[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 18, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S13462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     MAINTAINING HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

   Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, during these troubled times, our 
need to connect and communicate with family and friends becomes all the 
more important. The tragic events of the last four months and questions 
about the security of mail may cause some hesitation about continuing 
long-held traditions in which we typically participate at this time of 
the year. But now more than ever, renewing and maintaining ties to 
others is vital.
  One such holiday tradition is the mailing of seasonal greetings and 
gifts to friends and family far and wide. Did you know that the history 
of holiday greeting cards in America dates back as long ago as 1875 
when Louis Prang, a German immigrant in Boston, produced the first line 
of printed Christmas cards? He even held contests across the country 
offering prizes for card designs, which helped popularize the practice.
  The images and messages that have decorated cards typically reflect 
political trends and moods of the times. World War II era holiday cards 
depicted Santa Claus and Uncle Sam holding American flags with messages 
such as ``missing you'' for servicemen fighting overseas. This year, 
holiday cards not only convey sentiments of peace and happiness, but 
feelings of pride and patriotism in our Nation's heritage of faith and 
freedom.
  It is not surprising to note that around 1880, the post office began 
urging to ``post early for Christmas.'' The first U.S. Christmas stamp, 
which portrayed wreaths and trees, debuted in 1962. Since then various 
designs have graced holiday envelopes. This year, the Postal Service 
offers a variety of holiday postage stamps, commemorating Hanukkah; 
Kwanzaa; Eid, for the two most important festivals in the Islamic 
calendar, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and Christmas, including stamps 
depicting old-fashioned Santas and traditional Madonna and Child 
artwork.
  This holiday season the United States Postal Service and the greeting 
card industry have been working hard to assure customers that despite 
the recent anthrax scare printed cards are completely safe to send 
through the mail. The Postal Service has distributed information to 
every postal address and post offices around the country have 
implemented extra screening procedures. The more than 800,000 postal 
employees nationwide have received extensive training on proper mail 
handling. In recent speeches, Postmaster General Jack Potter has 
encouraged the sending of holiday cards, emphasizing that they would be 
``especially meaningful this year.''
  Written greetings are a special way of making and maintaining 
personal connections across the miles. Cards and letters with personal 
messages can be read and reread, shared and displayed, and preserved 
for posterity. I encourage you to take time to continue this holiday 
ritual by sending holiday cards to family and friends this season and 
by supporting the work of the United States Postal Service.

                          ____________________