Calling your Member of Congress is one of the most influential ways you, as a constituent, can advocate for social and policy change for issues you care about, especially for peace in eastern Congo. Follow the five easy steps and use our sample outline as a starting point!
1.
Find your Senator’s office by calling the Capitol Hill switchboard at 1-202-224-3121 and you will be directed to the correct office.
2.
Let your Member of Congress know you are someone they represent – Tell the staffer who you are and that you are a constituent in the Senator’s state who is deeply concerned about the conflict in eastern
Congo and the conflict minerals
3.
Be specific – Tell the staffer that the purpose of your call is to voice your concern about the conflict in eastern Congo and conflict minerals. a.
Urge the Senator to sign the letter written by Senators Boxer and Boozman. The letter calls on
Chairman Schapiro of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) to ensure the prompt issuance of strong rules with no phase-ins or delays for Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank
Act. b.
Ask your Senator to be a leader for eastern Congo and conflict minerals c.
Tell your Senator you will be following up with their office for future opportunities for action and leadership
4.
Share why action for eastern Congo is important –
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Share your personal story and what motivates you to call
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Share what your church is already doing to make a difference in Congo and why you are calling on your government official to join those efforts
5.
Ask your friends, family and congregation to join you in calling your Senator!
Facts about eastern Congo, conflict minerals and Dodd-Frank provision 1502

Eastern Congo is the deadliest war in the world since World War II. Over 5 million people have died, in addition to countless victims of sexual and gender-based violence, fueled by the trade in tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold, which benefits armed groups committing atrocities. These conflict minerals are used by various industries, including consumer electronics and jewelry.
 The passage of Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act was a watershed moment for the DRC and for those who fall victim to the terrible human rights abuses committed there. Progress resulting from the bill includes: o Demilitarization of certain mineral mines o Corporate and government transparency initiatives, aimed at shedding light on the conflict mineral trade. o In order to comply with the law, the electronics industry has put in place the Conflict-Free
Smelter program to audit mineral processors; o The tin industry has put in place a bag-and-tag minerals tracing initiative in Rwanda and some parts of Congo