M.I.S.S. Foundation's L.R.S. - Identify & Communicate With Your Lawmaker

"MISS Foundation's Legislative Reference Site"

Who Represents Me? (How Do I Make Contact?)
Trying to find out which lawmakers represent you in your state?
If you know your 9-digit zip code, that's a good place to start.
Have that handy, then click on this link (which will open in a new window):
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/?lvl=L
Type in your zip code and 'enter' (or click 'go').
Before you do anything else, notice that the second box down (which should be titled "Write Your Elected Officials") has an underlined link that says 'with one click'. We'll come back to that in a moment.
Below the box, there should be clickable links to your specific state legislators, and if you want, you can learn a lot about your legislators by clicking on their links.
Joanne wrote, "We strongly recommend the support of a Democrat sponsor. This will often reduce the amount of ongoing work and communication that will have to come from outside the legislature. Once you find a legislator to author the bill, much of the work can be accomplished from a distance, meaning emails, letters, and phone calls. Some states, due to political atmosphere, will require more of a time commitment."
Remember the "Write Your Elected Officials" box and the link we mentioned above?
If you click on it - it will take you to a page where you can "Compose Your Own Letter" to your lawmaker.
In asking for a MISSing Angels Bill for your state, you need to be ready to share your story with your lawmakers. By adding your story, you personalize the request, and increase your likelihood of success. You're also more likely to be remembered.
If you haven't already, take a look at Joanne's letter to Senator Mary Hartley, and my letter to Representative Anna Mowery. Tell your story,.. and don't be afraid to be passionate when speaking for your child - you are the only 'voice' they have. If you need statistics, contact me.
Please do let us know if you intend to send a letter to your legislators asking for a MISSing Angels Bill for your state. We're not asking this for editorial review purposes (unless that's something you're asking us to help you with specifically). By knowing who is doing what (and when), we hope to be better able to aid you by providing you the support you need - whenever you might need it.
If you're interested in becoming involved as a MISSing Angels Bill Leader/Contact in your state, please let us know. This will also better enable us to marshal you the support you need from people in your state.
Please consider including a sentence like this in your letter:
"I want the state of _______________ to establish and offer to the parent or parents of a stillborn child (regardless of when the legislation becomes effective law) a new record titled "Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth" for each fetal death that occurs in this state after a gestational period of at least 20 weeks."
In later correspondence with your lawmakers, you should be prepared to specify exactly what it is that you want in simple terms. Don't despair, we're prepared to help you with that.
Questions, Suggestions, Comments? Let me know by clicking on my name.
Thanks,
John Nevels, II

Legislation Reference Site Homepage

The M.I.S.S. Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)3, international organization which provides immediate and ongoing support to grieving families, empowerment through community volunteerism opportunities, public policy and legislative education, and programs to reduce infant and toddler death through research and education.