Published February 2003 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd Protecting Your Special Deliveries
More than a year has passed since the terrorist attacks and the anthrax tainted letters in the fall of 2001, yet many facets of our daily lives have not yet returned to normal. An endless stream of government-issued warnings continues to cause unease both at home and abroad. Due to the high-alert environment, many activities in the nation's Capital continue to be subjected to increased security measures in an effort to better prepare for, and respond to, potential terrorist assaults. The police presence remains heightened at national monuments, and security at federal government buildings continues to be elevated. Another such preventive step helps to ensure the safety of the mail which is sent to Members of Congress. Each piece of mail goes through an irradiation process which subjects items to intense heat in order to kill harmful toxins. While the process is critical to the safety of government officials, the unfortunate consequence is that some mail items are damaged by the high temperatures. I encourage my constituents to be actively involved in the political process, and it is important that the mail sent to me arrives unharmed. Letters, in the main, are unaffected by the irradiation process and can be sent either to my Washington office or to my Charleston office. Letters can also be faxed to 202- 228-0002 (Washington) or to 304-343-7144 (Charleston). Another option for contacting me is my Internet page at http:/ /byrd.senate.gov. Mail consisting of more than a letter, such as packages with photographs, compact audio disks, or digital video disks, should be sent to my Charleston office. Please do not send the original copy of material, and never send anything that is irreplaceable. My mailing address in the U.S. Capitol complex is 311 Hart Building, Washington, DC, 20510. My mailing address in Charleston is 300 Virginia Street East, Suite 2630, Charleston, WV, 25301. I have noted that some West Virginians are skeptical that their concerns ever reach my desk. Some have written, "I know that this letter will never be read by you," or, "This letter probably will not get past your secretary." Be assured that I place great importance on the letters and other correspondence that I receive from my fellow West Virginians. I endeavor to answer each letter promptly and address whatever issue or question is raised in the letter. While the security measures in place sometimes slow down the mail process, they are not a barrier to open lines of communication between my constituents and me. February 19, 2003