There are SEVERAL ways you can help. Here are just a few suggestions:

1. As chairwoman of SPJ's Legal Defense Fund, I would be remiss if I failed to mention from the start how important membership in the Society is! Please visit the membership section of www.spj.org or call 317/927-8000 and become a member today. The Society offers installment plans to make dues payments easy. Choose the one that's best for you. Rest assured that your membership helps SPJ improve and protect journalism.

2. Pull together a fund-raiser. Pass a hat around the office or classroom. Send contributions for Leggett's defense to SPJ. Every little bit helps. Checks should be made payable to the SPJ Legal Defense Fund. Include a notation designating the funds for the Leggett case. Send the checks to Executive Director Jim Gray's attention at the Eugene S. Pulliam National Journalism Center, 3909 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN, 46208-4045. SPJ's phone number is 317/927-8000.

3. Write letters of encouragement to Vanessa Leggett and her attorney, Mike DeGeurin, who capped his legal fees at $25,000. Both can be reached through DeGeurin's office. Send correspondence to Leggett or DeGeurin at 909 Fannin St., Suite 590, Houston, Texas 77010.

4. Contact legislators and others who can make a difference:

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Phone: 202/353-1555
E-mail: askdoj@usdoj.gov

U.S. Attorney Southern District of Texas
Mervyn M. Mosbacker
P. O. Box 61129
Houston, TX 77208
Phone: 713/567-9000
Fax: 713/718-3389 fax
E-mail: usatty.txs@usdoj.gov

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Phone: 202/456-1414
Fax: 202/456-2461
E-mail: president@whitehouse.gov

Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee
U.S. House of Representatives
403 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4318
Phone: 202/225-3816
Fax: 202/225-3317
E-mail: tx18@mail.house.gov

Sen. Phil Gramm
U.S. Senate
370 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-4302
Phone: 202/224-2934
Fax: 202/228-2856
E-mail: phil_gramm@gramm.senate.gov

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
U.S. Senate
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-4304
Phone: 202/224-5922
Fax: 202/224-0776
E-mail: senator@hutchison.senate.gov

Sen. Joseph R. Biden
Chairman, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee
221 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202/224-5042
Fax: 202/224-0139

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch
Ranking Member, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee
104 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202/224-5251
Fax: 202/224-6331

Again, many thanks for your interest in SPJ and the Leggett case. We challenge you to get involved in a dynamic organization that is fighting the good fight for us all. Don't hesitate to call me with questions. I can be reached directly during the day at 312/222-5184 or via e-mail at ctatum@tribune.com.

Sincerely,

Christine Tatum
Legal Defense Fund chairwoman