[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 126 (Monday, September 12, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              POSTAL SERVICE FAILS TO DELIVER FOR VETERANS

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, this past Memorial Day, May 30, 
1994, I and 81 other Members of the body, sent a letter to Postmaster 
General, Marvin Runyon, urging that he and the Citizen Stamp Advisory 
Committee--to which he appoints all members--issue a stamp calling 
attention to America's commitment to account for POW's and MIA's from 
past military conflicts.
  We were especially interested in having this stamp issued in time for 
POW/MIA Recognition Day, this coming Friday, September 16. We pointed 
out that the Service had announced, and issued an AIDS awareness stamp 
within a couple of months. So we know the Service can move quickly when 
it wants and thus, there was certainly time enough for the Postal 
Service to have issued a POW/MIA stamp and have it available for 
dedication on September 16. It is now September 12 and our letter of 
May 30 has not even been answered, let alone any action taken on our 
request, despite numerous follow-up calls from my staff. Let me repeat: 
82 Senators have written the Postmaster General and he has not even had 
the courtesy to acknowledge that he has received the letter, let alone 
respond in a substantive way. I could suggest, perhaps, that the 
letters to or from him got lost in the mail, but I do not think that is 
the case, especially since I personally presented the letter to the 
Postmaster General's representative in May.
  Mr. President, this issue goes right to the center of current Postal 
Service management problems today. One of the problems I, and others, 
perceive is a disregard for the role of Congress in oversight of the 
Postal Service. We do have legislative oversight responsibilities for 
the Postal Service, and the appropriate committees in both Houses take 
this responsibility seriously.
  But a more immediate problem to me is not just the complete disregard 
for the views of 82 Senators, but also an apparent disregard by the 
Postal Service for veterans in general. They not only have ignored the 
request of 82 Senators and hundreds of thousands of Americans over the 
last decade who have urged the issuance of a POW/MIA awareness stamp, 
but they have consistently turned down a stamp honoring the most 
decorated war veteran of World War II, Audie Murphy. In addition, the 
Postal Service has continually thwarted any suggestion that they would 
issue a stamp in remembrance of the brave marines who lost their lives 
in the Lebanon bombing in 1985. Instead, I recently had the unhappy 
experience of watching a Postal Service television ad promoting the 
sale of D-day stamps which featured a buffoonish character in a 
military uniform. As an aside, I am surprised that more of our veterans 
organizations have not taken umbrage at this depiction.
  Even in terms of living up to the Veterans' Preference Act, the 
Postal Service has gone to great pains to circumvent the benefits that 
Congress set forth for hiring and advancement of veterans in all 
Federal agencies, including the U.S. Postal Service. The Postal 
Service's recent reorganization is a case in point. The Postal Service 
management claimed that the veteran's preference did not apply to the 
Postal Service. However, the Merit Systems Protection Board ruled 
otherwise and the President agreed and decided not to appeal the 
matter. However, the Postmaster General was so adamant that he not be 
required to adhere to veterans' preference laws he announced he would 
appeal the case with postal attorneys, even though they have no legal 
standing to do so. Given the fact that they were a sure loser, the 
Postmaster General soon withdrew his threat. Nevertheless, the 
perception is that when it comes to veterans' matters, whether it be 
honoring veterans or faithfully adhering to the laws that protect 
veterans, the Postmaster General seems to be either oblivious or 
antiveteran.

  The Postal Service has issued stamps honoring entertainers of 
fleeting importance, intermingled with those of significant stature. 
But they do not seem to honor American veterans. In defense of the 
Postal Service they have issued very positive stamps commemorating 
World War II. But in reality, the World War II stamp series was set in 
motion before the current postal administration took over. Dealing with 
veterans matters both as employees and honoring them on stamps would be 
one way to begin to repair the Postal Service's relationship with 
Congress and the veterans of America. A simple acknowledgment of a 
letter signed by 82 Senators would be a welcome long-overdue step.
  Mr. President, it is no wonder many of my colleagues have little 
sympathy for the Postal Service's financial plight when we look at 
budget matters. They have few friends and seem to go out of their way 
to offend Members. The ultimate losers in the Postal Service's 
Congress-be-damned attitude are the mailing public who must pay higher 
postage rates because of OBRA hits and changes in the revenue foregone 
appropriations.
  Mr. President, the Postal Service stamp division seems to exemplify 
the ``gang that couldn't shoot straight'' when it comes to accuracy on 
the stamps they do issue. I hope it does not become the latest Federal 
institution to join the Smithsonian and the National Endowment for the 
Arts where political correctness outweighs historical accuracy and 
appropriateness in their projects. Stamps are an important and 
traditional means of commemorating outstanding Americans and events and 
of teaching American history, and America's commitment to important 
issues of the day, including the POW/MIA issue.
  Mr. President, I would like to inform my colleagues that if the 
Postmaster General does not take immediate steps to address our 
concerns, I will offer legislation to instruct the Postal Service to 
issue a POW/MIA stamp. I hope and expect that there will be many 
Senators who will join me. Mr. President, I also ask unanimous consent 
to insert in the Record following my statement the entire text of the 
letter dated May 30, 1994, which was sent to the Postmaster General by 
82 U.S. Senators and has not yet been answered.
  I would also like to share with my colleagues a few Associated Press 
articles which came out on September 9, 1994. The articles discuss a 
number of stamp proposals that have been chosen instead of a POW/MIA 
stamp. They include Marilyn Monroe, a series on jazz musicians, and 
cartoon characters Dick Tracy, Popeye, the Yellow Kid, Prince Valiant, 
and Little Orphan Annie. I ask unanimous consent that these two 
articles be printed in the Record following the letter from 82 
Senators.
  Mr. President, I remind my colleagues that the Postal Service has 
received hundreds of thousands of POW/MIA stamp petitions since I first 
came to Congress in 1985. How many petitions do we really think they 
have received asking for a ``Popeye'' stamp? Give me a break.
  Mr. President, the leadership of the Postal Service would be wise to 
get their act together with respect to our Nation's veterans, and they 
are hereby put on notice that I hold them accountable to the Senate for 
their complete disregard to our request for a POW/MIA stamp.
  It is my understanding, as well, that several national veterans' 
organizations are also planning to hold the Postal Service accountable 
when the 1995 stamp program is publicly announced in November. I hope 
that this matter can be quickly resolved so that we do not have to 
witness the sad spectacle of veterans picketing at the Postmaster 
General's office in L'Enfant Plaza.
  I thank the Chair, and I yield the floor.
  The material follows:


                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                     Washington, DC, May 30, 1994.
     Hon. Marvin Runyon,
     Postmaster General, U.S. Postal Service, Washington, DC.
       Dear Marvin: We are writing to urge you to approve the 
     issuance of a commemorative stamp honoring American prisoners 
     of war and missing in action personnel.
       As you may know, in late 1992 the Senate unanimously 
     adopted an amendment to the Department of Defense 
     Authorization Bill mandating the issuance of a POW/MIA stamp. 
     Although this amendment was removed from the bill in 
     deference to the normal stamp approval process, the 
     conference nevertheless stated its strong support for such a 
     stamp.
       The issuance of a POW/MIA stamp is very important to us 
     and, we hope, important to you. As we are sure you realize, 
     it is also important to the families of missing service 
     personnel and to millions of American veterans, including 
     many Postal Service employees.
       We are also asking that the normal licensing fee for the 
     stamp design be waived, as was recently done for the AIDS 
     stamp, in order to allow veterans' organizations and POW/MIA 
     family organizations to reproduce the design.
       This year marks the 30th anniversary of the capture of 
     Everett Alvarez, a Lieutenant j.g. in the U.S. Navy, who 
     became the first and longest-held American POW in North 
     Vietnam. Lt. Alvarez was released in 1973, during ``Operation 
     Homecoming.'' We are also observing the 50th anniversary of 
     the landing at Normandy, which led to the liberation of 
     Europe and the subsequent release of hundreds of American 
     POWs. Given the recent focus on America's efforts to account 
     for POWs and MIAs, we believe that the release of a POW/MIA 
     stamp would be timely and appropriate.
       National POW/MIA Recognition Day is scheduled for September 
     16, 1994. We suggest that this would be an excellent target 
     date for the unveiling of the stamp. As the expedited 
     approval of the AIDS awareness stamp demonstrated, this date 
     is not unreasonable.
       A POW/MIA stamp meets the critical elements normally used 
     for selecting commemorative stamps.
       1. American POWs and MIAs have contributed significantly to 
     America and its history.
       2. The POW/MIA issue is a theme of widespread national 
     appeal and significance. Indeed, Presidents Reagan, Bush, and 
     Clinton have publicly declared the resolution of this issue 
     to be a matter of ``highest national priority.''
       3. A POW/MIA stamp was last issued on November 24, 1970, 
     over 23 years ago. This far exceeds the policy of not 
     considering stamp proposals if a stamp treating the same 
     subject has been issued in the past 10 years.
       4. The Postal Service normally desires the submission of 
     subjects three years prior to the proposed date of issuance. 
     Members of Congress, veterans organizations, and families of 
     POWs and MIAs have been continuously petitioning for such a 
     stamp for well over a decade.
       5. As the number of petitions which have already been sent 
     to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee would clearly 
     demonstrate, there is considerable interest in a POW/MIA 
     stamp and, as such, its issuance would generate millions of 
     dollars in postal revenues. Veterans and veterans' 
     organizations, families and friends of POWs and MIAs, 
     military personnel, and supporters, would all be likely to 
     use such a stamp. From a marketing perspective, a POW/MIA 
     stamp would be an excellent choice.
       We thank you in advance for your assistance and cooperation 
     in this matter, and we look forward to working with you.
           Sincerely yours,
       Bob Smith, Bill Roth, Strom Thurmond, Herb Kohl.
       Dick Lugar, Barbara A. Mikulski, Kent Conrad, Thad Cochran, 
     Daniel K. Inouye, Alfonse D'Amato, Daniel K. Akaka, Dave 
     Durenberger, Tom Daschle, L. E. Craig, John Breaux, Paul 
     Sarbanes, Jesse Helms, Frank R. Lautenberg, Conrad Burns, 
     Harris Wofford, Jeff Bingaman, Jim Jeffords, Ben Nighthorse 
     Campbell, J. Bennett Johnston, Tom Harkin, Ted Stevens, Kay 
     Bailey Hutchison, Hank Brown.
       Judd Gregg, Joe Lieberman, Arlen Specter, Paul Wellstone, 
     Dirk Kempthorne, George Mitchell, Dan Coats, Lauch Faircloth, 
     John Warner, Patrick Leahy, Paul Simon, Al Simpson, Don 
     Riegle, Richard Shelby, John Chafee, Dennis DeConcini, Sam 
     Nunn, Robert C. Byrd, Bob Graham, Bill Cohen, Phil Gramm, 
     John F. Kerry.
       Chuck Grassley, Connie Mack, Carol Moseley-Braun, Slade 
     Gorton, Wendell Ford, Jim Sasser, Edward M. Kennedy, Daniel 
     Moynihan, Chuck Robb, Harlan Mathews, Paul Coverdell, Russ 
     Feingold, Bob Kerrey, Patty Murray, Max Baucus, Trent Lott, 
     Harry Reid, Nancy Landon Kassebaum, Christopher J. Dodd, 
     Dianne Feinstein, Frank H. Murkowski, Jay Rockefeller.
       Don Nickles, Richard H. Bryan, Larry Pressler, Bob 
     Packwood, Pete V. Domenici, Byron L. Dorgan, Orrin Hatch, 
     Barbara Boxer, Malcolm Wallop.

               [From the Associated Press, Sept. 9, 1994]

              Marilyn, Nixon, Cartoons Planned for Stamps

       Washington--The post office is looking to Marilyn Monroe 
     and long-running cartoon characters to continue the stamp-
     collecting success that brought in a quarter-billion dollars 
     last year.
       Elvis Presley led the way in a stamp program that raised 
     $30 million more for the financially pressed agency in 1993 
     than it did a year earlier.
       Money from stamp collecting is nearly all profit, since the 
     Postal Service doesn't have to perform any work for stamps 
     collected in albums.
       Various poses for the Marilyn Monroe stamp are being 
     considered at the agency, though officials are not expected 
     to repeat the public balloting used to select the Elvis 
     image.
       Post office spokeswoman Robin Minard declined to discuss 
     any specific stamps planned for 1995, pointing out that no 
     decisions are official until the agency makes a formal 
     announcement of new stamps in November.
       But a stamp honoring the late President Nixon is expected 
     to be part of the 1995 Program. Nixon died last April and 
     presidents are traditionally commemorated on stamps the year 
     following their deaths.
       While the Postal Service was keeping mum on other planned 
     stamps, the Washington Post said those would include 
     commemoratives for several jazz musicians including Louis 
     Armstrong the Thelonious Monk and stamps featuring cartoon 
     characters Dick Tracy, Popeye, and Little Orphan Annie, among 
     others.
                                  ____

       Washington.--Marilyn, music and the military are likely 
     candidates for next year's postage stamps.
       Various poses of actress Marilyn Monroe are being evaluated 
     for a 1995 stamp, one that officials hope will repeat the 
     runaway success of the Elvis Presley stamp a year ago.
       Programs for stamp collectors brought in $250 million last 
     year, led by the success of the king of rock 'n' roll.
       Ant that's nearly all profit for the financially pressed 
     Postal Service, since it doesn't have to perform any work for 
     the stamps saved by collectors and music fans.
       Other issues aimed at collectors next year will likely be 
     the final year of the World War II series and stamps 
     commemorating the Civil War.
       Postal Service policy calls for presidents to be 
     commemorated on a stamp in the year following their death, so 
     a Richard Nixon stamp can be expected in 1995.
       And agency officials are trying to work out copyright 
     details and permission to use several cartoon characters on a 
     series of stamps. This could include such popular figures as 
     Prince Valiant, Popeye, the Yellow Kid and Dick Tracy if the 
     legal complications can be worked out.
       Stamps honoring several jazz musicians such as Louis 
     Armstrong and Thelonious Monk also appear likely candidates, 
     although postal officials stressed that final decisions have 
     not been completed with artwork and other research still 
     being evaluated.
       A formal announcement of the 1995 postage stamps is 
     expected to be made in November.

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