Letter to an Elected Official
In order to function effectively, our government depends on citizens who are not just personally responsible, but also active participants in democratic life. One strategy participatory citizens use to accomplish systemic change is to write their elected representatives. In fact, Congressional staffers rank constituent emails ahead of visits from lobbyists when asked what strategies have the most influence on legislators.
Elected official staffers carefully read, record, and respond to each and every letter received by their offices. For this assignment, you’ll have the opportunity to voice your opinion on human trafficking. As federal and local officials prepare to debate human trafficking legislation, this seems like an opportune time to let your opinion be heard.
Step One - Select Pending Bill to Write About
Review the pending bills and supporting documents below and select one that you feel strongly about.
PROSECUTE TRAFFICKERSOhio H.B. No. 322: Regards Childhood Sexual Abuse Registrants, Offense of Grooming
This bill is the first attempt in Ohio law to define and criminalize grooming in order to prosecute adults who foster a connection with a minor with the end goal of sexual activity. It defines grooming as “conduct that causes a reasonable adult person to believe that the person is communicating with the minor with purpose to entice, coerce, solicit, or prepare the minor to engage in sexual activity.”
Article in support of Ohio. H.B. No. 322. |
PREVENT TRAFFICKINGOhio H.B. 255: Regards Massage Establishments and Nontherapeutic Massage
This bill establishes a registration process for individuals who perform non-therapeutic massage therapy. Massage and spa businesses are among the top venues in the U.S. for sex trafficking. By implementing this registry, the bill aims to tackle the issue of bad actors suspected of using massage parlors as fronts for sex trafficking, prostitution, and money laundering.
Press release supporting Ohio H.B. No. 255. |
PROTECT VICTIMSOhio H.B. No. 385: Allow Human Trafficking Victim to Expunge Certain Records
Currently, victims of human trafficking can have their records expunged for convicted crimes of soliciting, loitering and prostitution. Richardson’s legislation, the Expanding Human Trafficking Justice Act, will expand eligible offenses for expungement to include misdemeanors and fifth- and fourth-degree felonies. Press release supporting Ohio H.B. No. 385.
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Step Two - Drafting a Letter to an Elected Official
Review this exemplar before starting your letter. Notice that the exemplar is 7 sentences long. Please try to limit your letter to 7 sentences as well. This step-by-step guide should ensure that your letter looks like the work of a scholarly PHS senior rather than an uneducated barbarian.
1. Write your letter in Google Docs.
2. Use the proper salutation:
- Rep. Callender should be addressed as "Representative Callender"
3. Write a compelling introduction that:
- includes the subject, title, and bill number of the pending legislation/executive order that you are addressing
- strongly and clearly states your opinion and what you want the elected official to do
4. A thoughtful body that
- acknowledges what critics of the legislation might say and offers a rebuttal
- contains two highly relevant, accurate, and convincing reasons that supports a course of action and appeals to the reader (consider using statistics from class notes or class readings)
5. A strong concluding statement that
- reiterates your position
- clearly states what solution or course of action you want the elected official to work for
6. Use an appropriate complementary closing:
- Examples include: "Sincerely" or "Respectfully" followed by your full name on the next line.
7. When you are done typing your draft, ask Mr. Soeder or Mrs. Trentanelli to review it. If necessary, make any suggested changes. Then share your letter with Representative Callender.
PLEASE NOTE: Mr. Soeder or Mrs. Trentanelli must witness your submission in order for you to receive credit for this assignment.
Work Smarter Not Harder: Chat GPT
Note...since the objective for this unit is to share your views with an elected official recommending a course of action to address human trafficking, Chat GPT can be a powerful tool that helps you to clearly express and support your opinion. A few things to keep in mind if you use Chat GPT:
1. Chat GPT's knowledge of recent events and pending legislation is limited
2. If you choose to get inspiration from Chat GPT, your letter must still comply with the rubric.
3. Chat GPT's output is only as good as your input.
4. Be prepared to remove formatting when copying, pasting, and editing.
5. You should review and revise the message as needed prior to sending.
Suggested Chat GPT prompt: Can you help me compose a 200-250 word letter to Representative Jamie Callender (Ohio House of Representatives), urging him to (SUPPORT or OPPOSE) INSERT BILL NUMBER HERE also known as the INSERT BILL TITLE HERE Act? I would like the letter to be four paragraphs. I would like the first paragraph to urge Representative Callendar to SUPPORT or OPPOSE the bill. I would like the second paragraph to acknowledge what critics might say about the legislation and offer a rebuttal. I would like the third paragraph to support the bill by including the following 2 facts: 1. INSERT FACT FROM NOTES ALONG WITH SOURCE. 2. INSERT FACT FROM NOTES ALONG WITH SOURCE. I would like the fourth paragraph to reiterate my desire to see Representative Callender support this bill.
1. Chat GPT's knowledge of recent events and pending legislation is limited
2. If you choose to get inspiration from Chat GPT, your letter must still comply with the rubric.
3. Chat GPT's output is only as good as your input.
4. Be prepared to remove formatting when copying, pasting, and editing.
5. You should review and revise the message as needed prior to sending.
Suggested Chat GPT prompt: Can you help me compose a 200-250 word letter to Representative Jamie Callender (Ohio House of Representatives), urging him to (SUPPORT or OPPOSE) INSERT BILL NUMBER HERE also known as the INSERT BILL TITLE HERE Act? I would like the letter to be four paragraphs. I would like the first paragraph to urge Representative Callendar to SUPPORT or OPPOSE the bill. I would like the second paragraph to acknowledge what critics might say about the legislation and offer a rebuttal. I would like the third paragraph to support the bill by including the following 2 facts: 1. INSERT FACT FROM NOTES ALONG WITH SOURCE. 2. INSERT FACT FROM NOTES ALONG WITH SOURCE. I would like the fourth paragraph to reiterate my desire to see Representative Callender support this bill.