October 31, 2011
By Congressman Joseph Crowley
There has never been a more important time to communicate and work closely with your elected representatives.
America is facing some difficult challenges, but we still live in the greatest country in the world and I believe, if we work together, we can put together an agenda that will maintain U.S. competitiveness in the global economy and harness the ingenuity of all Americans.
As a member of Congress, I need the input and advice of all stakeholders in our community, so it is essential that I stay in close contact with community advocates, labor groups, local business owners, and residents. Here are a few things to keep in mind when trying to meet with me or other elected officials.
You don’t need to be in Washington to be heard. When I’m not required to be in Washington for votes, I’m in New York where I spend my time meeting with constituents and community groups. I use this time to discuss what is going on in our city and state, what’s happening in Congress, and what I can do to help our community.
My door is always open. Communication comes in many forms these days, but nothing beats a good old-fashioned face-to-face meeting. If you have a question, concern, issue or idea, I want to hear from you. You can call my office or visit www.crowley.house.gov to request a meeting with me. Please know that you don’t need to have a previous relationship with me to set something up – nor do you have to hire someone to communicate with me on your behalf. Meeting new people and learning how I can help is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
Make an ask. Listening is a big part of my job, but so is taking action. Come to a meeting armed with an ask – even if the ask is just to stay in touch and meet again with me again in the future.
Above all, remember my job as your representative in Congress is to serve you and our community. There is no doubt that these are tough times for Americans, but if we communicate and work together, I know we can tackle our nation’s toughest challenges.
