PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATOR TODAY IN SUPPORT OF KENNEDY FOOD ALLERGEN BILL

Thanks for the info, phone numbers, and DEADLINE! I work by deadline dates. I sent my letters in, so did my mom and dad. Now I have to get going on those calls.
As an afterthought (and this will sound REALLY stupid and trivial), do you say, "S dot 2499" or "S period 2499" or "S 2499"--you know what I mean. I would like to sound like a fairly intelligent, politically-minded citizen (who the he** am I kidding!) who knows what I'm talking about. And BTW, what does the S stand for.
[This message has been edited by ryan's mom (edited July 24, 2002).]

Hi Ryan's Mom,
Thanks for asking this question. I am sure that a lot of folks out there are wondering the same thing.
The "S" denotes that this is a Senate bill, as opposed to a House bill which would have an "HR" prefix. When you are on the phone, you could say something like "I would like Senator ______ to support Senate bill number 2499, the Food Allergen Consumer Protection Act." That ought to do the trick!
Thanks for taking the time to call. We need to inundate the HELP Committee with as many calls as the food industry made before the bill comes up for review on July 31. After that, the Senate goes into recess until September. That will give us time to regroup and plan new strategies for promoting this legislation. Ideas, anyone?

Is it better to wait until the end of the month, closer to the vote? I plan on asking friends and family to call Senator DeWine (in Ohio), but don't want to blitz now and lose the impact right before the vote. Any opinons on this?

Here is Senator Mike DeWine (OH) local phone number 216-522-7272. He has an office on Superior Avenue in Cleveland. I haven't called here, yet, but assume that you can reach him here when he's not in Washington.

Where are we on this bill? Senator Kanjorski is coming to our local courthouse soon, and I would like to ask him about his support for this bill in person, possibly with Ryan and my mother. However, as usual, I would like to sound like I know what's going on and what the status of the bill is.

Colleen's Mom (or anyone who can answer):
Our US Congressman is coming to town this Tues. and since I'm not politically educated, (sad, but true), my question to you is: Can I talk to him about supporting this bill or do I need to talk to our senator? If I can talk to our congressman, I plan on typing up something similar to what you have written for us to say, for me and several family and friends and hand delivering them to him...will this help...and do we still have time?
If anyone can anwer please do so that I can get this typed up this weekend and get as many people as I can to sign one also...
Thanks for any advice -- I want this bill passed badly and want to help our fight as much as possible.
I live in Florida, don't know if that makes a difference I didn't see FL listed on your 1st post
[This message has been edited by Cam's Mom (edited August 17, 2002).]

Dear Cam's Mom,
It would certainly be worthwhile to talk to your Congressman about the bill. Although our immediate concern is getting Republican support in the Senate, it is still a good idea to lay the foundation for when the bill comes up for a vote in the House. By the way, the reason Florida was not included in my original post is that Florida is not represented on the Senate HELP committee. Thanks for your help!

I am going to contact him, I also have someone that knows him very well (they went to school w/him and "helped" him get into office) contact him, among other friends and family...Don't know if this helps but I was just reading his bio on his website and he is currently serving on the FDA and other related agencies subcommittee. Maybe it will help...