[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 17 (Thursday, February 2, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     WILLIAM STREET POSTAL FACILITY

  (Ms. HOCHUL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, I stand with my good colleague from western 
New York, Congressman Brian Higgins, united in opposition to the 
proposed elimination of the postal processing and distribution center 
in Buffalo and the 700 jobs of people that are currently employed 
there.
  I understand the Postal Service has gone through some tough times. 
They need to make some hard decisions. Up in our neck of the woods, 700 
jobs is a very big deal. That is 700 families making mortgage payments, 
700 families making their car payments, and 700 families that haven't 
been able to make their tuition payments.
  In addition to these individuals, businesses, seniors, and rural 
communities we represent would be adversely affected if this were to 
end. This would end the overnight delivery of first-class mail in the 
Buffalo region, impacting all the businesses that depend on this 
service. It would probably slow commerce, delay the delivery of 
medication to our seniors, and impair communications for rural families 
who don't have Internet access.
  At a time when the Postal Service is struggling to retain business, 
they need to be creative and find new ways to garner more customers.

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