[United States Government Manual]
[June 01, 2004]
[Pages 508-509]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 508]]

POSTAL RATE COMMISSION

1333 H Street NW., Washington, DC 20268-0001

Phone, 202-789-6800. Fax, 202-789-6886. Internet, www.prc.gov.
Chairman                                          George A. Omas
Vice Chairman                                     Dana B. Covington
Commissioners                                     Ruth Y. Goldway, Tony 
                                                          Hammond
Special Assistant to the Chairman                 Mark Acton
Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary        Steven W. Williams
General Counsel                                   Stephen L. Sharfman
Director, Office of Rates, Analysis and Planning  Robert Cohen
Director, Office of the Consumer Advocate         Shelley S. Dreifuss
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and           Garry Sikora
        Personnel Officer

[For the Postal Rate Commission statement of organization, see the Code 
        of Federal Regulations, Title 39, Part 3002]

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The major responsibility of the Postal Rate Commission is to submit 
recommended decisions to the United States Postal Service Governors on 
postage rates, fees, and mail classifications.

The Postal Rate Commission is an independent agency created by the 
Postal Reorganization Act, as amended (39 U.S.C. 3601-3604). It is 
composed of five Commissioners, appointed by the President with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, one of whom is designated as Chairman.
    The Commission promulgates rules and regulations, establishes 
procedures, and takes other actions necessary to carry out its 
obligations. Acting upon requests from the U.S. Postal Service or on its 
own initiative, the Commission recommends and issues advisory opinions 
to the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service on changes in rates 
or fees in each class of mail or type of service. It studies and submits 
recommended decisions on establishing or changing the mail 
classification schedule and holds on-the-record hearings that are 
lawfully required to attain sound and fair recommendations. It initiates 
studies on postal matters, such as cost theory and operations.
    The Commission also receives, studies, and conducts hearings and 
issues recommended decisions and reports to the Postal Service on 
complaints received from interested persons relating to postage rates, 
postal classifications, and problems of national scope regarding postal 
services. It has appellate jurisdiction to review Postal Service 
determinations to close or consolidate small post offices. The 
Commission also prepares an annual report on international mail.

Sources of Information

Employment  The Commission's programs require attorneys, economists, 
statisticians, accountants, industrial engineers, marketing specialists, 
and administrative and clerical personnel to fulfill its 
responsibilities. Requests for employment information should be directed 
to the Personnel Officer.
Electronic Access  Electronic access to current docketed case materials 
is available through the Internet, at www.prc.gov. Electronic mail can 
be sent to the Commission at [email protected] and [email protected].
Reading Room  Facilities for inspection and copying of records, viewing 
automated daily lists of docketed

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materials, and accessing the Commission's Internet site are located at 
Suite 300, 1333 H Street NW., Washington, DC. The room is open from 8 
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.
Rules of Practice and Procedure  The Postal Rate Commission's Rules of 
Practice and Procedure governing the conduct of proceedings before the 
Commission may be found in part 3001 of title 39 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations.

For further information, contact the Secretary, Postal Rate Commission, 
1333 H Street NW., Washington, DC 20268-0001. Phone, 202-789-6840. 
Internet, www.prc.gov.

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