What Age is Too Young? Should the Voting Age be Lowered to 16?

Suggestions for effective letters

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, for example, 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.

Sample letter

(Note: this letter is a sample letter on another topic in order to demonstrate how a letter to a public official may be written.)

The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing regarding an issue I feel is of great importance to all Americans, but especially to our children. As you are aware, more and more emphasis has been placed on wiring our classrooms to the Internet. I believe that this goal is worthwhile and that it should become national policy.

Today’s children will enter a world and a workforce dependent on two things: communication, and computer technology. Ability to utilize the Internet and World Wide Web will help our children develop mastery of both computer competency and communications skills. Many schools currently provide some access, but some do not. I believe it is necessary for all our schools to be "wired" and for all our children to be "connected".

While I realize that this is will not be inexpensive, I also would say that the advantages of allowing our students access would be well worth the cost. As you are well aware, the 21^st Century assures that our nation will need to be part of a global economy and the ability to communicate effectively will have a great financial and cultural advantage.

In conclusion, I strongly urge you to recommend to the Congress that sufficient funding be made available for the wiring of all United States elementary and secondary schools, as well as for the availability of computers, for the maintenance of networks, for computer hardware and for software. Our future as a global trade partner and world leader depends on the technology that is available to our students today.

Sincerely yours,