[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE NEED FOR ACTION ON POSTAL REFORM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, November 20, 2004

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as the Ranking Member of the 
Committee on Government Reform's Special Panel on Postal Reform and 
Oversight, I rise to urge support for Postal Reform.
  The United States Postal Service is a vital part of a $900 billion 
industry that employs more than 9 million people.
  However, the Postal Service is experiencing a downward economic 
spiral. First Class mail volume continues to decrease with the use of 
technology, such as e-mail and faxes; operating costs as well as the 
number of addresses to which the Postal Service must deliver every day 
are increasing; and the Postal Service is additionally hampered by an 
untenable debt load.
  In recognition of the dire situation of the Postal Service--the 
President in December 2003, created a bipartisan Commission to examine 
the operation and financial challenges faced by the Postal Service, the 
first such action taken in over 30 years. Using the Commission's 
recommendations as a foundation, I am proud to have been a part of the 
Government Reform Committee's bipartisan effort to unanimously pass The 
Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2004, which will help 
ensure a viable future for the United States Postal Service.
  This bill protects collective bargaining rights, allows the Postal 
Service flexibility in ratemaking, releases escrow funds of $73 billion 
to be used to fund health and pension obligations and transfers 
military service obligations back to the Treasury. The result of all of 
provisions is postage rate stability, which will maintain a strong 
customer-base, preserving the universal service provided by the Postal 
Service.
  The President has displayed commitment to advancing postal reform 
legislation by the creation of his commission. I am now calling upon 
the White House to fulfill that commitment and to work productively 
with the Congress to achieve postal reform and rate stability for 
American ratepayers and businesses.
  We have worked tireless to craft a strong bipartisan bill that 
address many of the challenges facing the United States Postal Service. 
But we cannot advance without the direct engagement of the White House. 
With an impending double-digit rate increase set to go into motion in 
the Spring of 2005, it is imperative that Congress, as well as the 
White House, follow through on our commitment to enact postal reform.

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