek Enquirer’s letters to the editor section is called Readers’
Views; the address is 155 West Van Buren; Battle Creek, MI 49016. The
fax number is 269-964-0299; the e-mail address for letters to the editor is
that of editorial-page editor Steve Smith:
SSmith@battlecr.gannett.com.
A list of newspapers is
available
here, here and here or following the list of legislators below. Give your address (physical and/or e-mail, as appropriate) and phone
number in your letter, so the paper can contact you if needed.
If you are mailing a printed copy, sign the
letter.Enclose or attach selected fact
sheets, clippings, etc. as back-up.
Your vigilance, your interest, your expertise, and your voice help make
life better for the citizens in your community. Now - get those cards, letters, emails and phone calls moving!
District Representative Phone Email
001 Edward Gaffney 517-373-0154 EMAIL
002 Kenneth Daniels 517-373-0106 EMAIL
003 Artina Tinsley Hardman 517-373-1776 EMAIL
004 Mary Waters 517-373-1008 EMAIL
005 Bill McConico 517-373-0144 EMAIL
006 Marsha Cheeks 517-373-0844 EMAIL
007 Virgil Smith 517-373-0589 EMAIL
008 Alma Stallworth 517-373-2276 EMAIL
009 Tupac Hunter 517-373-1705 EMAIL
010 Triette Reeves 517-373-6990 EMAIL
011 Morris Hood, III 517-373-3815 EMAIL
012 Steve Tobocman 517-373-0823 EMAIL
013 Barbara Farrah 517-373-0845 EMAIL
014 William O'Neil 517-373-0140 EMAIL
015 Gary Woronchak 517-373-0847 EMAIL
016 Jim Plakas 517-373-0849 EMAIL
017 Daniel Paletko 517-373-0857 EMAIL
018 Glenn Anderson 517-373-2576 EMAIL
019 John Pastor 517-373-3920 EMAIL
020 John Stewart 517-373-3816 EMAIL
021 Philip LaJoy 517-373-2575 EMAIL
022 Hoon-Yung Hopgood 517-373-0852 EMAIL
023 Kathleen Law 517-373-0855 EMAIL
024 Jack Brandenburg 517-373-0113 EMAIL
025 Steve Bieda 517-373-1772 EMAIL
026 David Woodward 517-373-3818 EMAIL
027 Andy Meisner 517-373-0478 EMAIL
028 Lisa Wojno 517-373-2275 EMAIL
029 Clarence Phillips 517-373-0475 EMAIL
030 Sal Rocca 517-373-7768 EMAIL
031 Paul Gieleghem 517-373-0159 EMAIL
032 Daniel Acciavatti 517-373-8931 EMAIL
033 Leon Drolet 517-373-0820 EMAIL
034 Brenda Clack 517-373-8808 EMAIL
035 Paul Condino 517-373-1788 EMAIL
036 Brian Palmer 517-373-0843 EMAIL
037 Aldo Vagnozzi 517-373-1793 EMAIL
038 Craig DeRoche 517-373-0827 EMAIL
039 Marc Shulman 517-373-1799 EMAIL
040 Shelley Taub 517-373-8670 EMAIL
041 John Pappageorge 517-373-1783 EMAIL
042 Frank Accavitti 517-373-0854 EMAIL
043 Fran Amos 517-373-0615 EMAIL
044 John Stakoe 517-373-2616 EMAIL
045 John Garfield 517-373-1773 EMAIL
046 Ruth Johnson 517-373-1798 EMAIL
047 Joe Hune 517-373-8835 EMAIL
048 John Gleason 517-373-7557 EMAIL
049 Jack Minore 517-373-7515 EMAIL
050 Paula Zelenko 517-373-3906 EMAIL
051 David Robertson 517-373-1780 EMAIL
052 Gene DeRossett 517-373-0828 EMAIL
053 Chris Kolb 517-373-2577 EMAIL
054 Ruth Ann Jamnick 517-373-1771 EMAIL
055 Matt Milosch 517-373-1792 EMAIL
056 Randy Richardville 517-373-2617 EMAIL
057 Doug Spade 517-373-1706 EMAIL
058 Bruce Caswell 517-373-1794 EMAIL
059 Rick Shaffer 517-373-0832 EMAIL
060 Alexander Lipsey 517-373-1785 EMAIL
061 Jack Hoogendyk 517-373-1774 EMAIL
062 Mike Nofs 517-373-0555 EMAIL
063 Lorence Wenke 517-373-1787 EMAIL
064 Clark Bisbee 517-373-1795 EMAIL
065 Vacant 517-373-1775 EMAIL
066 Chris Ward 517-373-1784 EMAIL
067 Dianne Byrum 517-373-0587 EMAIL
068 Michael Murphy 517-373-0826 EMAIL
069 Gretchen Whitmer 517-373-1786 EMAIL
070 Judy Emmons 517-373-0834 EMAIL
071 Susan Tabor 517-373-0853 EMAIL
072 Glenn Steil 517-373-0840 EMAIL
073 Doug Hart 517-373-0218 EMAIL
074 William VanRegenmorter 517-373-8900 EMAIL
075 Jerry Kooiman 517-373-2668 EMAIL
076 Michael Sak 517-373-0822 EMAIL
077 Joanne Voorhees 517-373-2277 EMAIL
078 Neal Nitz 517-373-1796 EMAIL
079 Charles LaSata 517-373-1403 EMAIL
080 Mary Ann Middaugh 517-373-0839 EMAIL
081 Lauren Hager 517-373-1790 EMAIL
082 John Stahl 517-373-1800 EMAIL
083 Stephen Ehardt 517-373-0835 EMAIL
084 Tom Meyer 517-373-0476 EMAIL
085 Larry Julian 517-373-0841 EMAIL
086 James Koetje 517-373-0846 EMAIL
087 Gary Newell 517-373-0842 EMAIL
088 Fulton Sheen 517-373-0836 EMAIL
089 Barb Vander Veen 517-373-0838 EMAIL
090 Bill Huizenga 517-373-0830 EMAIL
091 David Farhat 517-373-3436 EMAIL
092 Julie Dennis 517-373-2646 EMAIL
093 Scott Hummel 517-373-1778 EMAIL
094 Jim Howell 517-373-0837 EMAIL
095 Carl M. Williams 517-373-0152 EMAIL
096 Joseph Rivet 517-373-0158 EMAIL
097 Jennifer Elkins 517-373-8962 EMAIL
098 John Moolenaar 517-373-1791 EMAIL
099 Sandra Caul 517-373-1789 EMAIL
100 Mike Pumford 517-373-7317 EMAIL
101 David Palsrok 517-373-0825 EMAIL
102 Rick Johnson 517-373-1747 EMAIL
103 Dale Sheltrown 517-373-3817 EMAIL
104 Howard Walker 517-373-1766 EMAIL
105 Kenneth Bradstreet 517-373-0829 EMAIL
106 Matthew Gillard 517-373-0833 EMAIL
107 Scott Shackleton 517-373-2629 EMAIL
108 Tom Casperson 517-373-0156 EMAIL
109 Stephen Adamini 517-373-0498 EMAIL
110 Rich Brown 517-373-0850 EMAIL
US Mail for all Senators can be addressed as follows:
Senator Name
Post Office Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
President of the Senate
Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry
Office Location: S-215 Capitol Building
Office Phone: (517) 373-6800
Jason Allen
Republican of District 37
Office Phone: (517) 373-2413
Office Location: 820 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Jim Barcia
Democrat of District 31
Office Phone: (517) 373-1777
Office Location: 1010 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Raymond E. Basham
Democrat of District 8
Office Phone: (517) 373-7800
Office Location: 715 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Virg Bernero
Democrat of District 23
Office Phone: (517) 373-1734
Office Location: 415 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Patricia L. Birkholz
Republican of District 24
Office Phone: (517) 373-3447
Office Location: 805 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Michael Bishop
Republican of District 12
Office Phone: (517) 373-2417
Office Location: 605 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Liz Brater
Democrat of District 18
Office Phone: (517) 373-2406
Office Location: 510 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Cameron Brown
Republican of District 16
Office Phone: (517) 373-5932
Office Location: 205 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Nancy Cassis
Republican of District 15
Office Phone: (517) 373-1758
Office Location: 305 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Deborah Cherry
Democrat of District 26
Office Phone: (517) 373-1636
Office Location: 910 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Irma Clark-Coleman
Democrat of District 3
Office Phone: (517) 373-0990
Office Location: 310 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Hansen Clarke
Democrat of District 1
Office Phone: (517) 373-7346
Office Location: 710 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Alan L. Cropsey
Republican of District 33
Office Phone: (517) 373-3760
Office Location: 1005 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Robert L. Emerson
Democrat of District 27
Office Phone: (517) 373-0142
Office Location: S-105 Capitol
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Valde Garcia
Republican of District 22
Office Phone: (517) 373-2420
Office Location: S-132 Capitol
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Thomas M. George
Republican of District 20
Office Phone: (517) 373-0793
Office Location: 320 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Judson Gilbert II
Republican of District 25
Office Phone: (517) 373-7708
Office Location: 705 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Mike Goschka
Republican of District 32
Office Phone: (517) 373-1760
Office Location: S-2 Capitol
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Beverly S. Hammerstrom
Republican of District 17
Office Phone: (517) 373-3543
Office Location: S-8 Capitol
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Bill Hardiman
Republican of District 29
Office Phone: (517) 373-1801
Office Location: 915 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Gilda Z. Jacobs
Democrat of District 14
Office Phone: (517) 373-7888
Office Location: 1015 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Ron Jelinek
Republican of District 21
Office Phone: (517) 373-6960
Office Location: 405 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Shirley Johnson
Republican of District 13
Office Phone: (517) 373-2523
Office Location: S-324 Capitol
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Wayne Kuipers
Republican of District 30
Office Phone: (517) 373-6920
Office Location: 1020 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Burton Leland
Democrat of District 5
Office Phone: (517) 373-0994
Office Location: 315 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Michelle McManus
Republican of District 35
Office Phone: (517) 373-1725
Office Location: 905 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Dennis Olshove
Democrat of District 9
Office Phone: (517) 373-8360
Office Location: 920 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Bruce Patterson
Republican of District 7
Office Phone: (517) 373-7350
Office Location: 505 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Michael Prusi
Democrat of District 38
Office Phone: (517) 373-7840
Office Location: 515 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Alan Sanborn
Republican of District 11
Office Phone: (517) 373-7670
Office Location: S-310 Capitol
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Mark Schauer
Democrat of District 19
Office Phone: (517) 373-2426
Office Location: S-9 Capitol
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Martha G. Scott
Democrat of District 2
Office Phone: (517) 373-7748
Office Location: 220 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Kenneth K. Sikkema
Republican of District 28
Office Phone: (517) 373-0797
Office Location: S-106 Capitol
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Tony Stamas
Republican of District 36
Office Phone: (517) 373-7946
Office Location: 720 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Michael Switalski
Democrat of District 10
Office Phone: (517) 373-7315
Office Location: 410 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Samuel Buzz Thomas, III
Democrat of District 4
Office Phone: (517) 373-7918
Office Location: 610 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Laura M. Toy
Republican of District 6
Office Phone: (517) 373-1707
Office Location: 520 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL
Gerald VanWoerkom
Republican of District 34
Office Phone: (517) 373-1635
Office Location: 420 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: EMAIL