August 17, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) has suggested a way to make nice and return civility to the debate over health-care reform.

FCNL is asking persons to deliver a flower to the local office of their Congressional representatives.

FCNL is asking persons to deliver a flower to the local office of their Congressional representatives.

”Every member of Congress, regardless of what she or he believes, deserves our thanks for trying to tackle health-care reform,” FCNL states.

FCNL admits that when persons drop off the flowers it hopes they will also either write a note or make a brief statement in support of quick passage this fall of health-care reform legislation.

Health care is too important to let the public debate degenerate into a shouting match, made up scare stories, and a few ill-informed media headlines, according to FCNL. It reported that its lobbyists are hearing that many members of Congress will decide how to vote on health-care reform based on what they hear from their constituents during this August recess.

Flower and calm message

FCNL's first Executive Secretary, E. Raymond Wilson, used to deliver flowers to members of Congress from time to time to show appreciation for their commitment and work. If it worked back in the 1950s, maybe it could work again today, FCNL suggests.

FCNL urges people that haven't already written to their representative and senators, to do so quickly. It offers a link to its website where you can look up the address for their local offices.

FCNL encourages picking a flower from your yard or buying one, writing a short note, and dropping it off at your representative's or senator's office during normal business hours.

Grassroots toolkit

A sample note might read: “Thank you for your service. I hope Congress will pass health-care reform in September. Please don't delay, too many of us are left out of the current system.”

FCNL also advises telling friends about how you plan to work with your members of Congress over the break, and asking them to do the same.

FCNL also requests that persons consider setting up a meeting with your members of Congress to discuss health care. It offers a “Grassroots Toolkit: How to Schedule a Meeting with Your Member of Congress,” on its website. The website also contains other suggestions on how to get involved in this debate. These include a quick guide to the health-care debate, talking points for conversations and letters to Congress, and a quiz about health-care issues.

Editor’s note: The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) fields the largest team of registered peace lobbyists in Washington, D.C., according to its website. Founded in 1943 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), FCNL staff and volunteers work with a nationwide network of thousands of people from many different races, religions and cultures to advocate social and economic justice, peace, and good government. FCNL is nonpartisan. Its offices are at 245 2nd St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002. It can reached at (800) 630-1330.