Contacting Federal Officials

Commonwealth of MA Federal Elected Officials

Rep. John Olver, 7th term Democrat:
Web Site: www.house.gov/olver
Washington Office: 1027 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-2101
Phone: (202) 225-5335
Fax: (202) 226-1224
Main District Office: 78 Center St. Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: (413) 442-0946
Fax: (413) 443-2792

Sen. Edward Kennedy, 8th term Democrat:
Web Site: kennedy.senate.gov
Washington Office: 317 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-2101
Phone: (202) 224-4543
Fax: (202) 224-2417
Main District Office: 2400 John F. Kennedy Fed. Bldg. Boston, MA 02203
Phone: (617) 565-3170
Fax: (617) 565-3183

Sen. John Kerry 4th term Democrat
Web Site: kerry.senate.gov
Washington Office: 304 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-2102
Phone: (202) 224-2742
Fax: (202) 224-8525
Main District Office: One Bowdoin Sq. Boston, MA 02114
Phone: (617) 565-8519
Fax: (617) 248-3870

Communicating with Elected Officials

Tips On Telephoning Your Representatives:

To find your representative's phone number, you may call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3121 and ask for your Senator's and/or Representative's office.
Remember that telephone calls are often taken by a staff member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue to which you wish to comment.
After identifying yourself, tell the aide you would like to leave a brief message, such as: "Please tell Senator/Representative (Name) that I support/oppose (S.___/H.R.8___)."
You will also want to state reasons for your support or opposition to the bill. Ask for your Senator's or Representative's position on the bill. You may also request a written response to your telephone call.

Tips On Writing Congress:

The letter is the most popular choice of communication with a congressional office. If you decide to write a letter, this list of helpful suggestions will improve the effectiveness of the letter:
1. Your purpose for writing should be stated in the first paragraph of the letter. If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it accordingly, e.g., House bill: H. R. ____, Senate bill: S.____.
2. Be courteous, to the point, and include key information, using examples to support your position.
3. Address only one issue in each letter; and, if possible, keep the letter to one page.

Addressing Correspondence:
To a Senator:
The Honorable (full name)
__(Rm.#)__(name of)Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator:

To a Representative:
The Honorable (full name)
__(Rm.#)__(name of)House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:

Note: When writing to the Chair of a Committee or the Speaker of the House, it is proper to address them as:
Dear Mr. Chairman or Madam Chairwoman:
or Dear Mr. Speaker:


Prepared by the Reference Staff, Greenfield Public Library 2003