 28 January 2003 NSCC ACTION LETTER 01-03
1. Purpose. To request all concerned to implement a letter writing campaign to Congress to assist in efforts to raise FY 2004 training funds. 2. Background/Discussion. In FYs 2001 through 2003, the NSCC was appropriated $1 million in the Defense budget to offset many of the Cadet training costs. This funding was obtained through a program of intense lobbying by NSCC Headquarters with letter writing assistance from the field. Lobbying Congress is a very political activity and members of Congress are always interested in the benefits of supporting any specific program as it relates to their State of District. The best way to convince them that their support is important is for them to hear directly from individuals in their State or District. Letters from Cadets, volunteer leaders, friends and parents are the way to accomplish this. Receipt of numerous letters shows significant interest and often results in the Senator or Representative requesting a special briefing on the subject. Every year we have to start the lobbying process all over again. We have a very narrow window of opportunity in order to affect the budget appropriations process. If our members or Congress aren't convinced to support us by the mid-March time frame for the House of Representatives and by mid-April for the Senate, we will have lost our opportunity for this coming years appropriations period. We all have a vested interest in this effort. If Congressmen received letters from every Cadet, adult volunteer, parent, etc. we could almost be assured of receiving funds again this year. We have requested that the past years' appropriations be doubled to $2 million for Fiscal Year 2004. I encourage every one of you to take the time to write and then fax a letter to both your Senators, your District Representative and to key members of the Appropriations Committees, requesting support for the coming year. You are also encouraged to request that everyone in your chain-of-command write letters, as well. Cadets should also ask parents and relatives to write letters. Individualized letters have the greatest impact. Enclosure (1) contains, as a minimum, a listing of items that should be covered in your letters, that can be used as-is, or modified, as appropriate. Enclosure (2) gives advice on how to identify whom your Senators and Representatives are and lists the key Appropriations Committee members. This is not only an excellent opportunity to support our programs but can serve as a civics learning experience for our Cadets, as well. 3. Action. All NSCC adult volunteers are encouraged to write letters and fax them to their members of Congress and to assist their Cadets in doing the same. Letters to Representatives should be sent no later than the end of February and letters to Senators should be sent no later than the end of March. If you receive a positive reply to your letter(s) (not just an acknowledgement of receipt) please forward a copy to Capt Robert C. Hurd, USN (Ret.), our Headquarters Liaison to Congress, for possible follow-up action. 4. Cancellation. This letter is cancelled 1 May 2003.
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