[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 136 (Thursday, October 26, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE RETIREMENT OF ROBERT J. CLARKSON

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                             HON. BOB RILEY

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 2000

  Mr. RILEY. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Robert J. Clarkson. On 
November 3, 2000, Mr. Clarkson will retire from the United States 
Postal Service after 61 years of federal service. In the entire 224-
year history of the Postal Service, Mr. Clarkson is only the 25th 
person to serve over 50 years and the only one from the State of 
Alabama.
  Robert Clarkson began his postal career at age 14 as a special 
delivery messenger with the post office in Anniston, Alabama. That was 
in 1940. To put this in perspective, at that time, a regular stamp cost 
3 cents and a special delivery stamp cost 10 cents. Mr. Clarkson was 
paid 9 cents for every special delivery letter he delivered. He was a 
city carrier from 1942 to 1955 at which time he transferred to the 
Piedmont, Alabama Post Office as a Rural Letter Carrier. He has been a 
rural career since that time, for 32 years out of the Piedmont Post 
Office and then 13 years out of the Anniston Post Office.
  During his career as a Rural Letter Carrier, Mr. Clarkson, was 
Committeeman of the Third District for the Alabama Rural Letter 
Carriers Association as well as a local Steward for many years. He was 
given a Special Achievement Award by the Postal Service in recognition 
of his job performance.
  Within the span of his employment, Robert Clarkson served 2 years in 
the United States Navy. When he was discharged, he returned home and 
completed high school and then college by going to night school.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to salute Robert Clarkson for his remarkable 
career with the Postal Service and to thank him for his service to the 
residents of Calhoun County, Alabama. His tradition with the Postal 
Service is being carried on by his son, Michael, a Rural Carrier in 
Oxford, Alabama.

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