Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring Lewis Howard Latimer, in recognition of his distinctive life, scientific achievements, and his civic contributions to technological advancement, to commemorate the 178th year anniversary of his birth and that the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring Lewis Howard Latimer, in recognition of his distinctive life, scientific achievements, and his civic contributions to technological advancement, to commemorate the 178th year anniversary of his birth and that the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.

Whereas Lewis Latimer was an African-American scientist, inventor, and social justice advocate, who lived from 1848 to 1928;

Whereas, the son of escaped slaves, Lewis Latimer bravely served in the United States Navy at 16 years of age during the Civil War and received an honorable discharge;

Whereas Lewis Latimer was self-educated having only formally finished elementary school, he taught himself mechanical drawing and drafting working at Crosby and Gould Patent law office;

Whereas Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison both worked in close conjunction with Lewis Latimer and, by employing his highly sought-after services, the two inventors made vital technological strides that propelled the electric and telecommunications industries;

Whereas Lewis Latimer left an indelible mark on the scientific and technological community, discovering the improved process for manufacturing carbon filament, which made light bulbs longer lasting and feasible for widespread commercial use;

Whereas Lewis Latimer secured the patent for his invention, Apparatus for Cooling and Disinfecting, in 1886, the forerunner to the modern air conditioning unit;

Whereas, in 1890, Lewis Latimer authored “Incandescent Lighting: A Practical Description of the Edison System”, the first published works of Thomas Edison’s revolutionary electric lighting;

Whereas Lewis Latimer was a champion of social justice issues, advocating relentlessly for the full recognition of civil rights for Black Americans;

Whereas Lewis Latimer was the only African American of the 28 charter members to belong to the Edison Pioneers, a group of men who worked closely with Edison to transform the electric industry;

Whereas Lewis Latimer was the living embodiment of the American dream, and his accomplished life merits recognition; and

Whereas September 4, 2026, will be the 178th anniversary of Lewis Latimer’s birth: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that—

(1) a commemorative postage stamp should be issued by the United States Postal Service honoring the life and legacy of Lewis Howard Latimer; and

(2) the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a postage stamp be issued.