Poor response
Comments (7 comment(s))
To the Editor:

My family and I recently contacted our respective congressional representatives regarding my niece, who has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, and a federal agency under the jurisdiction of Congress.

The reply from Don Manzullo’s staff was that they could not help because my niece is not a 16th District resident. End of story.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that official inquiries to the agency in question had been made by Melissa Bean (Illinois’ 8th District), Frank Wolf (Virginia’s 10th District), and Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens.

Amazing what people can do when they just want to do the right thing regardless of boundary issues. I am ashamed that my congressman could not have made a phone call. It was done by a representative from Virginia, a representative from Illinois’ 8th District, and a senator from Alaska who saw the need and picked up a phone.

Thank goodness there still are some people in public office who are willing to think outside the box. With an election year drawing near, I would urge the constituents of the 16th District to consider the possibility of a more forward-thinking member of Congress to represent their interests in Washington.

Joanne Gard

Lake in the Hills