Link to contents

letter from azeezaly s. jaffer, vp of public affairs and communications. subject: stop family violence semipostal stamp. a d-link is provided.

[D-LINK]

PUBLICITY KIT

Stop Family Violence Semipostal Stamp

Postal Service employees can find an electronic version of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp publicity kit on the Intranet at http://blue.usps.gov; click on Postmaster's Toolkits. That electronic version makes it easy to complete the fill-in-the-blank materials included in the kit.

Events and Publicity

On October 11, 2003, the U.S. Postal ServiceŽ will issue the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp. This is a nationwide first day of issue; therefore, local dedication ceremonies can be held on the same day as the national ceremony or on any subsequent date.

The Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp will be sold for 45 cents and is scheduled to remain on sale through December 31, 2006. All sales of this stamp must be recorded in AIC 089. The difference between the sales price and the underlying First-Class MailŽ rate constitutes a contribution to provide assistance to the domestic violence programs. It is the third semipostal stamp the Postal ServiceTM has issued. The 45-cent Breast Cancer Research stamp (issued July 29, 1998) is scheduled to remain on sale until December 31, 2003, under the current legislation. The 45-cent Heroes of 2001 stamp (issued June 7, 2002) is scheduled to remain on sale until December 31, 2004.

By law, funds raised from the sale of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp (net of the Postal Service's reasonable costs) will be transferred to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for domestic violence programs.

There are many ways to generate local interest in the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp. Following are some methods to capture customer and media attention.

Event Ideas

Conduct local dedications that include unveiling the Stop Family Violence stamp design. This is a relatively easy way to raise awareness about the stamp and the problem of domestic violence. It will also serve as a reminder that the Postal Service is concerned with and actively involved in community outreach.

Hold the local dedication in conjunction with an existing related event.

Remember that October is national Domestic Violence Awareness Month and contact your state coalition representative listed under Suggested Participating Organizations.

Invite civic, health, and social service organizations to make public purchases of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp. Purchases of the stamp and mailings by celebrities and/or community leaders using the stamp are good media opportunities that newspaper photographers may wish to cover.

Present a framed enlargement of the new stamp to a local shelter, group, or individuals known to be outstanding contributors to the cause.

Partner with a local domestic violence prevention organization, library, and/or recreation center to hold a "Building Safe Families Day." This special day could include sharing information and testimonials as well as other activities that would help educate the community on domestic violence issues while promoting family health and safety.

Implement any of these ideas, combine them, or brainstorm with your employees and come up with ideas of your own. Be sure to publicize each and every event to your local newspaper, radio, and television stations via media advisories and news releases contained in this publicity kit. Don't forget to make follow-up telephone calls.

Event Planning Checklist

When planning Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp events, keep the following suggestions in mind:

Begin planning immediately.

Set a date (on or after October 11, 2003).

Secure participants (in addition to domestic violence organizations identified by your state coalition, consider inviting customers, employees, community leaders, and others).

Order blow-ups of the stamp image, flyers, and other supplies for the event.

Prepare the special pictorial cancellation provided in this kit (see page 4).

Secure staging and sound equipment, if applicable.

Plan signs, including a podium sign and banners.

Launch a local publicity campaign using the materials in this kit.

Draft a sequence-of-events agenda and speaker remarks.

Plan retail opportunities encouraging sales of the stamp.

Prepare ceremony programs and invitations, if applicable.

Publicize by working closely with your Public Affairs and Communications representative (see Suggested Public Relations Timeline on page 13 and Area Public Affairs and Communications Managers contact list on page 17.

Send news clippings to your Area Public Affairs and Communications office.

Suggested Participating Organizations

To locate participants or partnering organizations for your event, contact the appropriate State Domestic Violence Coalition from the list below.

State/City Coalition Contact Telehone Number
AL (Montgomery) Carol Gundlach 334-832-4842
AK (Juneau) Lauree Hugonin 907-586-3650
AZ (Phoenix) Leah Meyers 602-279-2900
AR (North Little Rock) Kerri Bangert 501-907-5612
CA (Sacramento) Ellyne Bell 916-444-7163
CO (Denver) Trish Thibodo 303-831-9632
CT (East Hartford) Lisa Holden 860-282-7899
DE (Wilmington) Carol Post 302-658-2958
DC Nancy Meyer 202-299-1181
FL (Tallahassee) Tiffany Carr 850-425-2749
GA (Atlanta) Nancy Grigsby 404-209-0280
HI (Honolulu) Carol Lee 808-832-9316
ID (Boise) Sue Fellen 208-384-0419
IL (Springfield) Cheryl Howard 217-789-2830
IN (Indianapolis) Laura Berry Berman 317-917-3685
IA (Des Moines) Laurie Schipper 515-244-8028
KS (Topeka) Sandy Barnett 785-232-9784
KY (Frankfort) Sherry Currens 502-695-2444
LA (Baton Rouge) Merni Carter 225-752-1296
ME (Bangor) Kimberly Roberts 207-941-1194
MD (Bowie) Michaele Cohen 301-352-4574
MA (Boston) Cathy Greene 617-248-0922
MI (Okemos) Mary Keefe 517-347-1377
MN (St. Paul) Delrita Rudnitski 651-646-6177
MS (Jackson) Michele Carroll 601-981-9196
MO (Jefferson City) Colleen Coble 573-634-4161
MT (Helena) Donetta Klein 406-443-7794
NE (Lincoln) Sarah O'Shea 402-476-6256
NV (Reno) Sue Meuschke 775-828-1115
NH (Concord) Grace Mattern 603-224-8893
NJ (Trenton) Barbara Price 609-584-8107
State/City Coalition Contact Telehone Number
NM (Albuquerque) Agnes Maldonado 505-246-9240
NY (Albany) Sherry Frohman 518-482-5465
NC (Durham) Marche Clarke 919-956-9124
ND (Bismarck) Bonnie Palacek 701-255-6240
OH (Columbus) Nancy Neylon 614-781-9651
OK (Oklahoma City) Marcia Smith 405-848-1815
OR (Salem) Denise Washington 503-365-9644
PA (Harrisburg) Susan Kelly-Dreiss 717-545-6400
RI (Warwick) Deborah DeBare 401-467-9940
SC (Columbia) Vicki Bourus 803-256-2900
SD (Pierre) Verlaine Gullickson 605-945-0869
TN (Nashville) Kathy England Walsh 615-386-9406
TX (Austin) Sheryl Cates 512-794-1133
UT (Salt Lake City) Judity Kasten-Bell 801-521-5544
VT (Montpelier) Rose Pulliam 802-223-1302
VA (Richmond) Ruth Micklem/Kristi VanAudenhove 804-377-0335
WA (Seattle) Nan Stoops 206-389-2515
WV (Charleston) Susan Julian 304-965-3552
WI (Madison) Mary Lauby 608-255-0539
WY (Laramie) Rosemary Bratton 307-755-5481

Resources - National Domestic Violence Organizations

Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF)

The FVPF works to prevent violence within the and in the community and help people whose lives are devastated by abuse. Every person has the right to live free of violence. For more than two decades, the FVPF has worked to end violence against women and children around the world. Instrumental in developing the landmark Violence Against Women Act, the FVPF continues to reach new audiences, promote leadership within communities, and transform the way health care providers, police, judges, employers, and others address violence.

Contact: FVPF
Telephone: 415-252-8900
Web site: www.endabuse.org
E-mail: info@endabuse.org

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)

NCADV is dedicated to the empowerment of battered women and their children and therefore is committed to the elimination of personal and societal violence in the lives of battered women and their children.

Contact: NCADV
Telephone: 303-839-1852
Web site: www.ncadv.org
E-mail: mainoffice@ncadv.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline

The hotline provides 24-hour, multi-lingual crisis intervention assistance, information about domestic violence, and referrals to local service providers to victims of domestic violence and those calling on their behalf.

Contact: National Domestic Violence Hotline
Telephone: 800-799-SAFE (7233) or
800-787-3224 TTY
Web site: www.ndvh.org
E-mail: ndvh@ndvh.org

National Network to End Domestic Violence

The National Network to End Domestic Violence, a social change organization representing state domestic violence coalitions, is dedicated to creating a social, political, and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists.

Contact: National Network to End Domestic Violence
Telephone: 202-543-5566
Web site: www.nnedv.org

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)

The NRCDV was founded in 1993 as a key component in a national network of domestic violence resources. The NRCDV provides support to all organizations and individuals working to end violence in the lives of victims and their children through technical assistance, training, and information on response to and prevention of domestic violence.

Contact: NRCDV
Telephone: 800-537-2238
Web site: www.nrcdv.org

Stamp Artwork

To purchase stamp artwork, including enlargements (also called "posters" or "blowups"), contact:

JENNIFER KENNEDY
DODGE COLOR
4827 RUGBY AVE STE 100
BETHESDA MD 20814-3028

Telephone: 301-656-0025

Please plan ahead and allow enough time for production and shipping.

Important Reminders

Funds from the sale of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp (less postage and the Postal Service's reasonable costs) will be used by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for domestic violence programs.

All sales for the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp must be recorded in AIC 089.

Stop Family Violence Semipostal Stamp Pictorial Cancellation

The Postal Service has authorized one pictorial cancellation design for field use to help spread awareness about the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp. Post Offices planning events are encouraged to use the design depicted below. Offices can offer this cancellation through mail-back service for 30 days.

As a reminder, the Postal Service must endeavor to make all unusual postmarking services widely known to collectors through advance publicity to avoid limiting the availability of these postmarks. Therefore, all pictorial cancellations must be reported to Stamp Services at least 3 weeks prior to local events. Please use the Pictorial Cancellation Announcement form on page 6 to report your use of the cancellation.

Guidelines for Finalizing Stop Family Violence Station Pictorial Cancellation Art

To finalize the Stop Family Violence Station pictorial cancellation art, insert the date, city, state, and ZIP Code of the physical location of your event. Overall dimensions of the pictorial cancellation must not exceed 4 inches horizontally by 2 inches vertically. Collectors prefer the dimensions 3 1/2 inches by 1 inch.

pictorial cancellation art.

pictorial cancellation announcement form.

Use of Stop Family Violence Semipostal Stamp Image

Organizations outside the Postal Service desiring products featuring the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp image will be directed to authorized Postal Service licensees. Available products may be resold by organizations for fundraising efforts.

Currently, one Postal Service licensee is creating products with the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp image:

US ALLEGIANCE INC
63004 LAYTON AVE
BEND OR 97701-3735

Web Site: www.ipledge.com
Telephone: 800-327-1402
Fax: 800-622-8212

The Postal Service will consider waiving licensing fees for IRS-qualified nonprofit organizations that want to use the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp image for products or uses not addressed by Postal Service licensees. Nonprofit organizations must submit their requests in writing to the following address:

US POSTAL SERVICE LICENSING GROUP
ATTN NONCOMMERCIAL LICENSING PROGRAM
475 L'ENFANT PLZ SW RM 10523
WASHINGTON DC 20260-3100

Written requests must reference the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp and include the name of the nonprofit organization or association, complete address, contact name, telephone number, IRS federal tax exempt number, and a brief description of the proposed use. Upon approval, nonprofit organizations will receive a copy of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp image, along with further approval procedures and reproduction specifications.

Any use of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp image by for-profit entities will require application for a license. Applications are available through:

EQUITY MANAGEMENT INC
101 WEST BIG BEAVER RD STE 1105
TROY MI 48084-4169

Telephone: 248-680-9150

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Stop Family Violence semipostal stamps will be printed?

The Postal Service will print 125 million self-adhesive Stop Family Violence semipostal stamps.

How is this stamp different from postage stamps?

The Stop Family Violence stamp is a semipostal stamp. It is the third U.S. stamp in history to have its net proceeds above postage (and the Postal Service's reasonable costs) earmarked for a specified cause. The first semipostal stamp - Breast Cancer Research - was issued in 1998. The Heroes of 2001 semipostal stamp was issued in 2002.

How much does the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp cost?

The price of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp is 45 cents. It is valid for postage in the amount of the First- Class MailŽ single-piece, first-ounce letter rate in effect at the time of purchase, which is currently 37 cents. The difference between the price of the stamp and the First-Class Mail postage rate (minus the Postal Service's reasonable costs) will be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Who receives the money?

Funds will be transferred to HHS for domestic violence programs.

Who designed the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp?

For the stamp design, art director Carl T. Herrman selected artwork by a young girl, expressing the pain and sadness caused by domestic violence.

Has the Postal Service issued other stamps to promote social or health-related causes?

Yes. For six decades, the Postal Service has issued new stamps to help raise awareness of a variety of health and social issues including prostate cancer, organ and tissue donation, hospice care, drug abuse, AIDS, alcoholism, and environmental conservation. However, none of these were semipostal stamps.

Where will the stamp be available for sale?

Starting October 11, 2003, the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp will be available at Post Offices, vending machines at Postal Service and non-Postal Service locations, by telephone (toll free at 800-STAMP-24), and online at the Postal Store Web site at www.usps.com/shop.

In what AIC should the sales of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp be recorded?

All sales of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp should be recorded in AIC 089.

When does sale of the stamp end?

The stamp is scheduled to remain on sale no later than December 31, 2006.

Domestic Violence Statistics

Approximately one-third of American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. In 2001, more than 500,000 American women were victims of nonfatal violence committed by an intimate partner.

On average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country every day. In 2000, approximately 1,247 women in the United States were killed by an intimate partner.

Pregnant women and new mothers are more likely to be victims of homicide than to die of any other cause. Evidence shows that a significant proportion of all female homicide victims are killed by their intimate partners.

Studies suggest that between 3 and 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually. A 1998 study found that slightly more than half of female victims of intimate violence live in households with children under age 12.

Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to exhibit behavioral and physical health problems including depression, anxiety, and violence toward peers. They are also more likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from , engage in teenage prostitution, and commit sexual assault crimes.

The U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse suggests that domestic violence may be the single major precursor to child abuse and neglect fatalities in this country.

In a national survey of more than 6,000 American families, 50 percent of the men who frequently assaulted their wives also frequently abused their children.

Source: Family Violence Prevention Fund

Service Talk

As the overseer of our nation's commemorative stamp program, the Postal Service has a long history of promoting awareness about a multitude of social causes that affect people throughout the U.S. and around the world.

On July 29, 1998, we issued our nation's first semipostal stamp, Breast Cancer Research, which, to date, has raised more than $33 million for research. It is scheduled to be sold through December 31, 2003.

The Heroes of 2001 stamp was issued June 7, 2002. Sales of that semipostal have raised more than $8 million for families of emergency relief personnel killed or permanently disabled in connection with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Now, on October 11, we will issue the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp to raise funds for domestic violence programs. Sales will start that day. We recommend that you bring these stamps to your customers' attention and ask them to consider purchasing the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp to use on their mailings.

To review, here's how sales must be handled:

The Postal Service must track the exact number of stamps sold. At POS ONE sites, sales of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp will be tracked by scanning the bar code to ensure that sales are recorded in AIC 089. IRT sites will use the MISC AIC key to record every sale of this stamp in AIC 089. The Heroes of 2001 and Breast Cancer Research stamps will continue to be reported in their respective AIC numbers.

All three of the semipostal stamps are valid for postage equal to the First-Class MailŽ first-ounce letter rate in effect at the time of purchase. Customers may have to be reminded that the stamp is good for 37 cents postage (rather than 45 cents). The difference consists of a tax-deductible contribution.

Every Post Office must have Stop Family Violence semipostal stamps available for sale. Each person responsible for ordering and maintaining stamp stock must make certain his or her office has adequate supplies of these stamps.

If your customers indicate they want this stamp but do not want to pay the purchase price (45 cents), please remind them that the law requires the Postal Service to collect the extra amount above postage. Use of semipostal stamps is voluntary. Offer your customer an alternative stamp to purchase if they elect not to make a contribution.

Advise customers interested in donating without buying the stamp that they can do so through local or national charitable organizations.

Give customers a receipt. For retail offices that cannot provide the customer with a POS ONE or IRT receipt, use PS Form 1096, Receipt (see page 10).

This self-adhesive stamp can be sold individually over the counter. Each pane has been specifically die-cut for that purpose.

Effective October 11, 2003, the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp vending packet (Item 367500) will be released for sale, priced at $4.50, and sold from vend D3 (50 vends) in all multi-commodity machines in service, specifically the PCM-1625A and PCM-1625B. This stamp will remain on sale through December 31, 2006. Product identifiers have been created and can be downloaded from the self- service Web site at http://retail.usps.gov/html/programs/selfservice.html. Each packet contains 10 Stop Family Violence semipostal stamps, one PS Form 1096, Receipt, and one sheet of instructions for completing PS Form 1096.

Thank you for your help in promoting the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp with our customers.

PS Form 1096, April 1998, Receipt.

Retail Information - Postal Store

The Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp will be packaged for Postal Stores on a "semipostal backer card." A receipt form will be printed directly on the backer card with instructions on how to correctly compute the tax-deductible portion of this purchase. An automatic distribution of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp will be made to the postal stores as well as to the stamp distribution offices (SDOs). This semipostal stamp will be available by the SDOs and the Albuquerque Postal Stores for reorder from Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI). Distribution of this semipostal stamp will not be made to SDOs until the first day of issue date is announced.

Taxpayers who purchase a Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp from the Postal Service are entitled to treat, as a charitable contribution, the difference between the price of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp and the price of regular First-Class MailŽ postage in effect at the time of purchase. All sales of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp must be tracked under AIC 089.

Cash Receipts: Postage and Fees Refunds for Semipostal Stamps

Customers may exchange or convert semipostal stamps for their postage value (i.e., the price of the stamps less the contribution amount) to the extent that exchange or conversion of postage stamps is permitted under Domestic Mail Manual P014, Refunds and Exchanges. The postage the customer exchanges or converts is equal to the First-Class Mail single-piece rate in effect at the time of exchange. However, if the customer provides a receipt showing the date of purchase, the postage exchanged or converted is equal to the First-Class Mail single-piece rate in effect at the time of purchase. The contribution amount is not refundable and is not included in the exchange or conversion value.

Recording Sales at POS ONE and IRT Sites

At POS ONE sites, sales of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp should be tracked by scanning the bar code to ensure that sales are properly recorded in AIC 089. IRT sites should use the MISC AIC key to record every sale of this stamp in AIC 089.

Vending Packets

Effective October 11, 2003, the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp vending packet (Item 367500) will be priced at $4.50 and sold from vend D3 (50 vends) in all multi-commodity machines in service, specifically the PCM-1625A and PCM-1625B. Product identifiers have been created and can be downloaded from the self- service Web site at http://retail.usps.gov/html/programs/selfservice.html. Each packet will contain 10 Stop Family Violence semipostal stamps, one PS Form 1096, Receipt, and one sheet of instructions for completing PS Form 1096.

Letter From Department of Treasury

A letter from the Internal Revenue Service explains that the difference between the price of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp and the price of regular First-Class Mail postage will be treated as a charitable contribution (see letter on page 12).

department of treasury letter. a d-link is provided.

[D-LINK]

Advertising Plan

During the holiday drive period (October 18-December 26, 2003) and the new year drive period (December 27, 2003-March 31, 2004), the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp will be featured on an 8 1/2 inch x 11 inch in-store messaging counter card. The counter card (titled "Fundraising Stamps") will also include images of the Breast Cancer Research and Heroes of 2001 semipostal stamps. For future drive periods, the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp will continue to be featured on an in-store messaging component along with the other semipostal stamps currently offered for sale.

Suggested Public Relations Timeline

Note: If you have questions or need assistance with any of these items, please contact your area's Public Affairs and Communications (PAC) manager (see page 17).

Action Suggested Timing
Send invitations to local and area dignitaries, send announcements and invitations to employees and distribute news release. A few weeks before the event.
Distribute media advisory to all news media. 1 week before the event.
Remind invited dignitaries about event via telephone. 5 days before the event.
Redistribute media advisory to all news media. 1 to 2 days before the event.
Make follow-up calls to local news media. 1 day before the event.
Distribute day-of-issuance news release. Day of the event.
Send newspaper clips to area Public Affairs and Communications manager. Within 1 week after the event.

US Postal Service Logo. Postal News.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE]
[INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com

MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

[INSERT CITY NAME] Post Office Joins Fight Against Domestic Violence With New Fundraising Stamp

WHAT: The U.S. Postal ServiceŽ is inviting everyone in the community to join the fight against domestic violence at a ceremonial unveiling of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp. A portion of the proceeds from sales of this semipostal stamp will provide assistance to domestic violence programs. [INSERT BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ANY ADDITIONAL EVENT ACTIVITIES]

WHO: [INSERT LIST OF NOTABLE EVENT PARTICIPANTS, PERFORMERS, ETC.]

WHEN: [INSERT HOUR, DAY, AND DATE]

WHERE: [LIST EXACT LOCATION OF EVENT]

DETAILS: The 45-cent Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp is the third semipostal in U.S. history. This new stamp was issued on October 11, 2003. Funds raised from sale of the stamp (less First-Class MailŽ postage and the Postal Service'sTM reasonable costs) will be transferred to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for domestic violence programs.

CONTACTS: [INSERT NAME(S) AND PHONE NUMBER(S) OF LOCAL MEDIA SPOKESPERSON(S)]

# # #

US Postal Service Logo. Postal News.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE]
[INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com

NEWS RELEASE

[INSERT CITY NAME] Post Office Invites Community to Join Fight Against Domestic
Violence - Postal Service Issues Stop Family Violence Semipostal Stamp

[INSERT NAME OF CITY AND STATE] - The [INSERT CITY NAME] Post OfficeTM has joined a nationwide effort to fight domestic violence through sales of a new stamp.

The Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp is the third semipostal in U.S. history. As a semipostal, the difference between the sales price of the stamp (45 cents) and the underlying postage in effect at the time of purchase (less the Postal Service'sTM reasonable costs) consists of a charitable contribution.

"The Postal Service is pleased to announce the availability of the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp," said Postmaster [INSERT FIRST AND LAST NAME]. "The Postal Service has a proud tradition of issuing stamps to help raise awareness of social issues. The Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp takes this wonderful tradition a step further by providing funds for a worthy cause. We encourage everyone to purchase and use the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp on their cards and letters."

[INSERT ONE PARAGRAPH DESCRIBING THE STAMP EVENT THAT TOOK OR WILL TAKE PLACE AT YOUR LOCAL POST OFFICE OR OTHER LOCATION]

The 45-cent, self-adhesive Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp is valid for postage at the First-Class MailŽ first-ounce letter rate in effect at the time of purchase (currently 37 cents), with the differential (currently 8 cents, less the Postal Service's reasonable costs) going to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for domestic violence programs. The differential consists of a tax-deductible contribution.

For the stamp design, art director Carl T. Herrman of Carlsbad, Calif., selected artwork by a young girl, expressing the pain and sadness caused by domestic violence. To see the stamp, go to the Collector's Corner of the Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop.

The first U.S. semipostal stamp was Breast Cancer Research, issued in 1998. To date, more than $30 million has been raised for breast cancer research. Heroes of 2001 was issued June 7, 2002, and it has raised more than $8 million for the families of relief personnel killed or permanently disabled during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

These semipostal stamps are available for purchase at Post Offices across the country, by toll- free telephone orders at 800-STAMP-24 and by online orders at the Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop.

Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. It is an independent federal agency that visits 140 million s and businesses every day and is the only service provider to deliver to every address in the nation. The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of more than $66 billion, it is the world's leading provider of mail and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The Postal Service delivers more than 43 percent of the world's mail volume - some 203 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year - and serves seven million customers each day at its 38,000 retail locations nationwide.

# # #

Area Public Affairs and Communications Managers

For publicity assistance, contact the Public Affairs and Communications manager serving your area.

EARL C ARTIS JR
MGR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
USPS SOUTHEAST AREA
4000 DEKALB TECHNOLOGY PKY
ATLANTA GA 30340-2799
770-454-0618

CESTA AYERS JR
A/MGR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
USPS SOUTHWEST AREA
7800 N STEMMONS FWY STE 450
DALLAS TX 75247-4220
214-819-8717

SCOTT BUDNY
MGR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
SOUTHWEST AREA
1745 STOUT ST STE 1075
DENVER CO 80299-7500
303-313-5130

DEBRA HAWKINS
MGR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
USPS NORTHEAST AREA
6 GRIFFIN RD N
WINDSOR CT 06006-9876
860-285-7265

DAVID MAZER
MGR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
USPS PACIFIC AREA
7001 S CENTRAL AVE RM 364A
LOS ANGELES CA 90052-9641
323-586-1210

JIM MRUK
MGR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
USPS GREAT LAKES AREA
244 KNOLLWOOD DR FL 4
BLOOMINGDALE IL 60117-2208
630-539-6565

PAUL F SMITH
MGR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
USPS EASTERN AREA
PO BOX 40593
PHILADELPHIA PA 19197-0593
215-931-5054

DIANE TODD
MGR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
USPS NEW YORK METRO AREA
421 EIGHTH AVE RM 5114
NEW YORK NY 10199-9681
212-330-3167

Government Relations Contacts

We can help! Your Government Relations representatives are here to serve you. We can assist you in contacting and inviting elected officials to participate in your event.

Alphabetical State/Representative Listing

State Contact Telephone Number
Alabama Laurie Solnik 202-268-3743
Alaska Talaya Simpson 202-268-3750
American Samoa Talaya Simpson 202-268-3750
Arizona Gerald Kreienkamp 202-268-3744
Arkansas Renee Gadson 202-268-7217
California Bill Weagley 202-268-3745
Connecticut Jo Waterman 202-268-6748
Colorado Gerald Kreienkamp 202-268-3744
Delaware Jo Waterman 202-268-6748
District of Columbia Rebecca Sumner 202-268-3755
Florida Laurie Solnik 202-268-3743
Georgia Bill Weagley 202-268-3745
Guam Talaya Simpson 202-268-3750
Hawaii Talaya Simpson 202-268-3750
Idaho Talaya Simpson 202-268-3750
Illinois Jennifer Alvarez 202-268-7839
Indiana Linda Macasa 202-268-7505
Iowa Linda Macasa 202-268-7505
Kansas Gerald Kreienkamp 202-268-3744
Kentucky Paul Harrington 202-268-6029
Louisiana Gerald Kreienkamp 202-268-3744
Maine Katherine Sitterle 202-268-6027
Maryland Rebecca Sumner 202-268-3755
Massachusetts Jo Waterman 202-268-6748
Michigan Jennifer Alvarez 202-268-7839
Minnesota Linda Macasa 202-268-7505
Mississippi Laurie Solnik 202-268-3743
Missouri Linda Macasa 202-268-7505
Montana Talaya Simpson 202-268-3750
Nebraska Gerald Kreienkamp 202-268-3744
Nevada Talaya Simpson 202-268-3750
New Hampshire Jo Waterman 202-268-6748
New Jersey Jo Waterman 202-268-6748
New Mexico Gerald Kreienkamp 202-268-3744
New York Katherine Sitterle 202-268-6027
North Carolina Bill Weagley 202-268-3745
North Dakota Linda Macasa 202-268-7505
Ohio Paul Harrington 202-268-6029
Oklahoma Renee Gadson 202-268-7217
Oregon Talaya Simpson 202-268-3750
Pennsylvania Rebecca Sumner 202-268-3755
Puerto Rico Katherine Sitterle 202-268-6027
Rhode Island Jo Waterman 202-268-6748
South Carolina Talaya Simpson 202-268-3750
South Dakota Linda Macasa 202-268-7505
Tennessee Talaya Simpson 202-268-3750
State Contact Telephone Number
Texas Renee Gadson 202-268-7217
Utah Gerald Kreienkamp 202-268-3744
Vermont Katherine Sitterle 202-268-6027
Virgin Islands Katherine Sitterle 202-268-6027
Virginia Paul Harrington 202-268-6029
Washington Talaya Simpson 202-268-3750
West Virginia Paul Harrington 202-268-6029
Wisconsin Jennifer Alvarez 202-268-7839
Wyoming Gerald Kreienkamp 202-268-3744

- Community Relations,
Public Affairs and Communications, 9-18-03