Contact your representative

You can find your legislator's email address using this link.

Here are a few tips to help maximize the impact of your email:

• Be brief. Keep your email to less than 300 words.
• Direct your email. Begin with: Dear [Representative / Senator] [Full name] For example:
  • "Dear Representative Ryan Guillen," or
  • "Dear Senator Dawn Buckingham."
• Introduce yourself. Begin by introducing yourself. For example:
  • "I am a junior at Strake Jesuit in Houston,"
  • "I am a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi in Grapevine," or
  • "I am a Catholic nurse at Seton Hospital."
• Be direct. Briefly state why you're writing, then write one paragraph on the issue and explain your position. For example, you might begin:
  • “I’m writing to thank you for your support on pro-life bills," or
  • "I'm writing to ask you to support immigration reform."
• Be specific. One well-presented argument is often more effective than a laundry list of reasons, but if you have several reasons for your position, an effective way to present them is with bullet points.
• Bring it home. Explain why this topic is important to you and other people in your community.
• Request follow-up. Include your mailing address or phone number and request a reply. Offer to answer any questions the legislator or staff may have.

If you don't know the answer to a question that a staff member asks you, or if you want more assistance, please reach out to the TCCB at 512-339-9882 or email us!

You can find your legislator's phone number using this link.

Below is a suggested introduction you can use when calling your legislator. You can follow it with an explanation of why you and other members of your community care about this topic. Remember to keep your focus on your main point, which should come from the TCCB's review of current legislation.

• Hello, my name is __________ and I am a constituent of [Senator or Representative] __________. I'm calling to bring your attention to [the topic you're calling about.]

If you don't know the answer to a question that a staff member asks you, or if you want more assistance, please reach out to the TCCB at 512-339-9882 or email us!

You can find your legislator's postal address using this link.

An original letter is a good way to contact your legislator.

• Be brief. Keep your letter to the front of one page.
• Add their address. Use the following at the top of the page:
  • The Honorable Full Name
    Texas Senate or House of Representatives
    Austin, Texas 78701
  • Dear Senator or Representative,
• Introduce yourself. Begin by introducing yourself. For example:
  • "I am a junior at Strake Jesuit in Houston,"
  • "I am a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi in Grapevine," or
  • "I am a Catholic nurse at Seton Hospital."
• Be direct. Briefly state why you're writing, then write one paragraph on the issue and explain your position. For example, you might begin:
  • “I’m writing to thank you for your support on pro-life bills," or
  • "I'm writing to ask you to support immigration reform."
• Be specific. One well-presented argument is often more effective than a laundry list of reasons, but if you have several reasons for your position, an effective way to present them is with bullet points.
• Bring it home. Explain why this topic is important to you and other people in your community.
• Request follow-up. Include your mailing or email address and request a reply. Offer to answer any questions the legislator or staff may have.
• Sign your letter. We suggest that your letter be typed and printed, and then signed in blue or green, which are good eye-catching colors.

If you don't know the answer to a question that a staff member asks you, or if you want more assistance, please reach out to the TCCB at 512-339-9882 or email us!