Sample Letter

<< Date >>

The Honorable << Name >>
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative/Senator << Name >>:

As one of your constituents and an advocate for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, I write to ask you to help make a difference for people with Down syndrome, their families and their communities by joining the Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome.

Despite being the leading cause of developmental delay in the U.S., Down syndrome has been one of the least funded genetic conditions by the NIH for nearly two decades. After the October 2017 House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, Education, and Related Services hearing on Down syndrome research we were pleased to see NIH increase Down syndrome research funding for the first time in almost twenty years. We believe if we can keep this up, it will lead to increased lifespan and improved quality of life for the hundreds of thousands of Americans with Down syndrome.

<< Briefly mention personal experience with Down syndrome >>

Established in May 2015, the Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome is an expansion of the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus originally formed in 2008 and is comprised of U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators. The Global Down Syndrome Foundation works closely with the Task Force to educate Members of Congress and their staff about Down syndrome research and medical care.

People with Down syndrome deserve fundamental human and civil rights. By joining and supporting the Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome, you can make a significant difference in the lives of people with Down syndrome and other disabilities. I ask you to please consider joining the Task Force to raise awareness and to help increase funding to advance research and programs for people with Down syndrome. To join the Task Force, please contact Matt Neighbors in Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodger’s office at 5-2006 or matt.neighbors@mail.house.gov or Michael Gamel-McCormick in Sen. Bob Casey’s office at 4-6324 or michael_gamel@aging.senate.gov.

Thank you very much for considering this request.

Sincerely,

<< Your Name >>
<< Your Street >>
<< Your City >>, << Your State >> << Your Zip-Code >>

Please CC: advocacy@globaldownsyndrome.org on your letter so The Global Down Syndrome Foundation can better track our advocacy efforts.