1. Stamp Program
The Postal Service produced a wide variety of commemorative and definitive stamps. The stamps that were issued began as proposals from the public that were researched, reviewed and recommended by the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC.) CSAC annually receives, through the Office of Stamp Services, approximately 50,000 proposals for subjects to be considered on stamps. The stamps issued in 2001 recognize a variety of great people and their achievements in the American experience, nostalgic and cultural American icons, significant events and the natural beauty and wildlife of the United States.

The 2001 commemorative stamp and stationery program consisted of 23 stamp issues, four stamped cards and one envelope. The seventh issuance in the Legends of Hollywood series, Lucille Ball, pleased a large number of American households, where even today, she appears on reruns of “I Love Lucy.” Legendary Baseball Stadiums presented a picture of another time and some bygone places where Americans enjoyed their favorite pastime. The legendary Looney Tunes series came to its end with Porky Pig uttering the famous phrase “That’s All Folks!” and an entire generation of Peanuts lovers celebrated the issuance of a Snoopy stamp depicting him atop his doghouse, portraying the Red Baron. The art of illustration was honored with a collection of 20 stamps entitled “American Illustrators,” which proved to be one of the most popular stamps of the year. Illustrators such as Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth, Frederick Remington and Maxfield Parrish had their talents recognized on the popular pane of stamps. Diabetes was the subject of the latest in our social awareness stamps. Two new subjects in our expanded Holiday Celebrations series were added with the issuance stamps for “Thanksgiving” and the Islamic celebration of “Eid.” Famous personages such as Roy Wilkins, the civil rights activist, Enrico Fermi, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist, and Leonard Bernstein, the famed composer and conductor, were among many other exciting and important issues during the year.

The events of September 11 brought great sadness but with it came a greater appreciation for our nation. The Postal Service was proud to take part in the tribute to the Heroes and afford Americans another way to share in their patriotism with the dedication of the “United We Stand” stamp, which was designed and produced in record time.

We successfully responded to the Semipostal Authorization Act of 2000. The Act authorized the Postal Service to establish a 10-year program to sell semipostal stamps. The Postal Service responded in February, 2001 by publishing its proposed rule for public comment in the Federal Register. After comments were considered, the Postal Service published its final rule and solicitation for proposals for semipostal stamps in the Federal Register. Although semipostals are common in other foreign postal administrations, this was the first time the Postal Service was given the authority to create a semipostal program. The response was overwhelming in terms of inquiries and amount of public participation. CSAC Members reviewed 35 qualified proposals including the proposals for executive agencies that would administer funds raised for 33 different humanitarian and social awareness causes submitted in accordance with the rules and regulations established for the semipostal program.

The 2002 stamp program was successfully completed earlier than previous years. The accelerated schedule affords earlier development of stamp and retail products and earlier release of designs to the media, field offices, and the public.