I have received several requests for sample letters and addresses of where to
send letters in support of Miriam Labbok MD for Surgeon General. It is
important that these letters come from all over the country. They do not need
to be complicated or longwinded, just one page. You can write it on your
computer or hand write the letter. If you use a computer, a handwritten p.s.
helps personalize the letter so it does not look like a form letter.

To a Senator:
The Honorable (name)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator (name):

To a Representative:
The Honorable (name)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative (name):

If an organization would like to write a letter of support, have them address
it to:
Bob Nash
Director of Presidential Personnel and Assistant to the President
OEOB-159
Washington, DC 20500

If you need a copy of Dr. Labbok's short resume to send along with your
letter call or write to me and I will be happy to send you one.

Dear Senator Jones:
I am Jane Doe, RN from Podunk, Massachusetts. I am employed by (or work for
or as, such and such). I am writing to you today about my concern regarding
the vacant post of Surgeon General of the US. As a nurse (or whatever) woman,
and mother, I feel that it is imperative that this position be filled to
ensure the health and well-being of the American public, especially women and
children.

I am asking you to consider supporting Miriam Labbok, MD, MPH as a candidate
for this position based on her 20 years of experience in practice, research,
and public health. She maintains that increasing positive health behaviors
such as diet modification, family planning, breastfeeding, and exercise while
decreasing destructive health behaviors such as substance abuse (including
alcohol and tobacco) can only lead to improved health outcomes while saving
scare health care dollars.

Dr. Labbok's expertise extends into program and policy development and
implementation, policy negotiations, and experience managing millions of
dollars annually. Her current appointments include:
Assoc Professor, Dept OB/GYN. Georgetown Univ
Adjunct Assoc Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health
Dir, Breastfeeding & Maternal/Child Health, Institute for Reproductive Health
Dir, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Breastfeeding

I feel that Dr. Labbok is exceptionally qualified to lead our country into a
healthier 21st century through fulfillment of the Healthy People 2000 goals.
I look forward to hearing from you on this issue. If I can be of further
help, please feel free to contact me

Sincerely,

NABA also has Dr. Labbok's full resume if needed.

Remember that your letter counts. Congress does not know much about Dr.
Labbok, or breastfeeding for that matter, because they have not been educated
about it. This is our job! We elect our Congressional representatives, we pay
their salary, and now we want help in promoting, protecting and supporting
breastfeeding. Our first step is to support breastfeeding in high places.
Just think what it would mean to have someone in that position who was
dedicated to health through breastfeeding!

If you are unfamiliar with Dr. Labbok you can see and hear her on a
videotaped presentation she did at the ILCA conference this past summer on
the costs of not breastfeeding.

When you write your letters, keep to one topic, personalize it to your
situation, and keep in regular contact with your congressional people. Good
luck