Request a Congressional
Record Statement
This document discusses the importance and significance of requesting a Congressional
Record Statement. Use the provided template and example to write a congressional record
statement about your city. For examples of these statements on behalf of other cities, visit
congress.gov/congressional-record and search for statements including the phrase “city of.”
Overview
Members of Congress have the ability to submit statements in the “Extension of Remarks” section of
the Congressional Record. These remarks are intended to add to the spoken debates and statements
that legislators make on the floor of the House or Senate. Many of these statements are about
people, places, or events in various congressional districts. For example, a statement might honor a
particular city on an anniversary or for achieving an award.
It’s best to have a statement drafted before you ask a member of Congress if he or she would be
willing to submit a remark. If you have a personal relationship with your legislator, you can approach
him or her directly with your request. Or you may ask a member of the staff whom you have worked
with before. Each congressional office handles these requests differently, and some legislators may
not be willing to submit extensions of remarks at all.
Template
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the city of [city name] on [description of the
accomplishment being recognized, such as “its 50 year anniversary” or “being awarded [name of a
grant or prize]”.
[Provide details about the city being discussed. Be sure to include how the city and its
accomplishment relate to the member of Congress’s district.]
[Mention anything that the member of Congress did to help make the event possible. For example, “I
was proud to write a letter in support of the grant that made this program possible.”]
[Iterate the opening of the statement/acknowledgment of the accomplishment and the connection to
the district.]
Following Up And Keeping Your Legislator’s Attention: Request a Congressional Record Statement, Reference Guide
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Request a Congressional
Record Statement
Example
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the city of Goldsboro, North Carolina, on receiving
a $10 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (or TIGER) grant from the
Department of Transportation.
Goldsboro plans to use these funds in many ways that will benefit its citizens in the First District.
Through this grant, Goldsboro will be able to complete three major transportation projects serving 16
blocks and more than 240 small businesses. These projects will spur $9.7 million in economic growth
and development and create 481 jobs.
I was proud to write a letter in support of this TIGER grant as well as to support continued
congressional funding for this essential program.
Congratulations again to the city of Goldsboro, North Carolina, on receiving this $10 million
TIGER grant from the Department of Transportation, which will enable the city to better serve the
transportation needs in the First District.
Following Up And Keeping Your Legislator’s Attention: Request a Congressional Record Statement, Reference Guide
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