Ceremonial Documents Policies and Procedures
As a Member of Congress, it is my privilege to be able to recognize outstanding public achievements of the people who live in our Congressional district.
Certificates
A certificate of Congressional recognition is a document on special stationary that is issued for the following occasions:
- Appreciation
- Civic celebrations
- Significant community anniversaries and events, including clergy and house of worship anniversaries
- Congratulatory
- Citizenship
- Congressional Awards
- Eagle Scout Award
- Girl Scout Gold Award
- Other achievements of public distinction
Letters
A letter of welcome, celebration, or congratulation is a document on Congressional letterhead that may be requested for the following occasions:
- Civic Celebrations
- Conferences
- Meetings and Conventions
- Professional celebrations
- Religious anniversaries and celebrations
- Other accomplishments and achievements
Required information for all requests:
Please provide the following:
- A brief summary about the individual or organization to be honored and his/her accomplishments, including whether or not the individual or organization is within TX-07.
- The date of recognition.
- Type of event planned, including date and title of event (if relevant).
- Any other information you feel is significant.
Congressional Certificate and Letter Criteria
Congressional certificates are reserved for people, places, or events that positively contribute to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of Texas’ Seventh Congressional District.
Ceremonial documents will not be issued if:
- The request promotes campaigns, events or ideological and political beliefs that are contrary to the policies or laws of the United States.
- The request is for commercial or for-profit purposes.
- The request takes a side or a position regarding international disputes or is a subjective statement of ideology.
- The request is on behalf of individuals or groups the person making the request has no demonstrated affiliation.
Please be sure to submit all requests at least 21 days prior to the date needed.
FAQs
How do I submit a congressional certificate or letter request?
You may submit a request in the following ways:
Do I provide contact information?
Yes, you must provide the following:
- Contact person first and last name
- Email address and phone number of the contact person
How long is the processing time?
All requests sent have a 21-day processing time. If the date you need it by is within that window, we will do our best to accommodate you.
Who can request a ceremonial document?
Any person who resides in TX-07 or owns or operates a business in TX-07 may request a certificate.
Can I send a draft of proposed wording for the ceremonial document?
Yes. While it is not necessary, you are welcome to send any proposed wording. Please note, however, that we reserve the right to edit proposed text to fit our editorial and formatting standards.
Can I request a preview of my ceremonial document?
No, we cannot provide a preview ceremonial document text before we print the document.
What happens after I submit my request?
Your request will go through a review and approval process. We will notify you once it is approved, and then work with you to either have the document mailed, picked up, or dropped off.
What if I want to make changes to a ceremonial document after picking it up?
We retain full editorial control of all documents that leave our office. Except for grammatical, spelling, or statistical errors, we will not make any changes to a document after it is picked up.
Can I request that a photo be taken when I come to pick up my ceremonial document?
Yes. Please note, however, that we cannot guarantee who will be in the photo in advance—the Congresswoman or one of her team members.
If you have additional questions or concerns, you may contact our office at (713) 353-8680.
