[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 64 (Thursday, May 9, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E755]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS

                                 ______


                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 1996

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National 
Association of Letter Carriers who will be holding their annual ``Food 
Drive'' Day this Saturday, May 11, 1996. I would especially like to 
recognize those letter carriers in California's 13th Congressional 
District who have worked so diligently over the past few years to make 
this food drive such a great success.
  The National Association of Letter Carriers' Food Drive Day began as 
a pilot program in just 10 cities in 1991. It has since grown into one 
of the largest one day food collection drives in our entire nation. 
Since 1993, letter carriers across the country have joined in a 
nationwide effort to make the second Saturday in May, ``National Letter 
Carriers' Food Drive'' Day.
  This program has been a tremendous success. The first nationwide 
drive, in 1993, gathered 11 million pounds of food. In 1994, 32 million 
pounds of food were collected and in 1995 almost 45 million pounds of 
food were donated by postal patrons nationwide. This Saturday, letter 
carriers will pick up food donations as they deliver the mail. To 
participate, one leaves canned or non-perishable food next to one's 
mail box or takes it to the nearest Post Office. All of the food items 
collected that day are then delivered to local food banks.
  Mr. Speaker, in the Bay Area, almost 300,000 people--half of them 
children--need emergency food. I urge you and my colleagues to join me 
in acknowledging the National Association of Letter Carriers for their 
efforts to help those who are less fortunate. I also urge anyone who 
can to participate in this Saturday's National Association of Letter 
Carriers' Food Drive.

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