[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 150 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NEWMAN POSTAL SITUATION

  Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, it is with great concern that I rise to 
address a recurring problem in my state with the United States Postal 
Service. It seems that we are continually faced with situations where 
the Postal Service has created controversy by indicating--in some 
cases--that they will move existing post offices from downtown areas. 
In Georgia, as in many states, these post offices have been main street 
fixtures for residents, creating a meeting place for shoppers, business 
people and officials. The idea of moving these post offices is 
particularly worrisome for rural areas where local merchants have long 
relied upon this common bond. It is a problem that Congress should 
examine in order to work with the Postal Service to promote a better 
understanding and working relationship with the affected communities.
  We currently have a particular case in Newnan, Georgia which 
illustrates the problem. After receiving word from the community that 
the post office was moving out of the downtown area, we began contact 
with the Postal Service to determine whether or not these rumors were 
true. We gained assurances from the Postal Service that they did not 
intend to move from the downtown area because there was ``overwhelming 
community support'' for keeping it there. Since that time, we have 
received another report from the Postal Service that, because of 
security requirements, they indeed may have to move to an alternate 
location. I am concerned by the lack of clarity in the reports my 
office has received on this matter and am working to get a 
clarification from the Postal Service. I would like to reiterate for 
the record my commitment to maintaining a full service postal facility 
in downtown Newnan. I would welcome the opportunity to work with local 
officials and businesses in Newnan and the Postal Service to meet this 
goal.
  As I mentioned, Mr. President, this matter in Newnan is a reflection 
of the work we have ahead to avoid these controversies between smaller 
communities and the post office. It is a problem I hope we rectify 
favorably for the citizens of Newnan in this case, and for people all 
over America in the future.

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