DISTRICT MANAGERS, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SALES
POSTMASTERS

SUBJECT: To Form A More Perfect Union Commemorative Stamps

To Form A More Perfect UnionTM commemorative stamps recognize the courage and achievements of the men and women who, during the years of the Civil Rights Movement, struggled to bring the vision of our founding fathers closer to reality.

At eight first-day-of-issue ceremonies on August 30, 2005, the United States Postal Service® will dedicate the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative postage stamps. These new stamps are part of the Postal Service'sTM 2005 stamp program celebrating the people and events that have shaped the history of our nation. The To Form A More Perfect Union stamps commemorate 10 important milestones of the Civil Rights Movement - Brown v. Board of Education (Topeka, KS); Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Memphis, TN); Freedom Riders (Jackson, MS); Little Rock Nine (Little Rock, AR); Lunch Counter Sit-Ins (Greensboro, NC); Montgomery Bus Boycott (Montgomery, AL); Selma March (Selma, AL); Executive Order 9981; March on Washington; and Voting Rights Act of 1965 (Washington, DC).

The To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamps will be available in Post OfficesTM nationwide on August 30.

Several stamp unveilings have already taken place surrounding the announcement of the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamps. Throughout the coming year, there will be opportunities in every community across the nation to trace the history of our nation's civil rights movement. We urge you to plan your own local events, to showcase these stamps and to educate employees and customers about the historic events that inspired these 10 stamps.

This field publicity kit will help you implement the To Form A More Perfect Union stamps events in your community by providing you with planning ideas, African-American Political Organizations, History Museums and Greek Letter Organizations contacts, talking points, news releases, and Public Affairs and Communications, Employee Development and Diversity, and Government Relations contacts. The expertise of these three teams can help you develop and plan successful local events.

As we make plans to raise awareness by promoting the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamps, we want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support. Promoting the Postal Service's stamp program provides us with a unique way to gain community support for the Postal Service and helps strengthen our ties with the communities we serve.

Azeezaly S. Jaffer
Vice President
Public Affairs and Communications

Susan M. LaChance
Vice President
Employee Development and Diversity

cc: Vice Presidents, Area Operations
Manager, Capital Metro Operations

PUBLICITY KIT

To Form A More Perfect Union Commemorative Stamps Sheet

An electronic version of the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamps sheet publicity kit is posted on the intranet at http://blue.usps.gov; click on Public Affairs and Communications, then Postmaster's Toolkits. That electronic version makes it easy to complete the fill-in- the-blank materials included in the kit.

Overview

Use the To Form A More Perfect Union postage stamps to trace the history of our nation's civil rights movement through vivid illustrations of key events, people, and decisions that changed the course of this nation, to educate employees and customers about historical events relating to these 10 stamps, to celebrate the milestones of the Civil Rights Movement, to make these historic achievements relevant today, and to differentiate the Postal ServiceTM from our competitors through the opportunity our stamp program provides us.

To Form A More Perfect Union stamps recognize the courage and achievement of the men and women who, during the years of the Civil Rights Movement, struggled to bring the vision of our founding fathers closer to reality. Ten important milestones of the Civil Rights Movement are commemorated with the To Form A More Perfect Union stamps: Executive Order 9981, issued by President Harry S. Truman and implemented over several ensuing years, abolishing segregation in the United States armed forces; Brown v. Board of Education; Montgomery Bus Boycott; Little Rock Nine; Lunch Counter Sit-Ins; Freedom Riders; March on Washington; Civil Rights Act of 1964; Selma March, and Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Stamps and First-Day Issuances

The U.S. Postal Service will issue the 10 To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative postage stamps nationwide on August 30, 2005, in Greensboro, NC; Montgomery, AL; Memphis, TN; Selma, AL; Topeka, KS; Jackson, MS; Little Rock, AR; and Washington, DC. For this nationwide issuance, 70 million stamps have been printed.

Publicity Ideas to Interest the Media

The To Form A More Perfect Union stamps sheet is a nationwide issue and stamps will be available at Post Offices throughout the country on August 30. You may hold a "second-day" event for the To Form A More Perfect Union stamps throughout the rest of the year.

Local and national publicity will help promote awareness about historical events relating to these 10 stamps. This is an opportunity to celebrate the milestones of the Civil Rights Movement and to make these historic achievements relevant today.

Here are some methods to capture media attention:

Copy the First-Day Event Theme

The first-day-of-issue events will take place August 30. Senior Postal Service participants will include governors, officers, and employees. Events will also include congressional leaders and representatives from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), National Urban League, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro, NC, Central High School National Historic Site director in Little Rock, AR, National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN, the Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts in Montgomery, AL, Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, KS, and other dignitaries.

Because these stamps have significant national importance, it is a good idea to contact your Postal Service Government Relations representative for guidance to involve public officials when planning your event (see page 28 for the list of Government Relations contacts).

Members of Congress, civil rights activists, and the African-American community will be interested in these stamps and the events surrounding them.

Your area Public Affairs and Communications representatives are available and ready to assist you in generating publicity for your events. (See page 27 for the list of Area Public Affairs and Communications managers.)

Other Event Ideas

• Look for opportunities to sponsor events with local community groups, schools, and civil rights organizations.

• Contact the local chapter of one of the nationally recognized African-American organizations to host an event.

• Host an event at your local African-American History Museum.

• Partner with nationally recognized Greek letter organizations in your area to host an event.

• Set up displays at local libraries where customers can learn the history behind the significant events centered around these stamps.

• Set up displays in front of Post Offices.

• Partner with local colleges and universities (especially historically Black colleges and universities).

• Partner with local churches in African-American communities (especially African Methodist Episcopal churches).

• Generate publicity for the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamps with a simple stamp dedication ceremony in your Post Office lobby. The Postal Service continuously issues new stamps to help raise awareness about a variety of events, persons, and themes of widespread national appeal and significance, and stamps that are both interesting and educational.

• Check with local cable television stations that may regularly air civil rights documentaries to see if they are interested in covering your event or if they would consider inviting event participants on their program.

Implement any of these ideas, combine them, or brainstorm with your employees and come up with ideas of your own. Using the publicity materials in this kit, be sure to publicize each and every event through your local newspaper and radio and television stations via press releases, media advisories, and letters to the media. And don't forget to make follow-up phone calls.

Event Planning Checklist

When planning To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamp events, keep the following suggestions in mind:

• Set a date.

• Begin planning immediately.

• Contact your local NAACP, the Urban League, sororities and fraternities, historically Black colleges, and other African- American organizations to see if they can participate in the To Form A More Perfect Union stamp event in your city.

• Secure participants.

• Order enlargements of the stamp images, flyers, and other supplies for the event.

• Prepare a special pictorial postmark, if applicable. (See announcement form on page 6.)

• Secure staging and sound equipment, if applicable.

• Plan signage, 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 (booth, bag stuffers, etc.).

• Prepare ceremony programs and invitations.

Pictorial Postmarks

Pictorial postmarks have not been produced on a national level, but Post Offices planning second-day events may design their own special pictorial postmark. 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 postmarks must be reported to Stamp Development 3 weeks prior to local events. Please use the announcement form on the following page to report your use of a postmark.

Guidelines for Finalizing To Form A More Perfect Union Commemorative Stamps Pictorial Postmark Art

To finalize the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamps pictorial postmark art, insert the date, city, state, and ZIP CodeTM of the physical location of your event adjacent to the stamp image. Overall dimensions of the pictorial postmark must not exceed 4 inches horizontally by 2 inches vertically. Collectors prefer the dimensions 3 1/2 inches by 1 inch.

Second-Day Postmarks

Second-day postmarks are pictorial postmarks and follow the same guidelines as above. The word "Station" or the abbreviation "STA" is required somewhere in the design, since it will be a temporary station.

Pictorial Postmark Announcement

Mail Postmark Requests to:

Stamp Artwork

To purchase artwork of the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamps, including poster-sized enlargements, color transparencies, and color prints, contact:

VICTOR PULUPA
DODGE COLOR
4827 RUGBY AVE STE 100
BETHESDA MD 20814-3028

E-mail: victor@dodgecolor.com
Phone: 301-656-0025 x 212
Fax: 301-656-0435

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

Suggested Public Relations Timeline

Note: If you have questions or need assistance with any of these items, please contact the Public Affairs and Communications representative serving your area.

Products and Licensing

• First-Day Cover Digital Color Postmark Keepsake
(Item 567199) $5.20
(Full pane with random single color postmark FDC)

• Postmark Keepsake
(Item 567193) $9.90
(Full pane of stamps and a full pane canceled)

• Cultural Diary Page
(Item 567196) $8.95
(Two diary pages - one with text and one for stamp; pane of stamps; stamp mount)

• Expressions of African Americans: A Cultural Diary
(Item 458096) $34.95
(Book with four diary pages and stamps - actor and singer Paul Robeson, athlete Wilma Rudolph, author James Baldwin, Kwanzaa; a writing tablet.)

Also available is the Marian Anderson Cultural Diary page - diary page, pane of stamps, and illustrated envelope (Item 458076, $12.95) and the Arthur Ashe Cultural Diary Page (Item 457496, $12.95) - A single diary page, stamp mount, and full pane/sheet of 20 Arthur Ashe stamps.

This unique collectible consists of a beautifully illustrated binder designed to hold current and future insert cards of African-American stamp issues as well as personal notes. The initial product offering includes the binder, insert cards, stamps, and mounts for four African-American issues from 2004 (actor/singer Paul Robeson, a writing tablet, athlete Wilma Rudolph, author James Baldwin, and Kwanzaa), as well as a companion notepad for recording personal thoughts.

Details

The 10 x 13 inches binder features a montage of African-American historical photographs combined with rich textures and decorative elements rendered in warm earth tones of reds, golds, and browns.

The interior, 8 1/2 x 11 inches wire-bound pages, are a deep brown and contain slits in all four corners to allow insertion of stamp issuance cards and notepad pages.

Cultural Diary pages measure 7 3/8 x 10 inches and contain photographs of the featured stamp subject, biographical information, timeline, and memorable quotations. Cards are executed in tones designed to echo the color palette of the binder. There is also a reproduction of a stamp on each card to designate space for mounting the actual stamp. Cultural Diary pages will be produced for all future African-American issues and will include a separate stamp and mount. Separately retailing for $7.95, Cultural Diary pages for 2005 include Marian Anderson, Arthur Ashe, and the To Form A More Perfect Union pane.

The companion notepad included with the package is sized to match the diary pages so that the user can record personal thoughts and combine these personal pages in the binder with the stamp issuance cards. The pages can be rearranged as desired to create a uniquely individual album.

This lovely and unusual product is an ideal vehicle to preserve thoughts from and about notable African Americans, to generate interest in collecting stamps, and to create a family treasure.

The Cultural Diary can be ordered by calling 800-STAMP-24 or by visiting at the Postal Store online at www.usps.com.

Licensing and Use of To Form A More Perfect Union Commemorative Stamps Image

Listed below are the licensees that can create products featuring the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamp. Please call the company directly to order.

For additional information about licensing and use of the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamp image, please contact Licensing@usps.com.

To Form A More Perfect Union Commemorative Stamps Dedication Speech

The following suggested speech may be used at local ceremonies and events to support and promote the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamps. Feel free to customize it to fit your local event and community.

Good [INSERT `MORNING/AFTERNOON']

I'm [INSERT NAME OF POSTMASTER/DISTRICT MANAGER/MC] and it's a tremendous honor for me to represent the United States Postal Service today as we [DEDICATE/UNVEIL] the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamps.

We are proud to add the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamps to our stamp program. For more than 150 years, the United States Postal Service has issued special stamps to help raise public awareness of a variety of important historical events.

The events chronicled in this pane of 10 stamps are a story of perseverance and triumph. Through these stamps, we honor those who fought so hard to achieve peace, equality, and justice in our great nation.

The stamps are a striking timeline of the Civil Rights Movement in this country - the quest for equal rights for all Americans.

The first stamp represents President Truman's 1948 Executive Order - Executive Order 9981 - eliminating segregation in America's armed forces.

From there, we have the landmark 1954 Brown versus the Board of Education decision; then the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott; the brave young students who became the Little Rock Nine of 1957; the 1960 Lunch Counter Sit-Ins; the Freedom Riders of 1961; Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous 1963 March on Washington; the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Selma-to-Montgomery marches of 1965; and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year.

As I look at today's audience, I know that many of us probably have our own civil rights stories. Whether we experienced the movement or read about it, we know it is a story of hope, courage, and achievement. As these stamps travel quickly, easily, and affordably on letters and packages to every house in America, they will serve as reminders of the men and women who sacrificed, bled, and died to let freedom ring.

I think Martin Luther King, Jr., said it best. A quote from King anchors the commemorative pane: "For in a real sense, America is essentially a dream. A dream as yet unfulfilled. It is a dream of a land where men of all races, of all nationalities, and of all creeds can live together as brothers."

So, with these new stamps, in this small way, we have created a lasting tribute to the unforgettable Civil Rights Movement that will continue to light the way to a better, more just future for all Americans. Let's work every day to make that dream a reality.

Now, on behalf of the United States Postal Service, I would like to ask [INSERT NAMES OF UNVEILING PARTICIPANTS IF APPLICABLE] to join me in officially [DEDICATING/UNVEILING] the To Form A More Perfect Union stamps!

To Form A More Perfect Union Commemorative Postage Stamps Facts and Suggested Talking Points

• These commemorative U.S. postage stamps are being issued to celebrate the milestones of the Civil Rights Movement. Each stamp depicts more than history; each paints a portrait of a legacy of freedom.

Executive Order 9981 is a silk-screen print made circa 1941 by William H. Johnson's Training for War.

The Lunch Counter Sit-Ins movement to integrate "whites-only" lunch counters is recalled by an exhibit created for the National Civil Rights Museum by StudioEIS, a design and fabrication firm in New York.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott is represented by a detail from Walking, a 1958 painting by Charles Alston.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is suggested by Dixie Café, a 1948 brush-and-ink drawing by Jacob Lawrence.

The March on Washington was painted in 1964 by Alma Thomas.

The Selma March is represented by a 1991 acrylic painting by Bernice Sims.

Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark ruling, is suggested by Romare Bearden's 1984 lithograph, The Lamp.

Freedom Riders is a 1963 gouache by May Stevens honoring the men and women known as the Freedom Riders.

Little Rock Nine is a 1997 George Hunt painting, America Cares.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is suggested by Bruce Davidson's 1965 photograph Youths on the Selma March.

• Seventy million To Form A More Perfect Union stamps have been printed for this nationwide issuance.

• As with all of our stamp subjects, the ideas and suggestions for stamps are submitted to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) from American citizens. CSAC carefully reviews every one of the 50,000 recommendations it receives each year against a long list of criteria. The subjects the committee selects then go to the postmaster general for final selection.

The Postal Service is interested in providing a diverse stamp program to the American public that appeals to a wide audience of varied interests and best represents the people, events, and accomplishments that have shaped our nation.

• Stamp collecting is a fun activity for the entire family that helps children learn about the world they live in.

• Customers can get information about stamps and other Postal Service products by calling 800-STAMP-24 or by going to our Web site at www.usps.com.

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

SAMPLE MEDIA ADVISORY
STAMP DEDICATION IN [INSERT CITY] FOCUSED ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

Event: Dedication of the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative postage stamps

Who: [List only dignitaries, key Postal Service officials and any well-known special
guests participating in or attending the event and provide their affiliations.]

What: [Description of why this event is newsworthy; list any entertainment, stamp
collectibles, etc.]

When: [Day, date, time]

Where: [Exact location of event]

Background: The To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative postage stamps were issued on
August 30, 2005. The dedication and issuance of these stamps carry a powerful
message honoring those who fought long and hard to obtain equality for the
betterment of American society.

# # #

Sample news release to be issued a few weeks prior to event. Use this as a guide for creating a news release that builds anticipation for your event. Include information and activities associated with the event.

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

SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE
SPECIAL DEDICATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT COMMEMORATIVE
POSTAGE STAMPS TO BE HELD IN [LOCATION]

[INSERT NAME OF YOUR CITY] - The historic milestone that linked [NAME OF TOWN/CITY] to the Civil Rights Movement will be immortalized on postage when the Postmaster of [TOWN NAME] is joined by [INSERT ORGANIZATION/SPECIAL GUEST] to dedicate the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamp sheet. The [NAME OF STAMP] as one of 10 stamps depicted on the stamp sheet, will be dedicated during a special ceremony at [INSERT LOCATION] at [TIME] on August 30.

[INSERT CITY] played a major role during the Civil Rights Movement when [DESCRIBE EVENT. USE BACKGROUND INFORMATION THAT FOLLOWS THIS NEWS RELEASE AS A GUIDE.]

[INSERT CITY] Postmaster [INSERT POSTMASTER'S NAME] will dedicate these stamps in an effort to inform, promote awareness and celebrate this landmark of the Civil Rights Movement. Scheduled to join [INSERT POSTMASTER'S LAST NAME] at the ceremony will be [INSERT CELEBRITY OR LOCAL/AREA DIGNITARIES].

[INSERT OTHER NOTABLE HAPPENINGS AT EVENT].

"[INSERT QUOTE]," said [INSERT POSTMASTER'S LAST NAME].

These new stamps are part of the Postal Service's 2005 stamp program, a program that celebrates the people, events and history of our nation. The To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative postage stamps trace the history of our nation's Civil Rights Movement through vivid illustrations of key events, people and decisions that changed the course of this nation.

To Form A More Perfect Union stamps recognize the courage and achievement of the men and women who, during the years of the Civil Rights Movement, struggled to bring the vision of our founding fathers closer to reality.

Ten important milestones of the Civil Rights Movement: Executive Order 9981 - the order issued by President Harry S. Truman that abolished segregation in the U.S. military; Brown v. Board of Education; Montgomery Bus Boycott; Little Rock Nine; Lunch Counter Sit-Ins; Freedom Riders; March on Washington, Civil Rights Act of 1964; Selma March and Voting Rights Act of 1965 - are commemorated with the To Form A More Perfect Union stamps.

Executive Order 9981
On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981 mandating full integration in all branches of the U.S. military. By the time the Korean conflict ended in the following decade, this had largely been achieved. William H. Johnson's Training for War, a silk-screen print made circa 1941, recalls President Harry S. Truman's Executive Order.

Lunch Counter Sit-Ins
When four African-American college students placed an order at a "whites only" lunch counter in Greensboro, NC, in 1960, they sparked acts of civil disobedience in many other cities. The sit-in movement to integrate "whites-only" lunch counters is recalled by an exhibit created for the National Civil Rights Museum by StudioEIS, a design and fabrication firm in New York.

Montgomery Bus Boycott
After Rosa Parks was arrested on Dec. 1, 1955, for refusing to let a white passenger take her seat on a Montgomery, AL, bus, African Americans began a prolonged boycott of the bus company by walking or carpooling for more than a year. On Dec. 21, 1956, black passengers once again rode Montgomery City Lines. The Boycott is represented by a detail from Walking, a 1958 painting by Charles Alston.

Civil Rights Act of 1964
Designed to provide broad protections against discrimination on the basis of race, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Among its other provisions, the law prohibited discrimination in public accommodations such as hotels, restaurants and theaters. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is suggested by Dixie Café, a 1948 brush-and-ink drawing by Jacob Lawrence.

March on Washington
More than 250,000 people marched in Washington, DC, for racial justice in 1963, and Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. March on Washington, painted in 1964 by Alma Thomas, commemorates the great demonstration.

Selma March
In the spring of 1965, demonstrators demanding an end to discrimination gathered in Selma, AL, to march to the state capital 50 miles away. This is represented by Selma March, a 1991 acrylic painting by Bernice Sims.

Brown v. Board of Education
A unanimous ruling of the United States Supreme Court in the case of Brown v. Board of Education (1954) declared that separate educational facilities for black and white children are inherently unequal. The landmark ruling is suggested by Romare Bearden's lithograph, The Lamp (1984).

Freedom Riders
To test a ruling that outlawed segregation of bus stations and terminals serving interstate travelers, biracial groups of men and women volunteered to take bus rides through the South, using the "wrong" facilities at stops. Several Freedom Riders were injured because of mob violence instigated by segregationists, eliciting an outpouring of support and concern. A gouache by May Stevens called Freedom Riders (1963) honors the Freedom Riders.

Little Rock Nine
After the Supreme Court declared segregated schools unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education, many public school systems were slow to adapt to the new legal reality. In 1957, nine courageous students became the first African Americans to attend Central High School in Little Rock, AR, where they endured virulent harassment and received the protection of federal troops. George Hunt's painting, America Cares (1997), remembers the nine courageous students.

Voting Rights Act of 1965
With leaders of the Civil Rights Movement standing by, President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, strengthening the federal government's ability to prevent state and local governments from denying citizens the right to vote because of their race. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is suggested by Bruce Davidson's photograph Youths on the Selma March (1965).

Current U.S. stamps, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by calling 800-STAMP-24. A selection of stamps and other philatelic items are also available at the online Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop. In addition, beautifully custom-framed prints of original stamp designs are available at www.postalartgallery.com.

Since 1775, the Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. An independent federal agency, the Postal Service makes deliveries to more than 142 million addresses 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 $69 billion, it is the world's leading provider of mail and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. Moreover, today's postage rates will remain stable until at least 2006. The Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume - some 206 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages per year - and serves seven million customers each day at its 37,000 retail locations nationwide.

# # #

Sample news release to be issued the day of event. Use this as a guide for creating your news release. Use past tense and include information and activities associated with the event.

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

SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE
TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION COMMEMORATIVE STAMP SHEET
HIGHLIGHTS [TOWN'S NAME] ROLE IN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

[INSERT NAME OF YOUR CITY, STATE] - [NAME OF TOWN'S] linkage to the Civil Rights Movement was immortalized on postage during a special ceremony today when the [NAME OF] Post OfficeTM dedicated the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative postage stamp sheet. As one of 10 stamps depicted on the sheet, the [TITLE OF] stamp commemorates [NAME OF TOWN'S] role in [DESCRIBE CIVIL RIGHTS EVENT].

Taking their title from the Constitution of the United States, the To Form A More Perfect Union stamps recognize the courage and achievements of the men and women who, during the years of the Civil Rights Movement, struggled to bring the vision of our founding fathers closer to reality.

Joining Postmaster [NAME] in dedicating the stamp sheet was [INSERT ORGANIZATION/SPECIAL GUEST].

These new stamps are part of the Postal Service'sTM 2005 stamp program, a program that celebrates the people, events and history of our nation. The stamps trace the history of our nation's Civil Rights Movement through vivid illustrations of key events, people and decisions that changed the course of this nation.

Ten important milestones of the Civil Rights Movement are depicted on the stamps: Executive Order 9981 - the executive order President Harry S. Truman put in place to end segregation in the military; Brown v. Board of Education; Montgomery Bus Boycott; Little Rock Nine; Lunch Counter Sit- Ins; Freedom Riders; March on Washington; Civil Rights Act of 1964; Selma March and Voting Rights Act of 1965.

These stamps reflect a journey of sacrifice and struggle. They depict more than history; they paint a portrait of a legacy of freedom, and the stamps remind us of who we are as a nation.

Executive Order 9981
On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981 mandating full integration in all branches of the U.S. military. By the time the Korean conflict ended in the following decade, this had largely been achieved. William H. Johnson's Training for War, a silk-screen print made circa 1941, recalls President Harry S. Truman's Executive Order.

Lunch Counter Sit-Ins
When four African-American college students placed an order at a "whites only" lunch counter in Greensboro, NC, in 1960, they sparked acts of civil disobedience in many other cities. The sit-in movement to integrate "whites-only" lunch counters is recalled by an exhibit created for the National Civil Rights Museum by StudioEIS, a design and fabrication firm in New York.

Montgomery Bus Boycott
After Rosa Parks was arrested on Dec. 1, 1955, for refusing to let a white passenger take her seat on a Montgomery, AL, bus, African Americans began a prolonged boycott of the bus company by walking or carpooling for more than a year. On Dec. 21, 1956, black passengers once again rode Montgomery City Lines. The Boycott is represented by a detail from Walking, a 1958 painting by Charles Alston.

Civil Rights Act of 1964
Designed to provide broad protections against discrimination on the basis of race, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Among its other provisions, the law prohibited discrimination in public accommodations such as hotels, restaurants and theaters. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is suggested by Dixie Café, a 1948 brush-and-ink drawing by Jacob Lawrence.

March on Washington
More than 250,000 people marched in Washington, DC, for racial justice in 1963, and Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. March on Washington, painted in 1964 by Alma Thomas, commemorates the great demonstration.

Selma March
In the spring of 1965, demonstrators demanding an end to discrimination gathered in Selma, AL, to march to the state capital 50 miles away. This is represented by Selma March, a 1991 acrylic painting by Bernice Sims.

Brown v. Board of Education
A unanimous ruling of the United States Supreme Court in the case of Brown v. Board of Education (1954) declared that separate educational facilities for black and white children are inherently unequal. The landmark ruling is suggested by Romare Bearden's lithograph, The Lamp (1984).

Freedom Riders
To test a ruling that outlawed segregation of bus stations and terminals serving interstate travelers, biracial groups of men and women volunteered to take bus rides through the South, using the "wrong" facilities at stops. Several Freedom Riders were injured because of mob violence instigated by segregationists, eliciting an outpouring of support and concern. A gouache by May Stevens called Freedom Riders (1963) honors the Freedom Riders.

Little Rock Nine
After the Supreme Court declared segregated schools unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education, many public school systems were slow to adapt to the new legal reality. In 1957, nine courageous students became the first African Americans to attend Central High School in Little Rock, AR, where they endured virulent harassment and received the protection of federal troops. George Hunt's painting, America Cares, (1997) remembers the nine courageous students.

Voting Rights Act of 1965
With leaders of the Civil Rights Movement standing by, President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, strengthening the federal government's ability to prevent state and local governments from denying citizens the right to vote because of their race. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is suggested by Bruce Davidson's photograph, Youths on the Selma March (1965).

Current U.S. stamps, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by calling 800-STAMP-24. A selection of stamps and other philatelic items are also available at the online Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop. In addition, beautifully custom-framed prints of original stamp designs are available at www.postalartgallery.com.

Since 1775, the Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. An independent federal agency, the Postal Service makes deliveries to more than 142 million addresses 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 $69 billion, it is the world's leading provider of mail and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. Moreover, today's postage rates will remain stable until at least 2006. The U.S. Postal Service® delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume - some 206 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages per year - and serves seven million customers each day at its 37,000 retail locations nationwide.

# # #

Participation of Public Officials

The issuance of the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamp offers a perfect opportunity to involve public officials in an important and positive local event. They are likely to have a keen interest in the event, as it provides a chance to interact with constituents in a friendly civic setting with secured media coverage.

It's a good idea to check with your Postal Service Government Relations representative before inviting federal, state, and local officials to your event. Following are simple guidelines, a suggested invitation list, and the names and telephone numbers of your Government Relations contacts.

Before the Event

Coordinate with your Government Relations representative before sending a written invitation to your two U.S. senators, your congressional representatives, or the governor of your state. When making your invitation list, be sure to include the mayor or any other local officials you deem appropriate. The local postmaster should sign the invitations.

Follow up the written invitation with a telephone call to the official's scheduler within a week if you have not received a reply. You may need to call more than once.

Keep in touch with all officials who respond. If asked, provide updated information to the official's staff as it becomes available (e.g., who else is participating, where and when to meet, what his or her role will be, etc.). Stress that remarks should be brief and limited to the dedication of the To Form A More Perfect Union commemorative stamps.

Include the names of all participating officials on the official program as honored guests scheduled to appear, and mention them in all media advisories, if applicable.

Provide a courtesy copy of the program to the officials in advance.

After the Event

Send a written thank you to all public officials who participated in the ceremony, expressing your appreciation.

Provide copies of any newspaper articles about the event to their offices. Even though they likely will see those articles on their own, you can take the opportunity to remind them of the press coverage the event received.

Provide a supply of extra cachets with the special postmark (if applicable) to public officials, even to those who could not attend. These make great giveaways and serve as a positive reminder of the event. As a reminder, pictorial postmarks have not been produced on a national level, but feel free to design and produce your own version.

Obtain and frame a photo of the public official posing beside the stamp image and make an appointment to present it in person, if possible. A matted, well-framed photograph stands a good chance of being hung on the wall of the official's office, again serving as a positive reminder of the event.

Keep in touch with your public officials. Good relationships are built over time.

Please use this sheet to fill in local information significant to your area.

Local Postal Facts

Post Office:

Year Established:

Postmaster:

Annual Mail Volume:

Annual Revenue:

Number of Employees:

Supervisors:

Clerks:

City Letter Carriers:

Rural Letter Carriers:

Mail Handlers:

Maintenance:

Others:

Number of Delivery Routes:

Number of Delivery Stops:

Number of Post Office Boxes:

Amount of Supplies and Services Purchased from Local Businesses:

Suggested Participating Organizations and Contact Information

African-American Political Organizations

African-American History Museums

African-American Greek Organizations

Public Affairs and Communications Field Managers

PAUL SMITH
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
EASTERN AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 40593
PHILADELPHIA PA 19197-0593
215-931-5054

MONICA HAND
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
NY METRO AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
421 EIGHTH AVE RM 5114
NEW YORK NY 10199-9681
212-330-3167

DEBRA HAWKINS
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
NORTHEAST AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
6 GRIFFIN RD N
WINDSOR CT 06006-9876
860-285-7265

EARL ARTIS JR
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
SOUTHEAST AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
225 N HUMPHREY BLVD 5TH FL
MEMPHIS TN 38166-0832
678-442-6018

JIM MRUK
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
GREAT LAKES AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
244 KNOLLWOOD DR 4TH FL
BLOOMINGDALE IL 60117-2208
630-539-6565

DON SMERALDI
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
PACIFIC AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
7001 S CENTRAL AVE RM 364A
LOS ANGELES CA 90052-9641
323-586-1210

DARLA STAFFORD
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
SOUTHWEST AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
7800 N STEMMONS FREEWAY STE 450
DALLAS TX 75247-4220
214-819-8717

SCOTT BUDNY
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
WESTERN AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
1745 STOUT ST STE 1075
DENVER CO 80299-7500
303-313-5130

DEBORAH YACKLEY
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
CAPITAL METRO OPERATIONS
16501 SHADY GROVE
GAITHERSBURG MD 20898-9998
301-548-1465

Note: Contact your local diversity specialist for assistance when planning your special events.

Government Relations Contacts

We can help! Your Government Relations representatives are here to serve you. We can assist you in contacting and inviting officials to participate in your event - please let us know.

Alphabetical State/Representative Listing

Area code and prefix for all extensions is 202-268-XXXX

— Community Relations, Public Affairs and Communications, 7-7-05