Wed, 24 Dec 2003 00:50:42 GMT

A real letter to my congressmen

Requesting he propose a law requiring members of congress to attend an adivisory session with Washington D.C. resident before overturn a law we established.

Dear Congressmen Van Hollen,

I am writing to request that you propose a bill that would require the sponsors of any bills that would overturn District of Columbia laws, to participate in an advisory session with District residents. Since the District has no members of Congress with full voting rights and is not protected from federal intrusion by the standard limits of our federalist system, it seems only fair that District have a right to discuss any law that would overturn laws passed by their own elected officials.

Currently almost all members of the House of Representatives and most Senators will only accept mail from their own constituents, so residents of the District of Colombia are locked out the customary means of communicating with voting members of Congress. Many residents of your district have lived in the in D.C. and understand and sympathize with the difficult situation of District residents. Since there is great back and forth between your district and Washington D.C supporting the district would be in the best interests of your constituents.

A model for this advisory session bill would include the following:

1. Upon presenting a bill that would overturn existing local law passed by the District of Columbia government, any member of congress who sponsors the aforementioned bill must participate in a ninety-minute advisory session open to all residents of Washington D.C.

2. At least half the advisory session must be devoted to question and answer discussion of the bill.

3. The member or members of Congress must notify the members of the city council, and the mayor’s office of the location and time of the advisory session ten days in advance.

4. The location of the advisory sessions must be within the District of Columbia.

5. All sponsors of a bill that would overturn a District of Columbia law would be obligated to accept and respond to mail about the aforementioned bill from residents of Washington D.C.

6. The advisory session must be held in Washington D.C., in a location able to hold at least fifty residents. If the District Government is unable to provide an adequate space, the member of Congress hosting the advisory session must provide the space for advisory session. A committee room would adequate.

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 21:45:10 GMT

Letter No. 1 That I don't expect to get a reply from the recipent

(Sent via E-mail two weeks ago)

Dear Vice President Richard Cheney

I recently read that while a member of Congress Vice-President Richard
Cheney voted against a resolution that called for the South African
government to release Nelson Mandela.

Is it still the Vice President's position that the resolution was in
error? If so what was the reason for the vote.

If it is no longer the Vice President's position that the resolution
was incorrect, has the Vice-President ever explained why he changed his
mind?
Could you please write or E-mail a response to the question of the 1986
resolution.

Thank you very much for the time spent answering the concerns and
questions of the many citizens of this great country

Christopher Brown: My Legislative Action Center