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Action Letter |
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Human destiny is bound to remain a gamble, because at some unpredictable time and in
some unforeseeable manner nature will strike back. -Rene Dubos, Mirage of Health, 1959
Select an environmental issue that concerns you. The issue should
concern the natural environment or a human problem that
is the result of an environmental problem. Write a letter to an appropriate
elected official, organization, or newspaper editor
about something that can be done to improve the problem. Do not mention that the
letter is a course assignment.
If you are writing a letter
to the editor, consult the editorial page for guidelines.
Most papers have maximum length requirements and also require your full name and
phone number.
The recipient
should be treated with respect.
It is important to
select a recipient who can do something. Be careful to
contact the appropriate governing body. A US senator or SC State representative cannot do anything about
recycling in Richland County or SC State Parks; you must write the Richland County Council or a SC legislator,
depending on who has control. The local and state
governments do not fund the Congaree
National Park. You need to write a US Representative or Senator. The local governments may make a decision
about the
Congaree River or zoning that could effect the National Park. The President and Vice President do not have control over local and state regulated issues.
Some helpful hints are at
letter writing hints.
The letter should be typed, in proper business letter format.
Turn it in to me in an unsealed, stamped, addressed business
envelope. If you want feedback on how your grade was determined, a copy of
the letter should be turned in as a MS Word document
through Blackboard.
Please use your name as the first part of the filename.
The grade will be determined by: presentation of the problem (11 points),
support of your suggestion (11), appropriate choice of recipient (3),
correct grammar and form (2), and choice of issue (3).
Some Useful Addresses:
Columbia City Council, 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Lexington County Council, 212 South Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072
Richland County Council, 1701 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Editor, The State, PO Box 1333, Columbia, SC 29202
SC elected officials
SC House and Senate
US Senators
US Representatives
President George Bush, The White House, Washington, DC 20500
Vice President Richard Cheney, The White House, Washington, DC 20500
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