 18 Oct 1999 MEMORANDUM
As many of you are aware, the Headquarters Liaison Office for the U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps is "on station and ready for call for fire" with the objective to obtain federal funding for our youth program. Captain Stephen D. Barrett, USNR (Ret.) will be asking for help of all of the Sea Cadet/League Cadet officers, instructors, parents, family and interested friends in early 2000 for a grass roots letter writing campaign to appropriate congressional committees, as well as to individual congressmen and congresswomen. Letter writing will be time sensitive and each individual should sign a separate letter. If only twenty letters arrive in one week at a senator's or representative's office, the subject will normally be briefed at staff meetings. Imagine the impact two hundred letters a week! We must be prepared to write more than once, as legislation moves through Congress. One additional item would greatly assist Steve's effort. If any member has a personal or professional relationship with a member of Congress ( List of Senators/Representatives) who has demonstrated sincere interest in the Sea Cadet program, please mail the information to the U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps headquarters (attention: HLO) or e-mail to "Sbarrett@navyleague.org". Pictures of the legislator involved with Cadets and information about the event would be particularfy beneficial. if you need to speak to him directly, he may be reached at (703) 243-6910. We are working to improve Sea Cadet/League Cadet visibility and to become known in the forefront of anti-drug, anti-gang community groups and national coalitions. One effort, informally titled Project Handoff, invites youth into the Cadets from other anti-drug, anti-gang programs, many of which are short term. For example, DEFY (Drug Education For Youth), sponsored by DoD, is listing the Sea Cadets/League Cadets in their Program Manager's Manual as a follow on to their summer camps to promote long term peer reinforcement and adult mentoring of a drug free lifestyle. Our adult leaders have an important role in increasing public awareness as well. I encourage each of you and, when appropriate, our Cadets to attend civic, community and school meetings as representatives of the U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps. Invite your local congressional delegations to participate in Cadet ceremonies. The Cadets in action are our strongest asset. Visibility and credibility of our premier youth development program will assist in obtaining favorable consideration by Congress. I know I can count on your support as the federal funding effort hits stride, and will keep you advised of the grass roots letter writing campaign requirements as the situation develops. In the mean time, keep up the good work and remember "It's the adventure of a lifetime!"
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