The Asbestos Alliance | How To Voice Your Support

Sample Letter Instructions

The template letter is divided into three sections and each section provides three optional paragraphs. From each section, choose one paragraph that best represents your viewpoint or, if you desire, write a variation. In total, you will have written three paragraphs which will form the body of your letter. Be sure to insert your name and company details into the spaces indicated.

Dear [Senator]:

Section 1 - pick one paragraph

I work for [Company] at the [location] plant. I am writing to ask for your help in solving our nation's asbestos litigation crisis. A new and improved trust-fund bill, S. 3274 was recently introduced and I hope that you will support efforts to bring this bill to the Senate floor for consideration.

I am writing to request that you join the Senate's efforts to fix America's broken asbestos litigation system. As a [title or job] for [Company] at [location], I am very concerned about this issue. Congress must step in to ensure that truly sick people receive fair compensation and that companies involved in the litigation remain financially viable so they can pay claims in the future.

I urge you to join efforts to reform the asbestos litigation system. Congress must pass legislation that allows the sick to receive just compensation. [Company] faces thousands of asbestos claims. Congressional action is necessary to ensure that [Company] stays in business and can continue to meet our responsibilities. The Senate must do its part to move the new Specter-Leahy bill forward. Please work with your colleagues to pass a trust fund bill.

Section 2 - pick one paragraph

The asbestos situation is a big concern for me, my family and our community. I have been with [company name] for [Insert Number] years. I know I work for a good company that wants to do the right thing. We believe people who have become sick from an asbestos-containing product deserve fair compensation. The problem is that too many people who are not yet sick and may never become ill are filing claims. The cost of paying damages to people who are not sick has forced nearly 80 companies to file for bankruptcy, costing 60,000 jobs. And it is estimated that the heavy burden of asbestos litigation translates to 30,000 fewer jobs being created annually. We just cannot let this continue.

[Company] sincerely believes everyone who has become sick from exposure to asbestos should be fairly compensated -- now and in the future. That's a given. Unfortunately, the huge costs of paying non-sick asbestos claimants have placed a heavy financial burden on many companies and there is no end in sight. For the sake of the victims and my [# of U.S. employees-1] colleagues at [Company], we cannot let this continue.

The justice system has simply failed the asbestos test. Claims number in the hundreds of thousands and are rising. Worse yet, the sick often wait years for compensation. Many companies, including [Company], face an uncertain future, potentially threatening our jobs and our retirement plans. Congress must find a legislative solution that is fair to all parties involved -- one that protects the truly sick and keeps our company's future secure.

Section 3 - pick one paragraph

Congress must pass legislation that resolves the asbestos nightmare once and for all. A legislative solution is the only way to ensure that the sick receive compensation, while companies like mine continue to thrive and create jobs. An asbestos victims' trust fund bill offers major advantages over today's broken system. The time is ripe for action. We cannot miss this historic opportunity to enact long-overdue asbestos reform. Please work with your colleagues to resolve the asbestos litigation crisis once and for all.

The Supreme Court has called for congressional action on asbestos three times in the past decade. Please heed their call and solve this problem before it is too late. Absent congressional action soon, the situation will worsen. That means more jobs lost, fewer jobs created, slower economic growth and greater uncertainty for asbestos victims today and in the years to come. I hope I can count on you to support efforts to pass legislation that will fix this problem.

I hope I can count on you to help pass legislation that solves the asbestos problem. The status quo is absolutely unacceptable. It's bad for companies like [Company], bad for workers and bad for the economy. Most importantly, the current system is hurting those who it should be helping the most-asbestos victims. In closing, I ask that you give this matter your strongest consideration and support the Senate's asbestos litigation reform efforts.

Sincerely,

[Write your signature here]