[Kristina]

Yay for feeling useful! I never thought my government experience would be able to help FIRST directly but I have found an area to help.

Speaking from 3 weeks of experience of working in a Congressional Office, here are tips for approaching this issue:

-While it is definitely more effective to have adults come in as Representatives, you can still make a difference. When you write or phone in, no one checks your age. It's basically counted by how many people contact the Representative about the issue. If they're bombarded, they'll pay more attention to the issue.

-Letters work well if you want to write the same letter and photocopy it so each member of your team signs an individual copy. This is a better route than having everyone sign one paper. Make it look like a lot of people care, and don't worry, we recycle. Frankly, individual, handwritten letters count the same as mass copies...so unless you REALLY like writing, save your time.

-Heck, save everyone some time and phone call or send in a fax instead of a letter. Trust me, you'll make an intern very happy with one less letter to open. Letters take longer to process because they all have to be radiated 3x, open and shaken out because of anthrax. It'll take a good 3 weeks before we actually get your letter. However, a phone call or a fax is immediate and counts the same as a letter. Actually, I think our office probably pays attention to phone calls more than letters. All you have to do is say your name, you address (if you want a response back) and voice your concern. This all gets filed away and the Congressmembers will be told how many people called about a certain issue.