[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 2 (Thursday, January 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E83]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               LEGISLATION AMENDING POSTAL SERVICE POLICY

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                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 9, 1997

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce 
legislation that will ameliorate problems stemming from the U.S. Postal 
Service policy that prohibits the users of commercial mail receiving 
agents [CMRA's] from submitting a standard change of address form to 
expedite routine mail delivery service.
  In nearly all cases when an individual changes residency, the U.S. 
Postal Service facilitates prompt and accurate mail delivery by 
encouraging the postal customer to file a mail forwarding change of 
address form. Atypically, when a CMRA customer relocates, that 
individual is responsible for informing all potential mailers of any 
change of address. This policy creates delays and may exacerbate mail 
fraud as testimony has shown that the first line of defense against 
fraud is accurate information regarding postal addresses.
  Current policy is contradictory to the Postal Service's charge to 
ensure prompt, accurate mail delivery service. This important 
legislation will benefit all parties in this particular mail delivery 
chain: the U.S. Postal Service, the CMRA's, and most important, the 
postal customer.

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