Meet your Michigan State Representative and Senator

A.Using the Internet, http://www.house.mi.gov/mhrpublic/  and http://www.senate.michigan.gov/fysbyaddress.html to complete the following profiles on each of the members of the Michigan House and Senate.

2.Date of Birth _____________ Age ___________ Gender _______

Race _________ Year in Office __________Political Party ______

     3.  Educational Background __________________________________

4.Which committees does he/she serve on in the House?

5.What are the accomplishments of this representative?  What is he/she best known for?

6.How did this congressperson get his/her start in politics?

7.What do they feel is the most important issue facing Michigan today?

8. Name your Michigan Senator.

9.Senator

10.Date of Birth _____________ Age ___________ Gender _______

Race _________ Year in Office __________Political Party ______

11.Educational Background __________________________________    

12.Which committees does he/she serve on in the House?

13.What are the accomplishments of this representative?  What is he/she best known for?

14.How did this congressperson get his/her start in politics?

15.What do they feel is the most important issue facing Michigan today?

     Now you must begin your writing assignment.  Choose one of the people listed above to be the recipient of your letter.  The letter must follow the specific format presented to you.  You will be evaluated on the quality of your writing as well as the completion of the format.

Your letter must include:

·A clear and supported statement of your position

·Supporting knowledge from history, geography, civics or economics (it is not enough to state your opinion - you must back it up)

·A credible argument that someone with an opposite view could use and an explanation that shows why it is a bad argument.

1.Start by picking an idea you feel strongly about that is relevant to the National Government (something the national government could fix)

Topic ideas:

1.  Education

2.  Housing

3.  Public Health and Safety

4.  Crime

5.  Pollution

6.  Racial Problems

7.  Technology

8.  Civil Rights

9.  Michigan Great Lakes

10. Unemployment

2.Decide which person would be best to write based on their committee assignments or position on the topic.

3.Research your topic.  Decide on a position.

4.Write your letter using the format discussed in class. 

5.Have someone edit your letter.

6.Make sure you followed all directions.