Write a letter to a current Black woman member of the Congressional Black Caucus.  You may select a Black Congresswoman from any state.  The letter will be a well thought out appeal for her to support three different types of legislation. 

The three different types of legislation will include:

1. H.R. 1
2. Current legislation that is about an issue that she focusses on/is passionate about that can include bill(s) that she has introduced in the current or past sessions of Congress on the same issue or you may select an issue that you believe she would be best suited to introduce a bill on. (Example, maybe as an activist she fought for more trees and parks in her community you would have her introduce national laws that require all federal buildings to include a park space within a certain distance from the building).
3. An issue that you are passionate about that you would like her to champion either by supporting an existing bill (co-sponsoring) or request that she sponsor a bill.

The body of the letter will show that you have done your homework by including:

• How each piece of legislation will impact her constituents/district (research her district).
• Previous legislation that she has introduced (it may or may not be about the possible new issues you select but you are to include what level of success she had with past bills. (Did she get a number  of co- sponsors? How many and were they diverse? Did any Caucuses support it? Did it pass? Is it currently in a committee?) 
• Reference an interview that she did with the media in the past two year.
• What will opponents of each piece of legislation say i.e. counter arguments?
• How will U.S. citizens/ the country/world potentially benefit?
• Is there a financial impact costs and or savings?
• Who may champion/lobby for the issues and which groups may lobby against them?
• Include five citations from your readings (articles, book chapters).

Format:

• Formal letter with correct Congressional Office mailing address
• Formal salutation
• Prose style ( paragraphs)
• APA style for in text citations and reference list
• Minimum three pages double spaced

Knowledge: Students will demonstrate an understanding about a Black Congresswoman and her district, issues campaigns, Congressional legislative process and the connection between Black women and political research, statistics, campaigns, history and obstacles that they face in politics.

Skills:

• Persuasive writing
• Critical thinking
• Critical Media Literacy
• Research

Criteria for Success:

1. Demonstrate an understanding about H.R. 1 and two additional pieces of legislation including one that is a focus of the Congresswomans and one that is an issue of concern of the student.
2. Articulate knowledge about a current Black Congresswoman and her district.
3. Demonstrate the ability to articulate persuasive arguments.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the history of Black women in politics.
5. Convey an understanding of the Congressional process.
6. Write a formal letter.