PUBLICITY KIT

Benjamin Franklin Commemorative Stamps

March 2006

DISTRICT MANAGERS, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SALES
POSTMASTERS

SUBJECT: Benjamin Franklin Commemorative Postage Stamps Kit

The Postal ServiceTM provides an opportunity to honor Benjamin Franklin, an American icon, during the 300th anniversary year of his birth by issuing four commemorative postage stamps. Each stamp features a collage representing one of four aspects of Franklin's life - as a printer, a postmaster, a scientist, and a statesman.

Benjamin Franklin holds the unique distinction of being the second most popular subject to be commemorated on a postage stamp, with more than 100 stamp issuances in his honor since 1847. His connection to the Postal Service as the first postmaster general under the Continental Congress in 1775 has earned him a cherished place in the history of our organization.

These 2006 stamps have educational, historical, and scientific value and represent the heritage of the United States and the Postal Service. The stamps will be dedicated on April 7 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the National Constitution Center.

During this year-long anniversary celebration, we encourage you to host special events in your community highlighting one or all of the four aspects of Franklin's career depicted on the stamps.

The enclosed publicity kit serves as a guide to help you plan your local Benjamin Franklin commemorative postage stamp dedication events and activities. Partnering with the organizations listed in this kit will help you generate publicity. In fact, it's likely that these organizations will offer suggestions, provide recommendations for hosting facilities, and allow you to partner with an established event they are hosting. In addition, Postal Facts are included at the end of this kit as valuable information for the media. Our Public Affairs and Communications team members are available to assist you in coordinating publicity efforts. Please feel free to call on them.

Thank you for your support and for taking advantage of this exciting opportunity to celebrate our first postmaster general. Your participation in this year's dedication events of the Benjamin Franklin commemorative postage stamps is vital to their success.

Azeezaly S. Jaffer
Vice President
Public Affairs and Communications

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

Overview

The Benjamin Franklin commemorative postage stamps will be issued April 7 at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA. This stamp release follows the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth on January 17. This is a year-long celebration and you will have many opportunities to hold a dedication or "second day" event. The Benjamin Franklin commemorative postage stamps will go on sale nationwide April 8, 2006.

Background

Benjamin Franklin, Scientist

The stamp image honoring Franklin as a scientist includes a whimsical 19th-century Currier and Ives lithograph depicting Franklin and his son performing the legendary electricity experiment with a kite; a page from Franklin's 1769 volume Experiments and Observations on Electricity, depicting water spouts and a "magic square;" a schematic drawing of Franklin's "three-wheeled clock" from the late 18th-century book Select Mechanical Exercises by James Ferguson; and a depiction of Franklin at a writing desk from a mural by Charles Elliott Mills at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston, MA. The text on the back of the stamp sheet reads:

Remembered for the pursuits he called "philosophical amusements," Benjamin Franklin was intensely curious about natural phenomena. His observations and experiments in areas such as electricity and meteorology resulted in interesting inventions, including a heating stove, the lightning rod and an early electrical battery.

Benjamin Franklin, Printer

The image of the stamp honoring Franklin as a printer includes a portrait of him in a printer's smock by illustrator Michael Dooling; a copy of the Pennsylvania Gazette dated Sept. 25 through Oct. 2, 1729; the front of the 1733 edition of Poor Richard's Almanack; and a 5-pound currency note printed by Franklin in 1760. The text on the back of the stamp sheet reads:

From his childhood apprenticeship in Boston to his career in Philadelphia as an adult, Benjamin Franklin enjoyed a lifelong association with printing. In addition to the Pennsylvania Gazette and Poor Richard's Almanack, his presses also printed a wide range of materials, such as government pamphlets, religious tracts, currency and books.

B. Free Franklin, Postmaster

The Continental Congress appointed Franklin as the first Postmaster General of the organization known today as the United States Postal Service. The stamp honoring Franklin as a postmaster includes a graphic device used by the Boston Post-Boy newspaper during the middle 18th century; a colonial postal cover from Marlboro, MD, on a 1775 letter to Philadelphia; a colonial-era date postmark; and a late 18th-century painting of Franklin by Charles Wilson Peale after a portrait by David Martin. The text on the back of the stamp sheet reads:

Benjamin Franklin was vital to the organization of the American postal system, serving as postmaster of Philadelphia and a deputy postmaster for the American colonies before being appointed postmaster general by the Continental Congress in 1775. He marked postage-free letters with his unique personal signature: "B. Free Franklin." Text across the bottom of the stamp reads "B. Free Franklin, Postmaster," a reference to Franklin's personal franking signature.

Benjamin Franklin, Statesman

The stamp honoring Franklin as a statesman includes a detail from John Trumbull's famous painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, painted between 1786 and 1819; a copy of Franklin's 1754 "Join or Die" political cartoon urging colonial unity; the top of a printed copy of the Declaration of Independence; a pastel portrait of Franklin by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis, painted during the 1780s; and the French side of the 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France, which was negotiated and signed by Franklin. The text on the back of the stamp sheet reads:

Deeply involved in politics and civic life, Benjamin Franklin served in the Continental Congress and signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Often considered America's first diplomat, Franklin negotiated an alliance with France and helped to secure a peace treaty with Great Britain.

Publicity Ideas to Interest the Media

Keep in mind that these stamps have significant national, historic, and political importance. Senators and congressional representatives, as well as local elected officials, will be interested in this stamp and the events surrounding it. It is a good idea to contact your Postal Service Government Relations representative for guidance in involving elected officials when planning your event.

Your district Public Affairs and Communications representatives are also available and ready to assist you in coordinating publicity for your events.

There are many ways to interest local media in the Benjamin Franklin commemorative postage stamps by planning local events; partnering with local historic and science museums and organizations; and contacting your local television meteorologists, Benjamin Franklin grade schools, newspaper organizations, and colleges or universities. Following are some suggestions to capture media attention.

• Form an alliance with your local television meteorologist.

• Ask the local television meteorologist to conduct a live broadcast from your local Post OfficeTM, or other event location, when the Benjamin Franklin commemorative postage stamps go on sale or during the weather segment on television. Franklin's impact upon meteorological studies was profound. Provide these talking points to your television meteorologist or weather reporter when showing the Benjamin Franklin stamps. Provide them with the background of the Benjamin Franklin, Scientist stamp (see below).

Talking Points to Provide to Your Television Meteorologist

"Some are weather-wise, some are otherwise." - Benjamin Franklin

• One can find Franklin's first recorded weather forecasts in the 1735, Poor Richard's Almanak, illustrated in the Benjamin Franklin, Printer stamp. In this publication Ben Franklin wrote: "Some are weather- wise, some are otherwise."

• Intellectually curious, Benjamin Franklin was one of the greatest scientists of his day. He was intensely curious about natural phenomena such as electricity, meteorology, magnetism, and the Gulf Stream.

• Franklin's observations and experiments resulted in the progression of atmospheric science.

• As an avid publisher, Franklin kept records of his observations. He observed the weather systems in North America and concluded that storms moved from west to east. This notion of storms traveling eventually led to Franklin's synoptic charts of dynamic meteorology, which ultimately replaced the use of climatology charts.

• Franklin studied oceanography by gathering information from Atlantic Ocean sailors and also kept records of his own travels. In 1768, he published the first map of the Gulf Stream current.

• His investigations into electricity - including his famous kite experiment - formed the basis for numerous discoveries by succeeding generations of scientists.

• His observations and experiments resulted in interesting inventions, including a heating stove, the lightning rod, and an early electrical battery.

• Other aspects that fascinated Franklin were natural events such as volcano eruptions and tornados. Today, many refer to him as the first theorist of volcano-climate interactions.

Partnering With Local Schools

Form an alliance with the hundreds of Benjamin Franklin schools right in your community. Do any of the schools in your area bear Benjamin Franklin's name? If so, this would be an opportune time to honor the school by having a stamp ceremony. They may already have events planned to celebrate the school's namesake. Below is a chart, by state, of many schools named after Benjamin Franklin. However, this list is not final, so do not hesitate to do a search in your area!

Partnering With Local Newspapers

Form an alliance with your local newspaper. Use the following suggestions to generate media exposure.

• Benjamin Franklin's first career was as a printer and newspaper publisher. Provide the editor with the appropriate background (Found in the press release on page 12) and ask that the paper feature an article about the Benjamin Franklin commemorative postage stamps.

• Hold a second-day dedication ceremony at your local newspaper featuring the Benjamin Franklin commemorative postage stamps, specifically emphasizing the Benjamin Franklin, Printer stamp.

• If your area only has a large metropolitan newspaper, share the idea with your neighborhood section's editors.

• Your community newspaper may be a member of the National Newspaper Association (NNA) and participate in the Benjamin Franklin Community Newspaper and Postal Partnership Award of Excellence Program. The NNA and the Postal Service have partnered to choose postal employees that have made significant contributions to community newspapers. Newspapers that are members of the NNA nominate postal employees based on their efforts.

• A postal employee in your area or state may have been nominated or may be the state or national winner! This would be an opportune time to get your community involved and hold a special dedication ceremony with the nominee during a Benjamin Franklin stamp ceremony for the namesake of the award.

• On the next page is a list, categorized by region, of NNA representatives you can contact to find out if your community newspaper is a member.

Partnering With Local Colleges and Universities

Contact local colleges and universities with science, English, philosophy, engineering or government departments to promote the stamps. Franklin aided in establishing institutions of higher education such as the University of Pennsylvania and Franklin and Marshall College. His contribution to the arts and sciences is vast!

• Science and Technology - Franklin's career as a scientist involved discovery and experimentation with electricity. He created many inventions such as the Franklin stove, medical catheter, lightning rod, glass harmonica, and bifocals. Franklin was also an avid publisher of meteorology and astrology. His contibutions to the sciences continues to be incorporated in educational curriculums.

• History and Government - Franklin is remembered as a great leader and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was deeply involved in politics and civic life and served in the Continental Congress and signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Often considered America's first diplomat, Franklin negotiated an alliance with France and helped to secure a peace treaty with Great Britain.

• Philosophy - Franklin dedicated himself to the improvement of everyday life and belonged to a group that engaged in business, morality, politics, and philosophy. He created lists called "13 Virtues" and the "A to Z Words of Wisdom" (see next page). He also created the American Philosophical Society, which promotes scientific and intellectual dialogue and, to this day, is one of the nation's premiere scholarly associations. It is known for it's avocation of knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications, library resources, and community outreach. This association offers prizes, fellowships, and grants to scholars.

Visit http://members.amphilsoc.org/searchPublic.php to find a local winner and college near you.

• Printing and Publishing - From his childhood apprenticeship in Boston to his career in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin enjoyed a lifelong association with printing and publishing. Some of his published material includes Poor Richard's Almanack; Experiments and Observations on Electricity, a series of scientific experiments; The Pennsylvania Gazette, which consisted of political information; and political cartoons, still used today in publications. His presses also printed a wide range of other materials, such as government pamphlets, religious tracts, currency, and books.

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.

Educational Web Sites

The Benjamin Franklin commemorative postage stamps are designed to give students the "scoop" on this American icon. They can be used as "flash cards" to test your knowledge, as text behind the pane provides highlights of his accomplishments. Below is a list of Web sites that contain educational lesson plans, links to other online resources, and an array of tools to encourage teachers to include the history of Benjamin Franklin in their lesson plans.

Suggested Participating Organizations and Contact Information

Below is a listing of suggested supporters for the Benjamin Franklin commemorative postage stamps. Their representatives are available to offer advice and suggestions and to inform you of the different Benjamin Franklin programs in the United States.

• The Friends of Franklin, Inc.

KATHLEEN DELUCA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PO BOX 40048
PHILADELPHIA PA 19106-0048

Phone: 856-833-1771
E-mail: kathydeluca@benfranklin2006.org
Web site: www.benfranklin2006.org

• The Franklin Institute

STACEY MOYERS
THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE
222 N 20TH ST
PHILADELPHIA PA 19103-1115

Phone: 215-448-1200
E-mail: smoyers@fi.edu
Web site: www.fi.edu

• Ushistory.org

DOUG HELLER
IHA WEBMASTER
25 W MILL RD
FLOURTOWN PA 19031-1201

Phone: 215-233-0328
E-Mail: iha@ushistory.org
Web site: www.ushistory.org

• Ben Franklin and the Armonica

CECILIA BRAUER
BEN FRANKLIN AND THE ARMONICA
2267 HEWLETT AVE
MERRICK NY 11566-3930

Phone: 516-378-0449
E-mail: benfranklin1706@webtv.net
Web site: www.gigmasters.com/armonica

Benjamin Franklin's Thirteen Virtues

Ben Franklin's 13 virtues are unique and a true testament to his character. They guided him to become one of the most accomplished and respected men in the history of the United States. This would be an inspiring and encouraging component to include in your local bulletin and provide to publications in your community.

1. TEMPERANCE - Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

2. SILENCE - Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

3. ORDER - Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

4. RESOLUTION - Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

5. FRUGALITY - Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

6. INDUSTRY - Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

7. SINCERITY - Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8. JUSTICE - Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. MODERATION - Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. CLEANLINESS - Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

11. TRANQUILITY - Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12. CHASTITY - Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.

13. HUMILITY - Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Benjamin Franklin's A to Z Words of Wisdom

Below is a list of wise sayings created by Benjamin Franklin and published in the Poor Richard's Almanack, which is depicted in the Benjamin Franklin, Printer commemorative postage stamp.

Franklin used his printing press to share his wisdom with his fellow Americans and had hope that these would provide guidance for daily life. This would be an inspiring and encouraging component to include in your local bulletin and provide to publications in your community.

A An empty bag cannot stand upright.

B Be always ashamed to catch thyself idle.

C Cheese and salty meat should be sparingly eaten.

D The doors of wisdom are never shut.

E Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

F Full of courtesy, full of craft.

G God helps them that help themselves.

H Hunger never saw bad bread.

I If you'd have a servant that you like, serve your self.

J If Jack's in love, he's no judge of Jill's beauty.

K Keep thy shop and thy shop will keep thee.

L A lie stands on one leg, the truth on two.

M A man without a wife is but half a man.

N Nothing but money is sweeter than honey.

O One today is worth two tomorrows.

P Pay what you owe and you'll know what's your own.

Q A quarrelsome man has no good neighbors.

R The rotten apple spoils his companion.

S Speak little, do much.

T Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.

U Up, sluggard, and waste not life; in the grave will be sleeping enough.

V Visits should be short, like a winter's day.

W Well done is better than well said.

X A good example is the best sermon.

Y You may delay, but time will not.

Z There are lazy minds as well as lazy bodies.

SAMPLE MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release

Contact: [Insert Your Name]
[Insert Date]
[Insert Your Phone Number]

[Insert Name of Post Office] Commemorates Benjamin Franklin's 300th Birthday by Dedicating Four Educational Stamps

EVENT: The U.S. Postal Service teams up with the [Name of Group or Organization] to honor Benjamin Franklin and celebrate the 300th anniversary of his birth by unveiling four commemorative First- Class postage stamps depicting his lifetime achievements as a scientist, printer, postmaster, and statesman. [Change or add to this info if your event is different, but keep it short.]

WHO: [List only dignitaries, key post officials, and any well-known special guests participating and/or attending event.]

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

WHEN: [Insert hour, day and date.]

WHERE: [Insert exact location of event.]

BACKGROUND: With the issuance of these four stamps, the Postal ServiceTM recognizes the 300th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin, an American icon whose diverse accomplishments as a scientist, printer, postmaster, and statesman earned him a cherished place in our nation's history.

Each stamp, designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, AZ, illustrates Franklin's life, career and personal interests.

The Benjamin Franklin, Scientist stamp features Franklin performing the legendary electricity experiment with a kite; a page from Franklin's 1769 volume Experiments and Observations on Electricity; a drawing of Franklin's "three-wheeled clock;" and a depiction of Franklin at a writing desk.

The Benjamin Franklin, Printer stamp features Franklin in a printer's smock; a copy of the Pennsylvania Gazette; the 1733 edition of Poor Richard's Almanack; and a 5-pound currency note printed by Franklin.

The Benjamin Franklin, Postmaster stamp features a graphic of the Boston Post-Boy newspaper; a cover of a 1775 letter; a colonial-era date postmark; and a late 18th-century painting of Franklin.

The Benjamin Franklin, Statesman stamp features Franklin's 1754 "Join or Die" political cartoon; a printed copy of the Declaration of Independence; a portrait of Franklin; and the French side of the 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France, which was negotiated and signed by Franklin.

CONTACT: [List area Public Affairs and Communications representative or postmaster's name and phone number.]

# # #

SAMPLE NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: [Insert Your Name]
[Insert Date]
[Insert Your Phone Number]

Issue this a few weeks prior to event. Use this as a guide for creating your "day of" event news release. Use past tense and include information such as crowd turnout, activities associated with the event, etc.

U.S. Postal Service Honors the First Postmaster General on First-Class Postage Stamps

[City, State] - During a special ceremony today, [Name of Local Elected Official] joined [Postal Service Official Name and Title] to dedicate the Benjamin Franklin commemorative postage stamps to continue the year-long celebration to honor the 300th anniversary of his birth.

The event introducing the four educational 39-cent First-Class postage stamps - took place today at the [Name of Town Post Office or Other Location].

[Insert USPS Quote].

These stamps are designed to give you the "scoop" on this genius who was a printer, scientist, statesman and the nation's first postmaster general. We are honored by this opportunity to keep Benjamin Franklin's legacy and brilliance alive.

Benjamin Franklin, Printer

The image of the stamp honoring Franklin as a printer includes a portrait of him in a printer's smock by illustrator Michael Dooling; a copy of the Pennsylvania Gazette dated Sept. 25 through Oct. 2, 1729; the front of the 1733 edition of Poor Richard's Almanack; and a 5-pound currency note printed by Franklin in 1760. The text on the back of the stamp sheet reads:

From his childhood apprenticeship in Boston to his career in Philadelphia as an adult, Benjamin Franklin enjoyed a lifelong association with printing. In addition to the Pennsylvania Gazette and Poor Richard's Almanack, his presses also printed a wide range of materials, such as government pamphlets, religious tracts, currency and books.

Benjamin Franklin, Scientist

The stamp image honoring Franklin as a scientist includes a whimsical 19th- century Currier and Ives lithograph depicting Franklin and his son performing the legendary electricity experiment with a kite; a page from Franklin's 1769 volume Experiments and Observations on Electricity depicting water spouts and a "magic square;" a schematic drawing of Franklin's "three-wheeled clock" from the late 18th- century book Select Mechanical Exercises by James Ferguson; and a depiction of Franklin at a writing desk from a mural by Charles Elliott Mills at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston, MA. The text on the back of the stamp sheet reads:

Remembered for the pursuits he called "philosophical amusements," Benjamin Franklin was intensely curious about natural phenomena. His observations and experiments in areas such as electricity and meteorology resulted in interesting inventions, including a heating stove, the lightning rod and an early electrical battery.

Benjamin Franklin, Statesman

The stamp honoring Franklin as a statesman includes a detail from John Trumbull's famous painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, painted between 1786 and 1819; a copy of Franklin's 1754 "Join or Die" political cartoon urging colonial unity; the top of a printed copy of the Declaration of Independence; a pastel portrait of Franklin by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis, painted during the 1780s; and the French side of the 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France, which was negotiated and signed by Franklin. The text on the back of the stamp sheet reads:

Deeply involved in politics and civic life, Benjamin Franklin served in the Continental Congress and signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Often considered America's first diplomat, Franklin negotiated an alliance with France and helped to secure a peace treaty with Great Britain.

B. Free Franklin, Postmaster

The Continental Congress appointed Franklin as the first postmaster general of the organization known today as the United States Postal Service. The stamp honoring Franklin as a postmaster includes a graphic device used by the Boston Post-Boy newspaper during the 18th century; a colonial postal cover from Marlboro, MD, on a 1775 letter to Philadelphia; a colonial-era date postmark; and a late 18th-century painting of Franklin by Charles Wilson Peale after a portrait by David Martin. Text across the bottom of the stamp reads: "B. Free Franklin, Postmaster," a reference to Franklin's personal franking signature. The text on the back of the stamp sheet reads:

Benjamin Franklin was vital to the organization of the American postal system, serving as postmaster of Philadelphia and a deputy postmaster for the American colonies before being appointed Postmaster General by the Continental Congress in 1775. He marked postage-free letters with his unique personal signature: "B. Free Franklin."

Since 1775, the Postal Service and its predecessor, the Post Office Department, has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. It is an independent federal agency that visits 144 million s and businesses every day, six days a week and is the only service provider delivering 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 mailing and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The Postal Service delivers more than half of the world's mail volume - some 212 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year - and serves seven and a half million customers each day at its 37,000 retail locations nationwide. Its Web site, usps.com, attracts more than 21 million visitors each month.

# # #

Benjamin Franklin Commemorative Stamps Dedication Speech

The following suggested speech may be used at local ceremonies and events to support and promote the Benjamin Franklin commemorative postage stamps. Feel free to customize it to fit your local event and community.

Thank you and welcome.

Today is a day of historical significance. This special event is to recognize the 300th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin.

I am honored to be here representing the Postal Service as we dedicate a stamp in honor of this American icon who was a statesman, scientist, printer, and the nation's first postmaster general.

The four images chosen for these intricate and brilliantly illustrated stamps capture many of Franklin's lifetime accomplishments. The design that was selected is historical and educational. These stamps are a collage representing one of four aspects of Franklin's life, career, and personal interests.

These stamps capture the essence of what Franklin contributed to this nation many years ago.

I speak to you today not only to celebrate the 300th anniversary of his birth, but to also paint a picture in your head of what Ben Franklin means to the U.S. Postal Service, and more importantly, our nation. It is incredible to think of the everyday things we experience and how most of them can be traced right back to Franklin. From his numerous inventions, the electricity that keeps our society and businesses moving, to the everyday thoughts, ideas, and ways to live, and to the letters and packages that are delivered to our s everyday.

Ladies and gentlemen, you, too, have the opportunity to make a difference. One step is to keep Benjamin Franklin's legacy and brilliance alive and take part in the Postal Service's nationwide celebration - for our children and our children's children.

Take the time this year to appreciate history and honor this great teacher, leader, and inventor. With these stamps, we hope to give you a head start.

So, now, on behalf of the Postal Service, I would like to ask our special guests to join me at the drape as we officially dedicate the Benjamin Franklin commemorative stamps.

[Unveil stamp. Pose for photos.]

- END -

National Postal Facts

Learn more about it . . .

We deliver to every household and business in the United States. Every American has access to our products and services and pays the same postage rate for First- Class Mail service regardless of geographic location. We:

• Deliver 212 billion pieces of mail to over 144 million s, businesses, and Post Office boxes in virtually every state, city, and town in the country, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the American Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.

• Handle more than 44 percent of the world's card and letter mail volume - delivering more mail to more addresses and to a larger geographic area than any other postal service in the world.

• Serve over 7.5 million customers daily at more than 37,000 Post Offices. And 1,450 of our Post Offices now stay open later.

• Provide stamps at:

• More than 27,800 vending machines.

• Nearly 25,400 commercial retail outlets.

• Nearly 15,300 banking and credit union ATMs.

• 2,500 Automated Postal Centers.

• Have an annual operating revenue of nearly $70 billion.

• Employ more than 700,000 career employees, who communicate with each other on the world's largest intranet.

• Pay more than $2 billion in salaries and benefits every 2 weeks.

Did You Know?

• According to the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, 70 percent of consumers prefer to receive advertisements and promotions via the U.S. Mail.

• We move mail using most means of transportation: planes, trains, trucks, cars, boats, bicycles, and even mules.

• When fuel costs rise just one cent, our costs increase $8 million.

• About 14 percent of the nation's population moves every year, generating more than 45 million address changes.

• In 2005, we accepted 4.7 million passport applications - 65 percent of the total processed by the Department of State.

We receive no tax dollars from the federal government for our operations. We are a self-supporting agency, using the revenue from the sales of postage and postage-related products to pay expenses.

24/7 Access - Quick, Easy, Convenient

Most postal products and services available inside a Post Office are now available online at www.usps.com.

• The Postal Service Web site is one of the most popular government sites, with more than 800,000 people a day visiting www.usps.com.

• The Postal Store (www.usps.com/shop) features postage stamps and stationery, philatelic collectibles, and other gift items. In 2005, stamp sales on The Postal Store exceeded $135 million.

And, at your desktop Post Office you can:

• Order stamps and stamp-related products.

• Order Priority Mail and Express Mail boxes and labels at no cost.

• Create and pay for mailing labels with electronic postage with Click-N-Ship service.

• Request free package pickup by your letter carrier.

Look up:

• ZIP CodesTM.

• Post Office locations within a close proximity to a specific address.

• Postage rates.

Manage your mail:

• Change your address.

• Hold your mail while you go on vacation.

• Forward your mail to a temporary location.

• Request that a package you missed be redelivered.

• Get Delivery ConfirmationTM service.

Make your own mail:

• Create customized newsletters, greeting cards, postcards, and flyers and have them mailed the next business day.

• Send a gift card from a variety of retailers.

• Find the resources you need to create a direct mail campaign.

The five most utilized areas on our Web site are: (in order of popularity)

1. Track and Confirm.

2. ZIP Code Lookup.

3. Rate Calculator.

4. Post Office Locator.

5. Click-N-Ship.

We're Part of the Community

The U.S. Postal Service is the most visible and personal of all federal agencies. People know they can trust us. Postal employees are members of the communities they serve and they make significant contributions.

In 2005, 400 employees were recognized as heroes - by risking their own lives to save the lives of the customers they serve.

Semipostal stamps raise money to support worthy causes:

• As of January 2006, the Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp has raised $48.9 million.

• The Heroes semipostal stamp, sold from June 2002 through December 2004, raised $10.6 million to assist families of emergency relief personnel killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty on September 11, 2001.

• As of January 2006, the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp has raised $1.8 million to help victims of these tragedies.

Employees pledged nearly $39 million in 2005 to their favorite charities through the Combined Federal Campaign.

Since 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers has sponsored the nation's largest 1-day food drive. In 2005, a record 71.3 million pounds of food was collected nationwide.

This year, National Dog Bite Prevention Week will be held May 21-27 to build awareness concerning animal attacks.

Working with ADVO to reunite families, the "Have You Seen Me" detached direct-mail card highlights the power of the mail - 138 missing children have been found and returned to their s (as of 12/05).

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is one of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies. In 2005, the Inspection Service launched "Operation Dialing for Dollars" to shut down fraudulent telemarketers targeting older Americans. The operation resulted in 64 arrests and 64 convictions.

The Postal Service is a recognized leader in efforts to make the world a safer and cleaner place by protecting the environment. We:

• Generate over $8.5 million in revenue through recycling and waste prevention programs.

• Recycle 1 million tons of wastepaper, cardboard, plastics, cans, and other materials annually.

• Operate the world's largest fleet of alternative fuel vehicles - more than 30,000 of them - that use clean fuels such as ethanol and electricity.

• Use recycled products to produce postage stamps and mailing products.

Mail is Big Business

Correspondence and transactions - $36 billion

Business advertising - $18.9 billion

Expedited delivery - $5.5 billion

Publications delivery - $2.2 billion

Standard package delivery - $2.2 billion

International mail - $1.8 billion

The Postal Service is the core of the nation's $900 billion mailing industry, which employs nine million people.

Go online to www.usps.com, our 24/7 Post Office, where you can do most everything you can at your local Post Office.

The U.S. Postal Service is viewed by the American public as the most trusted organization for privacy among all 70 federal departments, agencies, bureaus, and other entities examined in the 2006 privacy trust survey conducted by Ponemon Institute.

# # #

— Community Relations,
Public Affairs and Communications, 3-16-06