Our U.S. representatives listen to constituents

I am proud that our Snohomish County representatives in Congress, Suzan DelBene and Rick Larsen both take time to listen to their constituents. (“Here and in D.C., DelBene sees more constituent engagement,” by Noah Haglund, The Herald, April 12) Although she was unable to take every question recently in the formal meeting, she stayed and spoke with constituents like me and listened to our concerns.

I asked her about the cuts to the State Department which save lives through programs like PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and our pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. I witnessed the effectiveness of these programs first-hand during my visit to Zambia in February of this year. The congresswoman supports these life-saving programs that maintain America’s stature as a country that cares. She also votes on legislation based on merit not party and encouraged constituents to speak up to her and others in Congress to make a difference.

According to a 12-year study by the Congressional Management Foundation, this is the best way to influence our elected representatives’ decisions.

Willie Dickerson

Snohomish