I contacted my rep's office this AM. Each congressman or Senator has a staff that supports their efforts. The individual I spoke with said they needed a letter of authorization from me. When I complete this letter with a brief description of the patents, basically only the numbers or anything I want to include (especially if you have the timeline, history, etc.) that will place greater pressure on USPTO to place greater priority on completion.

The USPTO, the United States Patent and Trade office is under the Department of Commerce.

Remember, Congressmen and Senators hold significantly more weight than you or I do. They have Congressional response sections in Departments like Commerce with Suspense dates in which they have to comply or they are in serious trouble. (I remember this from military days, congressional responses have the highest priority and there is a chain of custody including follow up required by Congressmen of all agencies of the federal government.)

For example, Lorrie, your request could include all the steps that you have already taken to get an answer. The blow off that you got won't go unanswered to a congressman. It can be remedied easily by placing names and times of contact. I see that this is as important to you as it is for me. Thanks for your efforts.

There is no cost involved but an envelope and a stamp or two. Remember, these reps are being paid handsomely at your (taxpayer)expense. Use their authority to get what we need. The squeaky wheel gets the attention, especially when it is coming from an authority like your Congressional Representative. They make the government work for you.

Please everyone, don't let us all down by failing to get involved. The gov't bureaucracy is letting us down. We need to get them moving, once and for all.