[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 6, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HARKIN (for himself and Mr. Grassley):
  S. 2600. A bill to provide for the designation of a single ZIP code 
for Windsor Heights, Iowa; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs.
  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, today I rise with my colleague from Iowa 
to introduce a bill to provide the town of Windsor Heights, IA, its own 
ZIP code. Currently, the residents of Windsor Heights share three ZIP 
codes with surrounding communities, Des Moines, West Des Moines, and 
Urbandale. Confusion between the ZIP codes and city boundaries has 
caused delays in mail delivery, an increased amount of undelivered 
mail, and numerous complaints from frustrated citizens. Each day 
sensitive materials, including financial statements, credit cards, 
Social Security checks, and passports pass through the mail stream. It 
is imperative that residents are able to rely on the safe and timely 
delivery of these documents.
  The complications from this problem reach beyond mail delivery. 
During the recent Iowa Caucuses, residents living in Windsor Heights 
Precinct 2 were directed to the wrong address when looking for their 
caucus location. Windsor Heights residents who use the 50322 ZIP code--
one which is shared with neighboring Urbandale--were incorrectly 
advised that the caucus location was in Urbandale, rather than Windsor 
Heights. Furthermore, because insurance rates are based on ZIP codes, 
residents pay premiums based on neighboring Des Moines and Urbandale, 
rather than Windsor Heights, making it more difficult for providers to 
sell car insurance to residents.
  City officials have tried in vain for almost 5 years to acquire a ZIP 
code for Windsor Heights. It is my hope that the Senate will quickly 
act upon this legislation to enable them to do so.
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