[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HEARING ON ``MAKING SENSE OF IT ALL: AN EXAMINATION OF USPS'S STATION 
  AND BRANCH OPTIMIZATION INITIATIVE AND DELIVERY ROUTE ADJUSTMENTS''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2009

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I submit the following statement I made 
in the Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the 
District of Columbia.

[Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of 
                        Columbia, July 30, 2009]

 Hearing on ``Making Sense of It All: An Examination of USPS's Station 
  and Branch Optimization Initiative and Delivery Route Adjustments.''

                      (By Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich)

       As an ardent supporter of the Post Office, I am deeply 
     concerned about USPS' financial condition and I appreciate 
     the magnitude of the task ahead of the Postal Service to 
     ensure its survival.
       As you know, on July 16th, the Postal Service announced 
     that 16 Post Office Branches in the Greater Cleveland Area 
     would be reviewed for possible consolidation. After reading 
     the testimony and the GAO report for this hearing, and after 
     hearing from my constituents, I have several concerns. I am 
     concerned that final decisions regarding each branch under 
     consideration for consolidation will be made without full 
     community participation and input. I am concerned that people 
     in my community and communities across the country will face 
     a significant and unnecessary reduction in access to crucial 
     services. I have concerns about the private sector taking 
     over the services that these facilities provide--because 
     privatization of a public need like postal service rarely 
     goes well. The review process must be done at the local level 
     and must consider the unique demands on each individual 
     facility to ensure that the concerns of the community, 
     customer, postal workers and effects on the local economy are 
     fully considered.
       Mr. Small, can you please address those concerns? 
     Specifically, how does the Postal Service ensure community 
     participation in the decision making process? How does it use 
     demographic and socio-economic data in making the 
     recommendation to consolidate or close any postal facility? 
     How do I know that any reduction in facilities will not allow 
     private companies to take over the services that will be 
     lost?
       (he will give an answer that will likely not be sufficient 
     to address the concerns)
       Mr. Small, I thank you for your answer but I remain very 
     concerned. I have here a letter addressed to you asking 
     specific questions about the postal service's decision-making 
     process. I would like to respectfully ask your cooperation in 
     providing the answers. May I count on your help?

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