Sample Phone Message to Representatives

On May 21, 2009, Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) and 42 other Members of Congress introduced a bill to suspend operations at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, formerly named the School of the Americas (SOA). HR 2567, "The Latin America Military Training Review Act," would suspend operations at the SOA/WHINSEC and call for an independent commission to investigate the use of torture manuals at the school.

Check out the list of cosponsors at the bottom of the page to see if your Representative has signed on.

If not, call now! Urge them to support human rights and sign on to HR 2567 by contacting the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121, asking to be connected to your Member of Congress, and then speaking with the legislative aide that deals with foreign affairs.

SAMPLE PHONE MESSAGE

“Hi, my name is ______ and I live in ______. I am calling because I would like to bring to your attention an important opportunity to sponsor legislation that supports human rights in Latin America. Rep. Jim McGovern has introduced HR 2567, The Latin America Military Training Review Act that would suspend and investigate the School of the Americas, which now uses the acronym WHINSEC. This legislation has the support of over 90 bipartisan cosponsors.

The School of the Americas is a combat training school in Ft. Benning, GA that has trained more than 64,000 Latin American soldiers and officers. Renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, the SOA/WHINSEC continues to train hundreds of soldiers each year in the exact same location with almost the same curriculum. The concerns raised with regards to the SOA were never adequately addressed, and it needs to be closed so that an investigation can occur.

As your constituent, I urge the Congressman/woman to contact Rep. McGovern's office to become a cosponsor of this bill. This would be one very concrete step to support human rights and promote peace and justice for the people of Latin America. ”

TIPS FOR MAKING EFFECTIVE PHONE CALLS

1. Ask to speak with the legislative aide responsible for the issue. Give your name and tell him or her that you are a constituent.
2. Be specific about what you want the member to do.
3. Ask what the member’s position is on the issue. If the staff person is uncertain, ask the staffer what he/she would recommend to her/his boss.
4. Thank them for their time.