If you are an active member of the U.S. electorate, you may want to contact your senator to express your opinion on pending legislation.To address a senator, use official titles and a respectful tone.If the senator tells you to address them differently, follow the same protocol when talking to them in person.
Step 1: The Honorable can be used on the envelope.
"The Honorable" is a title given to elected officials.When writing to a senator, start with the title and then use the senator's first and last name.The senator's middle initial is typically included in a proper form.If you were writing to Utah Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, you would address the letter to him.Hatch.You can type " United States Senate" directly under the senator's name.
Step 2: You should include official titles.
You can type the full title under the senator's name in the address block.If you're unsure about any titles you need to include, check the senator's web page.Above the " United States Senate" line, the committee title should be under the senator's name.If you're writing for a reason unrelated to the committee's work, you can leave out the title of committee chair.If you're writing the president of the senate, always include the title.
Step 3: The senator's name should be used in the salutation.
The address block at the top of the letter is the same as the address on the envelope.You can open the letter by writing "dear senator" followed by the senator's last name.If you're writing a letter to Senator Orrin Hatch, your salutation would be "Dear Senator Hatch."Before starting your letter, follow the salutation with a colon and double-space.
Step 4: The same address should be kept for former senators.
The honorific "The Honorable" is retained even if a senator retires or is defeated.Adding "Former" in front of "Senator" is not proper.You would no longer use "The Honorable" if a senator resigned or was removed from office.State senators use the same form of address and honorifics in writing.
Step 5: You can call a senator by their title.
In a face-to-face meeting with a senator, say "Senator" followed by their name the first time you speak.You can use either "sir" or "ma'am" after that.You'll typically be fine addressing a senator this way, but there are exceptions.If you testify before a committee, you usually address the chair as "Chairman."If you don't know how to address a senator, pay attention to what other people are saying.
Step 6: The Honorable is used when making a formal introduction.
In front of a large group of people, you may be called upon to introduce a senator.The senator's elected position is followed by "The Honorable Senator" in a formal introduction.You would say "The Honorable Senator Hatch, Senator from Utah" if you were introducing him.
Step 7: State senators are different from U.S. senators.
The senators.Refer to the state senators as "State Senator" when you first meet them."Mr./Mrs." is what you should use if you address them again.The title "Senator" with state senators was changed to "sir/ma'am".
Step 8: You can adjust to the senator's preferences.
Being too polite will never get you in trouble, but some senators aren't comfortable with a formal address.If a senator wants you to call them by their first name, follow their preference.Senator Bill Frist preferred people to call him "Dr." rather than "Senator"