December 2005

DISTRICT MANAGERS, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SALES
POSTMASTERS

SUBJECT: Black History Month

We celebrate Black History Month to reflect on the progress, richness, and diversity of African-American achievements. Although February has been designated as the official month to celebrate Black history, every day is an occasion to highlight the monumental contributions and vital role African Americans have played in shaping America's history.

This year, Black History Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the Black Heritage commemorative stamp series and the 2006 honoree, Hattie McDaniel. The first African American to be nominated and win an Oscar, she was honored as best supporting actress for her role as Mammy in Gone With the Wind (1939). Hattie McDaniel will be commemor- ated on a U.S. postage stamp on January 25, 2006.

We encourage you to host special events in your community throughout the month of February, highlighting the achievements of Hattie McDaniel and others honored in the Black Heritage series. Take advantage of Black History Month by inspiring both children and adults to learn more about African-American history through the educational hobby of stamp collecting.

The Hattie McDaniel commemorative stamp will be issued on January 25, 2006, and Black History Month launches nationally on February 1. This publicity kit provides a step-by-step guide to help you plan your local Black History Month and Hattie McDaniel stamp dedication events and activities. The kit includes the following:

• Suggestions to generate publicity.

• Fill-in news releases for Black History Month events.

• A letter to the editor you can send to local newspapers announcing Black History Month/Hattie McDaniel stamp ceremonies/events.

• Sample media advisory, public service announcement, and thank you notes.

• Talking points for a speech to be given during local community events.

• Public Affairs and Communications contacts.

• Government Relations contacts.

Please use this Black History Month Community Relations Publicity Kit to help develop and plan your local events. Be sure to keep your Public Affairs and Communications Field Communications manager informed of your activities. Your support of this year's Black History Month is vital to its success.

Azeezaly S. Jaffer
Vice President
Public Affairs and Communications

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

PUBLICITY KIT

Black History Month/Hattie McDaniel

Publicity Ideas to Interest the Media

February Is Black History Month

There are many ways to interest local media in your Black History Month or local dedication of the Hattie McDaniel stamp. Following are some suggestions to capture media attention.

Note: You can plan Black History Month events in conjunction with Hattie McDaniel local dedication stamp ceremonies. You should emphasize the fact that this is the 29th anniversary of the Black Heritage stamp series this year featuring Hattie McDaniel.

• Have a month-long Black History Month celebration involving employees and their families; school children; and congressional, civic, and community leaders. Involve those people in helping to create a traveling or permanent African-American stamp collection exhibit that could either be placed in Post OfficeTM lobbies or taken to stamp events at libraries, schools, or museums throughout the month of February. Highlight a different theme every week of the month. Some examples of different themes might include sports figures, entertainers, inventors, educators, leaders, and scientists.

- Photo opportunity: Encourage media to cover the opening day of your exhibit. Media can take pictures of employees and community members setting up the exhibit to accompany an article about Black History Month.

- Opening day of the exhibit: Feature unveilings of the Hattie McDaniel commemorative stamp and possibly other stamps in the Black Heritage series. Ask congressional, civic, and community leaders to participate in ceremonies.

• Invite children to design stamps about African- American history, and display their designs in the Post Office. Have local customers select the winners. Winners can be awarded Black Heritage or other commemorative stamp materials.

• Give presentations and workshops to local elementary schools, libraries, reading clubs, and community organizations like the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, the Rotary Club, and the Optimist Club.

• Look for opportunities to partner with local philatelic organizations that may be sponsoring local exhibits or other events. Contact the African-American Film Festival; the Kansas African-American Museum in Wichita; the Gone With the Wind Museum in Atlanta, Georgia; the International Music Association; the NAACP; the Black Congressional Caucus; and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., of which McDaniel was an honorary member. Offer to speak, conduct workshops, or organize volunteers from among your staff to help.

• Help after-school programs set up stamp collecting clubs and share African-American history. Ask a local stamp collector to set up a display of stamp collecting tools and philatelic materials, such as tongs, magnifier, perforation gauge, albums, first-day covers, and so on. Go online to the American Philatelic Society's Web site at www.stamps.org to find local chapters (including African-American stamp clubs) and affiliates that might be willing to help.

Postal ServiceTM employees can find an electronic version of this kit at http://blue.usps.gov. Under "Essential Links," click References, then under "Moving the Mail Tools," click Postmaster Toolkits. Downloading the Microsoft Word version makes it easy to complete the fill-in-the- blank materials.

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

Products and Licensing

• Hattie McDaniel Cultural Diary Page - Item No. 459376, $12.95

The Diary Page features photographs of Hattie McDaniel, biographical information, timeline, quotation, and a reproduction of the Hattie McDaniel stamp. The product packaging includes a pane of 20 stamps and a mount for affixing to the 7 3/8 x 10-inch diary page. The page is designed to fit inside the Expressions of African Americans: A Cultural Diary, but can also be used as a stand-alone product.

• Expressions of African Americans: A Cultural Diary - Item No. 458096, $34.95

A beautifully illustrated 9 1/4 x 11 3/8-inch Cultural Diary includes cultural diary pages honoring Paul Robeson, Wilma Rudolph, James Baldwin, and Kwanzaa. Additionally, the binder has a coordinating journal notepad to record personal thoughts.

• Hattie McDaniel Cancellation Keepsake - Item No. 459393, $8.57

The Cancellation Keepsake includes a pane of 20 Hattie McDaniel stamps and a single first day of issue collectible cover.

Licensing and Use of the Hattie McDaniel Stamp Image

Licensing information is not available at the time of publishing. Contact Patty Morris, Program Manager, Licensing at 202-268-7242, patty.j.morris@usps.gov, or Licensing@ usps.com for further information about licensing and use of the Hattie McDaniel commemorative stamp image.

Pictorial Postmarks

A pictorial postmark has not been produced for the nation. Post Offices planning second-day events - now referred to as "Special Dedication Ceremonies" to provide postmasters scheduling flexibility - may design their own special pictorial postmark. As a reminder, the Postal Service must 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 Services 3 weeks prior to local events. Please use PS Form 413, Pictorial Postmark Announcement/Report, on the following page to report your use of a postmark. For more information regarding pictorial postmarks, see Handbook PO-230, Pictorial Cancellations.

Stamp Artwork

To purchase artwork of the Hattie McDaniel commemorative stamp or other stamps in the Black Heritage commemorative stamp series, including poster-sized enlargements, color transparencies, and color prints, contact:

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

Telephone: 301-656-0025 x212
Fax: 301-656-0435
E-mail: victor@dodgecolor.com

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

Suggested Participating Organizations and Contact Information

Below is a suggested list of supporters for Hattie McDaniel commemorative stamp dedications:

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) National Headquarters

PAULA EDME
CHIEF OF NATIONAL FIELD OPERATIONS
4805 MT HOPE DR
BALTIMORE MD 21215

Telephone: 410-580-5110, 877-NAACP-98
Fax: 410-358-1607

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Regional Offices

Region I

Japan and Korea; Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington

FRANK BERRY REGIONAL DIRECTOR
LAINI COFFEE YOUTH AND COLLEGE DIRECTOR
4929 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 360
LOS ANGELES CA 90010-3817

Telephone: 323-931-6331
Fax: 323-931-9036
E-mail: flberry@aol.com

Region II

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont

HILDA RODGERS REGIONAL DIRECTOR
DIALLO SHABAZZ YOUTH AND COLLEGE DIRECTOR
BEVERLY WHEELER SENIOR SECRETARY
MILDRED ROXBOROUGH CONSULTANT
39 BROADWAY STE 2201 22ND FL
NEW YORK NY 10060-3060

Telephone: 212-344-7474
Fax: 212-344-1212
E-mail: hrodgers@naacpnet.org

Region III

Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Wisconsin

SHIRLEY P MILES REGIONAL DIRECTOR
REV JULIUS HOPE DIRECTOR RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS
ERNEST COVERSON YOUTH AND COLLEGE DIRECTOR
JOYCE WILEY SENIOR SECRETARY
17 FORD AVE
HIGHLAND PARK MI 48203-3620

Telephone: 313-869-3717
Fax: 313-869-3763
E-mail: milesregion3@aol.com

Region IV

Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming

REV GILL FORD DIRECTOR
SHALIA LINDSEY YOUTH AND COLLEGE DIRECTOR
4477 WOODSON RD STE 201
ST LOUIS MO 63134-3700

Telephone: 314-428-9900
Fax: 314-428-9904
E-mail: fordrevg@aol.com

Region V

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee

REV CHARLES WHITE REGIONAL DIRECTOR
YVONNE FINNEY OFFICE MANAGER
ALETHEA BONELLO YOUTH AND COLLEGE DIRECTOR
970 MARTIN LUTHER KING DR STE 203
ATLANTA GA 30314-2962

Telephone: 404-688-8868
Fax: 404-524-3633
E-mail: whitejrcharles@aol.com

Region VI

Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

GEORGIA NOONE REGIONAL DIRECTOR
CATHY LANG SENIOR SECRETARY
KHAMAL LAKEY YOUTH AND COLLEGE DIRECTOR
3003 SOUTH LOOP W STE 500
HOUSTON TX 77054-1376

Telephone: 713-662-2727
Fax: 713-661-5982
E-mail: gnoone@naacpnet.org

Region VII

District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia

BROOKE MCCAULEY REGIONAL DIRECTOR
KIMBERLY BILLS YOUTH AND COLLEGE DIRECTOR
4701 MOUNT HOPE DR STE B
BALTIMORE MD 21215-3246

Telephone: 410-580-2806
E-mail: bmccauley@naacpnet.org

**************************************************************** You may also contact your local public libraries, music and arts schools, and African-American bookstores for participation in the events. ****************************************************************

Other Suggestions

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
1100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW
WASHINGTON DC 20506-0001

Telephone: 202-682-5570

CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS
PAUL BRATHWAITE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POLICY
2235 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20515-0001

Telephone: 202-226-9776
Fax: 202-225-3178
E-mail: p.brathwaite@mail.house.gov, trudy.perkins@mail. house.gov

SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY INC
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
DR MYNORA J BRYANT
INTERNATIONAL GRAND BASILEUS
1000 SOUTHHILL DRIVE STE 200
CARY NC 27513-8630

Telephone: 888-SGR-1922, 919-678-9720
Fax: 919-678-9721
Web site: www.sgrho1922.org

Black Heritage Series Facts

Harriet Tubman (February 1, 1978)

Born a slave, abolitionist Tubman was the first African-American woman to be honored on a U.S. stamp, and the first honoree in the Black Heritage series. Tubman was the conductor for the famed Underground Railroad by which many slaves escaped to freedom in the years leading to the Civil War.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
(January 13, 1979)

King is considered one of the most powerful and popular leaders of the African-American Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. He spearheaded a massive Civil Rights movement through marches, sit-ins, boycotts, and demonstrations that profoundly and positively affected America's attitudes toward race relations. He was presented the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Benjamin Banneker
(February 15, 1980)

In 1753, Banneker constructed the first wooden striking clock made in America. At age 60, he was chosen by George Washington to help lay out blueprints for the Capitol in Washington, DC.

Whitney Moore Young, Jr.
(January 30, 1981)

Young served for 10 years as the executive director of the National Urban League. In 1969, he received the nation's highest civilian honor - the Medal of Freedom.

Jackie Robinson (August 2, 1982)

Robinson broke the Major League Baseball color barrier in 1947. After

retirement from baseball in 1956, he remained active in civil rights and youth activities. In 1962, he became the first African American inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Scott Joplin (June 9, 1983)

A composer and pianist, Joplin was the "King of Ragtime," fighting for recognition of ragtime as a significant genre in modern music. Some 50 years after his death, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his ragtime opera Treemonisha.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson
(February 1, 1984)

A prominent historian and the son of former slaves from Virginia, Woodson is credited with starting the observance of Negro History Week in 1926.

Mary McLeod Bethune
(March 5, 1985)

A noted educator and social activist, Bethune was an advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She founded the National Council of Negro Women in 1935.

Sojourner Truth
(February 4, 1986)

Born into slavery, Isabella Baum Free went to live in New York City after acquiring freedom. In 1843, she changed her name to Sojourner Truth and began traveling and lecturing on women's rights and the evils of slavery. She was considered one of the greatest orators of her time.

Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable
(February 20, 1987)

A pioneer and entrepreneur, DuSable was the first settler in the community that was known as the cornerstone of America's heartland - Chicago. In 1779, starting from scratch, DuSable built the first permanent house on the north bank of the Chicago river, where the present-day Tribune Tower stands. The stamp was issued during the city's sesquicentennial.

James Weldon Johnson
(February 2, 1988)

Johnson was noted as a lawyer, educator, and writer. His composition "Lift Every Voice and Sing" is sung today as the Black National Anthem.

A. Philip Randolph
(February 3, 1989)

An eloquent spokesperson for civil rights and minority labor, Randolph organized the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. After 10 years of fierce struggle, he achieved the first union contract signed by a white employer and an African-American leader.

Ida B. Wells (February 1, 1990)

Wells devoted her life to educating people about the horrors of discrimination and lynching. In 1895, she published A Red Record, the first documented statistical report on lynching.

Jan E. Matzeliger
(September 15, 1991)

Matzeliger's invention, the shoe- lacing machine, patented in 1883, revolutionized the shoemaking industry and made mass-produced shoes a reality in America.

W.E.B. Du Bois
(January 31, 1992)

Critic, editor, scholar, author, Civil Rights leader, and one of the most influential African Americans of the 20th century, Du Bois was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909.

Percy Lavon Julian
(January 29, 1993)

Julian won fame for his work as a research chemist. He synthesized cortisone as a treatment for arthritis, a drug for treatment of glaucoma, and progesterone. In 1990, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Dr. Allison Davis
(February 1, 1994)

A psychologist and educator, Davis served on the President's Commission on Civil Rights and was vice chairman of the Department of Labor's Commission Manpower Retraining during the Johnson and Nixon Administrations. In 1967, he was designated a Fellow of the Academy of Arts and Sciences and of the National Academy of Education.

Bessie Coleman (April 27, 1995)

On June 15, 1921, Coleman was the first woman to earn an international aviation license issued by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Paris, and she was the world's first licensed African-American aviator.

Ernest E. Just (February 1, 1996)

Known primarily for his research in marine biology, Just pioneered experiments in the process of the fertilization of marine invertebrates. He also studied the fundamental role of the cell surface in the development of organisms. Throughout the 1930s, Just conducted research in institutes and marine laboratories in Germany, France, and Italy.

Benjamin O. Davis, Sr.
(January 28, 1997)

Davis distinguished himself in a long military career that saw him become the nation's first African- American Brigadier General, in 1940. He was a driving force in the eventual integration of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Madam C. J. Walker
(January 28, 1998)

Walker was an early 20th century beauty product pioneer and one of the nation's first female millionaires. An early advocate of women's economic independence and empowerment, her hair products manufacturing company employed thousands of women as sales agents and beauty consultants.

Malcolm X (El-Hajj Malik El- Shabazz) (January 20, 1999)

In the late 1950s, Malcolm X emerged as a major spokesperson for African Americans. He was both a brilliant scholar and a fiery orator whose persuasive and passionate views helped define the debate on race relations.

Patricia Roberts Harris
(January 27, 2000)

An extraordinary leader, committed public servant, and champion of civil rights, Harris dedicated her life to improving the quality of life for all Americans. She was the first African-American woman to hold a U.S. ambassadorship when she was named in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson to the embassy in Luxembourg. She was also the first African-American woman to hold a U.S. cabinet position when President Jimmy Carter named her Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and the first to hold two cabinet positions when she became Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.

Roy Wilkins (January 24, 2001)

Wilkins advocated tirelessly for racial equality. In 1931, Wilkins joined the NAACP and led the organization from 1955 to 1977 as executive secretary and executive director. Under his leadership, the NAACP campaigned for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968.

Langston Hughes
(February 1, 2002)

Hughes is acclaimed for his vivid portrayals of Black America from the Harlem Renaissance to the Civil Rights era. A noted poet, novelist, and playwright, he is regarded as one of the most important writers of the 20th century.

Thurgood Marshall
(January 7, 2003)

Marshall is one of the best-known lawyers in the history of civil rights in America. In 1954, Marshall and his legal team prevailed in the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, which struck down segregation in public schools. He was the first African American to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

Paul Robeson (January 20, 2004)

Robeson is remembered not only for his extraordinary talents as an actor, singer, and athlete but also for his tireless and uncompromising commitment to civil rights and social justice. In addition to his famous repertoire of spirituals, Robeson became well known for performing and interpreting folk songs from around the world.

Marian Anderson
(January 27, 2005)

Marian Anderson is known as one of the nation's greatest classically trained singers of the 20th century and is an important figure in the struggle of Black Americans for racial equality.

Hattie McDaniel
(January 25, 2006)

Hattie McDaniel entertained America as a movie actress, singer, and radio and television performer. In her role in the 1939 film Gone With the Wind, she became the first African-American to win an Academy Award.

Speech Segment and Talking Points

Use talking points for speeches at local ceremonies and events to support Black History Month and the Hattie McDaniel stamp.

[Recognize participants from other organizations.]

America's greatest strength is the diversity of its people. February is Black History Month, and this is the perfect time to stop and reflect upon the rich cultural legacy African Americans have contributed to our nation.

In reality, every month is a celebration of the many African Americans who were instrumental in shaping America's history, arts, music, and literature. That is why the Postal ServiceTM is so proud to help celebrate Black History Month with the release of the newest stamp in our Black Heritage series.

This year, the 29th year in this historic series, we are issuing the Hattie McDaniel commemorative stamp. McDaniel joins 28 other honorees as a part of this series saluting outstanding African-American activists, theorists, writers, educators, and leaders.

Hattie McDaniel is credited with appearing in more than 90 films, but she is believed to have appeared in as many as 300, including unaccredited roles as extras, maids, and chorus singers. While McDaniel was often criticized for playing maids and other stereotypical roles, she actually worked behind the scenes to battle racism and discrimination. She is remembered for saying, "I'd rather play a maid than be one," and she is often credited with subverting any idea of subservience through her interpretative performances. McDaniel played the title role in The Beulah Show, which was broadcast on national radio and was the first radio show to feature a black star. Many remember her for her jovial personality, her outspoken and spunky nature, and that unmistakable laugh.

The first-day-of-issue ceremony for the Hattie McDaniel stamp was held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Library in Beverly Hills, California.

Other notable Americans honored in the Black Heritage stamp series include Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson, Carter G. Woodson, Mary McLeod Bethune, Bessie Coleman, Ernest E. Just, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., Madam C. J. Walker, Malcolm X, Patricia Roberts Harris, Roy Wilkins, Langston Hughes, Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, and last year's honoree, Marian Anderson.

African Americans have played a vital role in the shaping of America's history and culture, and the U.S. Postal Service® remains committed to sharing their achievements and contributions. Given the popularity and historic importance of the Black Heritage stamps, there are no plans to discontinue the series. It will continue to be an important part of our stamp program every year.

We encourage everyone - children and adults alike - to learn more about Black history and African Americans on stamps. There are phenomenal stories behind every commemorative stamp - stories that can take us back in time to learn about great Americans and to help us relive moments in the past - moments that we cherish.

For more than 200 years, the Postal Service has been a shining example of a public service institution that the American people can rely on and trust. But in many ways, it's our commemorative stamp program that best connects the Postal Service with the American people.

This month, we hope children and adults of all ages will be participating in Black History Month activities around the country.

Other stamps commemorating Black Americans that will be issued in 2006 include six-time World Boxing Champion Sugar Ray Robinson; Baseball Hall-of-Famer Roy Campanella, who caught for the Brooklyn Dodgers; and distinguished American diplomat Clifton R. Wharton, Sr., America's first Black foreign service officer. And later in the year, we will showcase the beautiful works of the African- American quilt makers from Gee's Bend, Alabama, by immortalizing 10 of their beautiful works on stamps.

Thanks to all of you for joining us here today.

# # #

Suggested Public Relations Timeline

If you have questions or need assistance with any of these items, contact the Public Affairs and Communications representative serving your area (see list).

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

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR RADIO

Community Invited to Join in Celebration of Black History Month and Dedication of
Hattie McDaniel U.S. Postage Stamp

Join the Postal Service'sTM celebration of Black History Month and the unveiling of the 2006 Black Heritage commemorative stamp featuring Hattie McDaniel, on [INSERT DAY AND DATE] from [INSERT TIME] to [INSERT TIME] in [INSERT CITY]. [INSERT NAME], postmaster, invites everyone to participate.

In 1940, McDaniel won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Mammy in the 1939 film Gone With the Wind. She was the first African American to win an Academy Award.

During the celebration, children and adults will learn more about Black history and African Americans on stamps. Activities include [DESCRIBE ACTIVITIES].

Come take a moment to commemorate African-American history with stamps. It's an educational way to learn about the historic people, places, and events honored on U.S. postage stamps each year.

# # #

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

SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION IN [INSERT CITY]
FEATURES AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY ON STAMPS

Featured on New Postage Stamp

[INSERT YOUR CITY, STATE] - As part of Black History Month, the U.S. Postal Service® and [INSERT NAME OF GROUP OR ORGANIZATION(S)] will join together to pay homage to Hattie McDaniel, the 2006 honoree in the U.S. Postal Service's Black Heritage commemorative stamp series. [CHANGE TO REFLECT WHO YOUR PARTICIPANTS ARE]

[ADD A PARAGRAPH ABOUT YOUR PARTICIPANTS HERE]

Hattie McDaniel, movie actress, singer, radio and television performer, and first African American to win an Academy Award, became the 29th American honored in the long-running Black Heritage commemorative stamp series. The achievements of actress and performer Hattie McDaniel [WILL BE/WAS] commemorated on a postage stamp issued on January 25, 2006.

"McDaniel is best known for her role as Mammy in the award winning 1939 film Gone With the Wind. The Postal ServiceTM honors McDaniel for her exceptional talent, extraordinary achievement and her courage," said [NAME AND TITLE] of the U.S. Postal Service.

The celebration took place today at the [INSERT NAME OF POST OFFICE, LIBRARY, SCHOOL, MUSEUM, ETC. WHERE EVENT IS HELD].

[INSERT QUOTE FROM USPS UNVEILING OFFICIAL]

[INSERT QUOTE FROM ORGANIZATION OFFICIAL YOU ARE WORKING WITH]

[FEEL FREE TO USE THE FOLLOWING BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND CUSTOMIZE FOR INSERTION INTO YOUR RELEASE] McDaniel joins 28 other honorees in the Postal Service's Black Heritage commemorative stamp series, which salutes outstanding African-American activists, theorists, writers, educators and leaders. Other notable Americans in the series include Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.; prominent historian and son of a former slave, Dr. Carter G. Woodson; writer and composer Scott Joplin; Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; and classically trained performance artist Marian Anderson.

McDaniel was born June 10, 1895, in Wichita, KS, and raised in Denver, CO. Showing signs of her talent at an early age, she dropped out of school as a teenager to tour with vaudeville companies, traveling musical ensembles, and minstrel shows, including one run by her father. She sang on Denver radio as early as 1925, and she wrote and recorded several of her own songs.

McDaniel arrived in Hollywood in 1931 and soon began to appear in films. She is usually credited with appearing in more than 90 films, but is believed to have appeared in as many as 300, including uncredited roles as extras, maids, and chorus singers. She sang a duet with Will Rogers in Judge Priest (1934), a film directed by John Ford, and she often appeared alongside many of the brightest stars of the era, such as Clark Gable and Jean Harlow in Saratoga (1937) and Katharine Hepburn in Alice Adams (1935), which featured a comic performance by McDaniel. Some of her other notable films included Show Boat (1936), In This Our Life (1942), which was praised for the depth and humanity of its Black characters, and Since You Went Away (1944).

In 1940, McDaniel won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Mammy in the 1939 film Gone With the Wind. She was the first African American to win an Academy Award.

Although McDaniel was often heavily criticized for playing maids and other stereotypical roles, she worked behind the scenes to battle racism and discrimination. McDaniel is remembered for saying, "I'd rather play a maid than be one," and she is often credited with imbuing many of her performances with subversive elements. Encountering racism in Hollywood, she and several other Black actors worked to change the film industry from within during the 1940's.

From 1947 until 1952, McDaniel played the title role in The Beulah Show, which was broadcast on national radio. As the first radio show to feature a Black star, The Beulah Show was praised by the NAACP and the National Urban League. Although McDaniel again played a maid, she insisted that her character not speak in dialect, and she successfully negotiated the right to alter scripts that did not meet her approval. Shortly before her death, McDaniel was preparing to replace another actress in the television version of The Beulah Show.

McDaniel died of breast cancer at the age of 57 on October 26, 1952.

# # #

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

SAMPLE MEDIA ADVISORY

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION IN [INSERT CITY]
HIGHLIGHTS ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS ON STAMPS

EVENT: The U.S. Postal Service® teams up with the [NAME OF GROUP OR ORGANIZATION] for Black History Month celebration and the unveiling of the Hattie McDaniel commemorative stamp, the 29th in the Black Heritage stamp series. [CHANGE OR ADD TO THIS INFO IF YOUR EVENT IS DIFFERENT, BUT KEEP IT SHORT]

WHO: [LIST ONLY DIGNITARIES, KEY POSTAL OFFICIALS, AND ANY WELL- KNOWN SPECIAL GUESTS PARTICIPATING AND/OR ATTENDING EVENT]

WHAT: [Describe what makes event newsworthy - list any entertainment, refreshments, sales, etc.]

WHEN: [Insert hour, day, date]

WHERE: [Insert exact location of event]

BACKGROUND: This commemorative stamp highlights the achievements of actress, singer and radio and television performer Hattie McDaniel. McDaniel became the first African American to win an Academy Award for her role in the 1939 film Gone With the Wind.

CONTACT: [LIST AREA PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS REPRESENTATIVE OR POSTMASTER'S NAME AND PHONE NUMBER]

# # #

SAMPLE LETTER TO LOCAL NEWSPAPER EDITOR THANKING RESIDENTS FOR SUPPORT

[INSERT DATE]

[INSERT NAME]
[INSERT TITLE]
[INSERT NAME OF PUBLICATION]
[INSERT ADDRESS]
[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Dear [INSERT TITLE AND NAME]:

I want to thank the citizens of [INSERT CITY NAME] for their enthusiasm and support in making yesterday's Black History Month celebration such a successful event for our community and for the U.S. Postal Service®.

African Americans have played a vital role in the shaping of America's history. The U.S. Postal Service continues its commitment to honoring the historical achievements and contributions of noted African- American leaders, inventors, educators, scientists, entrepreneurs, entertainers and sports figures. The Black Heritage commemorative stamp series, along with other stamps, pay tribute to these individuals.

Our nation's stamp program has been developed through the participation of the American people. Their stamp ideas and suggestions are instrumental in helping the Postal ServiceTM honor some of the greatest achievements and achievers who have made our country great.

Again, thanks to everyone in our community who participated in our Black History Month celebration. We hope everyone enjoyed celebrating African-American history with stamps.

Sincerely,

[SIGN]

[INSERT POSTMASTER'S NAME]
Postmaster
U.S. Postal Service
[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Participation of Public Officials

Black History Month events are a perfect opportunity to involve elected public officials in an important and positive local event. They are likely to have a keen interest in the event, as it provides elected representatives a chance to interact with constituents in a friendly, civic setting with secured media coverage.

You are encouraged to reach out directly to your federal, state, and local elected officials. Government Relations representatives are available to assist you in coordinating political involvement and would be pleased to help in any way. Please contact them for guidance.

This publicity kit contains simple guidelines, sample letters, a suggested invitation list, and the names and telephone numbers of your Government Relations contacts.

Before the Event

• Send a written invitation 4 to 6 weeks before the event to your two U.S. senators, your congressional representatives, the governor of your state, and the mayor of your community. Please include any other local elected officials you feel would be appropriate. The local postmaster should sign the invitations.

• Follow up the written invitation with a telephone call to the elected 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 elected officials who respond. If asked, provide updated information to the elected 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 unveiling of the Hattie McDaniel commemorative stamp and McDaniel's achievements, Black Heritage stamps, and the recognition of the role the U.S. Postal Service® continuously plays in celebrating African-American history with stamps.

• Include names of all participating elected officials on the "official program" as honored guests, and mention them in all media advisories, if applicable.

• Provide a courtesy copy of the program to the elected official in advance.

After the Event

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

• Provide copies to their offices of any newspaper articles about the event. Even though they might 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 cacheted envelopes with the special cancellation, if applicable, to elected officials, even to those who could not attend. These make great giveaways and serve as a positive reminder of the event.

• Obtain and frame a photo of the elected 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 elected officials. Good relationships are built over time.

SAMPLE INVITATION TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS

[INSERT DATE]

[INSERT NAME]
[INSERT TITLE]
[INSERT ORGANIZATION]
[INSERT ADDRESS]
[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Dear [INSERT TITLE AND NAME]:

Employees of the [INSERT NAME] Post OfficeTM invite you to be an honored guest at a special ceremony celebrating Black History Month on [DATE] at [TIME]. During our ceremony, the U.S. Postal Service® will dedicate the Hattie McDaniel [AND/OR Black Heritage series] commemorative stamp [OR stamps IF DEDICATING ENTIRE SERIES].

The Postal ServiceTM values its role as a community leader, and we believe that our stamp program gives us an opportunity to connect with customers in a very personal and informative way. During our ceremony, children and adults alike will have an opportunity to learn about the achievements and contributions of African-American leaders, inventors, educators, scientists, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and sports figures.

At the stamp ceremony, you will be invited to say a few words about the Hattie McDaniel commemorative stamp [AND/OR Black Heritage series] and any comments you may have about African-American history. We expect significant press coverage of the ceremony and a good size crowd, including families, schools, and civic organizations.

We hope you will join us for our stamp dedication and special Black History Month celebration. Please confirm your participation by calling [NAME OF CONTACT] at [TELEPHONE NUMBER] as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

[SIGN]

[INSERT POSTMASTER'S NAME]
Postmaster
U.S. Postal Service
[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

SAMPLE THANK YOU LETTER TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS/PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

[INSERT DATE]

[INSERT NAME]
[INSERT TITLE]
[INSERT ORGANIZATION]
[INSERT ADDRESS]
[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Dear [INSERT TITLE AND NAME]:

On behalf of the U.S. Postal Service®, I want to thank you for joining us during our special ceremony celebrating Black History Month and the dedication of the Hattie McDaniel [AND/OR Black Heritage series] commemorative postage stamp. It was a wonderful event for [INSERT NAME OF COMMUNITY], and your participation helped make it a success.

All of us in the Postal ServiceTM are extremely proud of the role our organization has played as a community leader and in commemorating many of the people, places, and events that have made our country great. The stamp dedication ceremony was a wonderful way for us to share African-American history on stamps with our friends, neighbors, children, and customers here in [INSERT NAME OF COMMUNITY]. I am enclosing 10 copies of our special cancellation [IF APPLICABLE] for you to share with your constituents, as well as copies of press clippings and photographs that recorded the event [IF APPLICABLE].

I look forward to working with you on future community events. If I can be of assistance with any postal matter, please contact me at [TELEPHONE NUMBER].

Sincerely,

[SIGN]

[INSERT POSTMASTER'S NAME]
Postmaster
U.S. Postal Service
[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Public Affairs and Communications Field Managers

Government Relations Contacts

Your Government Relations representatives are here to serve you. They can assist you in contacting and inviting elected officials to participate in your event - please let them know.

Alphabetical State/Representative Listing
Area code and prefix for all extensions is 202-268-XXXX

— Community Relations, Public Affairs and Communications, 12-22-05