Getting to Know Your Member of Congress Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development United States Conference of Catholic Bishops catholicsocialministrygathering.org

Prayer Gracious and loving God, let your Spirit be with us today. Hear our prayers, and increase in us the will to follow your Son Jesus. Help us to draw on the resources of our faith as we use the opportunities of our democracy to shape a society more respectful of the life, dignity, and rights of the human person, especially the poor and vulnerable. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. Copyright © 2008, Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC.

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship “In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. This obligation is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, ‘It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person.... As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life’ (nos )” (No. 13).

WHO Represents You? Visit USCCB’s Action Center to determine your senators and representativeAction Center Read their biographies on their websites Check their Committee Assignments Look for opportunities to make a personal connection:  alma mater  community groups  parish  home town Don’t make assumptions about: faith, politics, history, experiences

WHAT Do They Believe? Visit their websites (official as well as campaign) by following the links out of the Action Center or simply searching for their name. Focus on the Issues section. Especially focus on their statements and positions on the issues we’re bringing to them.  Is the silence deafening? Follow them! Social media: Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube Search local media outlets for newspaper articles and news broadcasts that mention their local initiatives or votes they have taken on issues.  What projects have they supported?  Which local issues are most important to them?  What programs or activities does my organization have that relate to my member’s interest? Ask yourself: Is there a way I/my organization can support the local work of the senator or representative?

WHAT Do They Believe? Research the legislation they have introduced at the Library of Congress’ legislative database, THOMAS: Read the statements they have made in the Congressional Record: DC and Hill Media The Hill: thehill.comthehill.com Politico: politico.compolitico.com National Journal: nationaljournal.com nationaljournal.com Roll Call: rollcall.comrollcall.com Other Resources GovTracks: govtrack.usgovtrack.us Congress.org PopVox: popvox.com/popvox.com/ Wikipedia

WHERE are they coming from? What does your state and Congressional district look like, when viewed through the lens of the issues we care about? Congressional district-level poverty data: halfinten.org/issues/articles/interactive-map poverty-data-by-congressional-district/halfinten.org/issues/articles/interactive-map poverty-data-by-congressional-district/ State level data on child well-being and quality of life from the Annie E. Casey Foundation: aecf.org/MajorInitiatives/KIDSCOUNT.aspx aecf.org/MajorInitiatives/KIDSCOUNT.aspx State and Congressional district-level data on health, income, and education from the American Human Development Index: measureofamerica.org/maps/measureofamerica.org/maps/ Bureau of the Census’ American Fact Finder: Sargent Shriver Poverty Law Center: povertyscorecard.orgpovertyscorecard.org State Catholic Conference and Diocesan websites have good information about the Catholic community.

Other Helpful Resources CatholicSocialMinistryGathering.org Click on Capitol Hill Visit information (Hill packet, directories, and helpful links) CatholicSocialMinistryGathering.org Be sure to review Talking Points (also with each registration packet). Backgrounders for all advocacy issues and workshops will be posted on CSMG website. USCCB Unemployment and Poverty Resources Page

Keep in Mind… Members of Congress, and their staff, rely on constituents to inform them. It is absolutely vital that they hear our message. We are building Relationships Congressional offices need, and we want to be, Resources on these issues