[Date]

The Honorable [Dennis Hastert]

United States House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative [Hastert]:

Every year, more than 100 million Americans benefit from the cost savings and high-quality services delivered through cooperative businesses. Producing food, electricity, financial and health care services and much more, cooperatives provide the power of big business to the little guy. At a time when retail chain outlets dominate so many communities, America's member-owned and operated cooperatives are thriving, registering in excess of $500 billion annually in economic activity.

In our Congressional District more than [XX] cooperatives are open for business, with an estimated membership of [XXX]. You may even be a member or have conducted business with [list names of co-op businesses servicing your congressional district.]

Members of the more than 48,000 cooperatives across the country will celebrate National Cooperative Month during October.  Many of the core principles of the cooperative business model are identical to those upon which our democracy was founded: independence, democratic control, responsibility and equality.

I would like to invite you to participate in our local Cooperative Month celebration on [insert date] at [insert location]. We are planning [describe the event, including who from the community will attend; note that it is being planned as a media event].  I am confident that you will enjoy the opportunity to mingle with your constituents and that they will appreciate your support of these vital community institutions.

Please feel free to call me at [XXX-XXX-XXXX] to obtain more information about our event or to inform us as to your availability. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]