I received two boilerplate replies from Udall and Bennet today.
Senator Bennet:
"Dear Friend:
Thank you for your e-mail message. Keeping in touch with Coloradans is important to me. Due to the high volume of messages my office receives on a daily basis, I ask for your patience as I work with my staff to respond to your concerns.
I want to hear your thoughts on the issues that are important to you. The best ideas come from people in Colorado, not from politicians in Washington. That's why it's so important for me to hear your thoughts on how we can build a better future for Colorado and our country, together.
While we work to respond to your request, I invite you to read blog updates
http://bennet.senate.gov/about/updates/, check out the latest news from your region of Colorado
http://bennet.senate.gov/, and subscribe to an e-mail newsletter that will provide you with regular updates on my work on behalf of Colorado
http://bennet.senate.gov/contact/. If you want to know more about issues and specific bills before the Senate, please visit our issue pages. If you're having trouble with a federal agency, visit the constituent services section
http://bennet.senate.gov/services/. Scheduling requests may be e-mailed to
[email protected] or sent by fax to 202-228-4083.
Thank you for contacting me."
Udall:
"Thank you for your message to my U.S. Senate office. Each week, I receive over 10,000 letters from Coloradans with their thoughts and suggestions. Your views are invaluable and keep me consistently updated on Coloradans’ concerns. Please know that we read each letter and email and will do our utmost to get you a timely response addressing your thoughts and concerns.
I am honored to serve as your U.S. Senator. My top priority in the Senate is to provide efficient and effective representation of people across our state. Please know that my Colorado staff is available to handle specific services relating to the federal government (such as help with a passport, claim for veterans’ benefits or a citizenship matter) and my Denver office can be reached at 303-650-7820. If you would like to check on a request for services from my Washington, D.C. office, please call 202-224-5941 or toll-free at 877-7-MUDALL (877-768-3255). Otherwise, be assured that we are reading your comments.
Warm regards,"
Also, I wrote an email to Congressman Gardner a few weeks back, and received the following reply:
"Dear Mr.,
It is with the utmost sorrow and dismay that I respond to you today regarding the tragic events which took place in Newtown, Connecticut. I appreciate you taking the time to contact me and it remains my honor to represent you in Congress.
On Friday, December 14th, an unimaginable event took place when a soulless monster walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School and proceeded to take the lives of twenty-six people. Twenty of the victims were young children no older than 7 years old. Were it not for the heroic actions of teachers inside the building and first responders, there is no doubt that many more would have been lost.
As a father of an 8 and 1 year old, my heart aches for the victims' parents, families, and friends. My prayers go out to the entire Newtown community for the incredible loss they have suffered and I know that our entire nation shares in their grief. No words will undue the loss of life or innocence shattered.
In light of this tragedy, I understand that many will want to have a conversation about gun control. While I am always open to the discussion and evaluation of current laws and policies at the state and federal level, I believe it is important that we are making the best decisions possible to promote the safety of our citizens, while also protecting our rights. In my mind, this event is yet another reminder that we need to ensure our mental health services have the appropriate resources at their disposal to identify individuals capable of such an act. I do not believe gun control is the answer. Moreover, it is critical that our mental health facilities are working in cooperation with our law enforcement agencies to prevent future atrocities from happening.
We must never forget those lost in this terrible tragedy. Again, thank you for contacting me, and do not hesitate to do so again when an issue is important to you.
Sincerely,"
