Detachments are urged to send the Legislative Commission e-mail contacts of your Legislative Chairman and/or Officers to the e-mail link below. All Detachments should submit their 2004-2005 Detachment Legislative Chairman List so the Commission can set up their Legislative Database. If your Detachment has not done so (or you are not sure), please submit the name of your chairman (their e-mail, address, and phone number would also be helpful). This information is needed to keep your members updated to the latest legislative activity coming out of Washington, DC. Thank you for your cooperation.

The National Legislative E-Group
   Keeping E-Group members updated and informed on current legislation is be of the utmost importance. Changes in Congress are constant and continual changes in information to our members are a must. The purpose of the E-Group is for a quick reaction force to address critical legislative issues. The members of this E-Group will be called upon for their assistance on very important legislative issues. This can be an effective system of lobbying and is critical that information regarding constant changes in E-Group Members and Congress be updated promptly. 
   The important point to be stressed is for the E-Group Member to partner themselves with the member of Congress with whom they have built a personal relationship with. All E-Group Members should make it their number one priority to establish a relationship on a first name basis with their respective Congressmen, to be able to communicate most effectively and quickly when the need arises. Detachment are urged to appoint members to the E-Group who have both a working knowledge of the legislative process and have a close working relationship with the Member of Congress. Detachments in making their selection should consider carefully, and choose wisely, the members who will serve on the E-Group. The success of the E-Group and the National Legislative Program will depend on it. The E-Group Member must receive a copy of the American Legion Dispatch in order to be informed and aware of current and pending legislative issues.

Legislative Action
   Members of the Sons of The American Legion can have a great impact on the lives of Veterans, our community, state and nation by taking an active role in Legislative issues. The most effective tool to have our voice and interest known is the letter writing campaign to elected officials. Always Remember, form letters are the least effective persuasion on elected officials. The most important way to get the Elected Officials’ attention is a personal letter written by YOU.  The elected official knows that if a member took the time to write a letter, the issue they are writing on is an important one to them. Remember, elected officials are always aware of upcoming elections and want to count on your vote. Always request a response in your written letter and when you receive it, send a Thank You note for their time and consideration. If it is a negative response, always be courteous, but strongly express your disappointment diplomatically, and still thank them for their time. It is of the utmost importance to keep the lines of communications open for future issues as they arise.
   Offer your assistance to your Post help them set up a Town Hall Meeting. Invite elected officials to speak at your Squadron and/or District Meetings. These are two ways to better get closer and personal with your elected officials, and to give you an excellent opportunity for them to get to know you and see you as a veterans’ advocate.

Grassroots Lobbying
   Lobbying on the Squadron level is an excellent method for the Sons of The American Legion is most effective. What are Lobbyists? They are a group of private individuals engaged in trying to influence legislators in favor of some special interest. The key word is “Persuasion.” Get close to the Aid to the Legislator. It is sometimes difficult to make an appointment or contact the Legislator with their hectic schedules, but the Aid always has access to him. Lobbying involves organizing other people (both members in your organization and members of other organization with similar issues) to try to change the Lawmaker’s vote in favor of issues The American Legion are supporting.
   If your Representative in Congress is a member of The Sons of The American Legion, this can be most beneficial. Your key objective should be to “zero” in on him and continue your campaign so that he will soon recognize your name and organization when he sees it. Write personal letters, send personal e-mails, send telegrams, and make telephone calls concerning issues that The American Legion is supporting. All Detachment Legislative Chairmen should forward all replies from Members of Congress, Senators, and/or the White House, to the American Legion National Legislative Commission and the Sons of The American Legion National Legislative Commission in a timely manner. This is most useful to the Commission in developing a more effective legislative strategy on certain issues. Send replies to:

Steve Robertson, Director
National Legislative Division
The American Legion
1608 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006-2847

George B. Evans, Chairman
National Legislative Commission
Sons of The American Legion
6011 S. Kilbourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60629

Congressional Record
   Be proud of all your accomplishments of the Sons of The American Legion and let others know it. Any outstanding activities and/or special projects should be sent to your Congressional Delegation requesting them to include the information in the Congressional Record. The Congressional Record is the official diary of the U.S. Congress. It would be a great public relations tool to let our Congressional Leaders know how much we do on behalf of our Veterans, communities, state, and nation. It is also important to let them know how much we also do with our younger members in our Squadron and our communities.

The American Legion DISPATCH
   A periodical publication from the American Legion National Headquarters contains vital information on legislative developments as well as legislative programs, concerns and other issues of great importance to The American Legion. Sons of The American Legion Legislative Chairmen on all levels are encouraged to subscribe to the DISPATCH. This publication is a great tool to stay informed of pending legislative issues and a great resource for chairmen when writing letters, preparing bulletins and/or reporting to their membership. A great idea is considering purchasing gift subscriptions to be donated to local libraries, congressional representatives, VA Medical Centers and Homes, and state representatives. Squadrons, Districts, and Detachments are urged to subscribe to The DISPATCH to report at meetings and in newsletters. An Order Form is included and should be mailed along with check to:

The Legislative Handbook
   Another publication of the National Legislative Commission of The American Legion describing the importance of legislation to all programs of The American Legion Family, why individual participation is necessary, and providing guidelines as to how and when to respond. An Order Form is included and should be mailed along with check to:
National Legislative Commission

How to Make a Difference Through Effective Grassroots Lobbying
   This publication walks the member through Grassroots Lobbying from the basics to proven techniques that work. The member is taught how to be successful at grassroots lobbying. This publication is available and can be purchased through Emblem Sales.

The Legislative Action Center
   Another most useful tool is the American Legion Legislative Action Center. Simply go to The American Legion Home page, http://www.legion.org, and then click on Legislative Action Center. Insert your own e-mail address and it will send all copies of alerts directly to you. You can also find up-to-date information and votes on current bills pending in Washington. A list of bills currently approved by the American Legion as the Legislative Program is available, with links as to current status of bills. This site contains a wealth of information to offer you the member the tools to lobbying effectively.

The Sons of The American Legion National Legislative Commission Web Page
   Another useful tool is the Sons of The American Legion National Legislative Commission Web Page. This Web Site can be attained by logging on to the National Sons of The American Legion Home Page, www.sal.legion.org, and then click on Committees and Commissions, and then click on Legislative Commission. Here you will see all members of the National Legislative Commission, with e-mail links for each commission member. Click on Legislative Commission Web Page and you will have access to information to the National Sons of The American Legion Legislative Program. This page includes information on Commission Members, the Annual Washington Conference, and Links to useful legislative tools, including the Sons of The American Legion National Legislative Priorities. This site is yet another great source of information in assisting the member in becoming a better Grassroots Lobbyist. 

For information on the status of a bill pending
In the Senate or House of Representative:    1-202-225-1772

A recording providing an update of events on the 
floor of the Senate from a Democratic prospective:   1-202-224-8541

A recording providing an update of events on the 
floor of the Senate from a Republican prospective:   1-202-224-8601

A recording providing an update of events on the floor of 
the House of Representative from a Democratic prospective: 1-202-224-7400

A recording providing an update of events on the floor of 
the House of Representative from a Republican prospective: 1-202-225-7430
 
 

EXECUTIVE
The White House  http://www.whitehouse.gov

JUDICIARY
Supreme Court of the United States  http://www.supremecourtus.gov

LEGISLATIVE
U.S. House of Representative http://www.house.gov
Clerk of the House  http://www.clerkweb.house.gov
Currently on the House Floor http://www.gpoaccess.gov
U.S. Senate   http://www.senate.gov
U.S. Senate Calendar of Business  http://www.gpoaccess.gov/legislative.html

Thomas Legislative Information on the Internet for Legislative bill information:
    http://thomas.loc.gov

Congressional Record  http://www.gpoaccess.gov/crecord/index.html
Library of Congress  http://www.loc.gov
U.S. Census Bureau  http://www.census.gov

OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES

Committee on Veterans Affairs for the U.S. House of Representative 
             http://www.veterans.house.gov

Committee on Veterans Affairs for the U.S. Senate
 (From website, Select Committee, then Veterans Affairs)  http://www.senate.gov

Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page
Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents
Department of Veterans Affairs Gulf War Veterans
Illnesses Home Page   http://www.va.gov

Military Funeral Honors    http://www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil

Arlington National Cemetery http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org

Replacing Military Record/National Archives
   (From the “Where is…?” How do I…? Menu, 
     select Veterans Service Records)   http://www.nara.gov

Federal Jobs for Veterans http://www.usajobs.opm.gov

VA Home Loans  http://www.homeloans.va.gov

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans   http://www.nchv.org

Capitol Advantage  http://capitoladvantage.com/h2
 
 

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Do you subscribe to The American Legion Dispatch?

(Circle One)
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Sons of The American Legion

Publication                                 Price/Ea.             Quantity      Total Price

Legislative Handbook                 100 @ $6.00

How a Thought Becomes a Bill
How a Bill Becomes a Law         100 @ $9.00
                                                                                    Total     $

Please make check or money order payable to The American Legion and send to the above address. Please return one copy of this order form with your remittance and retain one copy for your records. 

The DISPATCH

The DISPATCH is an American Legion National Legislative Commission periodical published semi-monthly, except for September and December. Its articles contain information on legislative developments as well as many programs and concerns of The American Legion. Sons of The American Legion Legislative Chairmen on all levels should subscribe to The DISPATCH, and all members of our organization are encouraged to subscribe. The DISPATCH subscriptions are $15.00 per year.
 
 

For a one (1) year subscription to The DISPATCH,  send a $15.00 check or money order, Payable to The American Legion to:

Editor, The DISPATCH
The American Legion
P.O. Box 1055
Indianapolis, IN 46206

SUBSCRIBER:
NAME ______________________________________________________
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(The DISPATCH will be sent to the subscriber unless otherwise indicated below)
 

IF SENDING THIS ONE YEAR’S SUBSCRIPTION TO ANOTHER RECIPIENT AS A GIFT,
PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

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If member of The Sons of The American Legion