[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 153 (Thursday, September 28, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H9599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONTACT REPRESENTATIVES DIRECTLY

  (Mr. EHLERS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, recently I received a letter from a senior 
citizen in my district, Mrs. Esther Koster, who responded to a letter I 
had sent her. She responded as follows:

       Dear Sir: It was refreshing to get a letter from a 
     Congressman with information without having to sign a 
     petition and send money. For the past month I have received a 
     minimum of three letters a day from different organizations 
     asking me to sign petitions and send money. At first I 
     complied but lately it has gotten out of hand and now those 
     letters go from the mailbox to the garbage without being 
     opened. Are all these organizations necessary and how can I 
     tell if some are using the funds for themselves or for other 
     purposes?

  Mr. Speaker, last month I gave a speech on this floor decrying the 
fraudulent organizations which are soliciting money from senior 
citizens, ostensibly to let us know their opinion. Mrs. Koster, I want 
to assure you, you do not have to send money to these organizations to 
let us know what you think. Spend 32 cents for a stamp to send us a 
letter, as you did. To all senior citizens out there, avoid these 
fraudulent organizations. Contact your Congressperson directly.

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