Zora Neale Hurston, novelist, folklorist, and anthropologist, graced the Postal Service's Literary Arts series as the 19th stamp in that series. The Lunar New Year series continued with its 11th issuance by recognizing the Year of the Ram. Fans of the popular Legends of Hollywood series added the Audrey Hepburn stamp to their collections as she became the 9th person honored with a commemorative stamp in the series. Ohio continues the Postal Service's Statehood series with a stamp for the Buckeye State's bicentennial. The interesting and educational Arctic Tundra issue continues as the 5th stamp pane in the Postal Service's Nature of America series. American Treasures continues with the issuance of a doubled-sided booklet honoring the artistic work of Mary Cassatt as the 3rd issuance in this series. A familiar sight on American coastlines was renewed with another set of five stamps featuring five landmarks of Southeastern Lighthouses. Also, the Postal Service honored the nation's veterans with the issuance of the Korean War Veterans Memorial stamp.

     Individual and group issues honored in 2003 include civil rights leader Cesar E. Chavez, who is best know as the founder of the United Farm Workers of America and a tireless advocate for nonviolent social change. Roy Acuff, who is often called the King of Country Music, helped turn the Grand Ole Opry into the nation's foremost country music institution. Four great figures from the early days of sports — Walter Camp, Ernie Nevers, Red Grange, and Bronko Nagurski — grace a set of colorized black and white photos of these Early Football Heroes.

     In addition to honoring personal achievements, stamps immortalized the following national recognitions on their centennials: First Flight, which displays an airborne Wright Flyer, was commemorated with a souvenir sheet. The 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase, often referred to as the greatest real estate deal in history, was celebrated in stamps, as was the centennial of the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, which is located in Brevard County, Florida.

     Other exciting issues in the 2003 stamp program include the American Filmmaking: Behind the Scenes, Reptiles and Amphibians, District of Columbia, and the Old Glory prestige booklet.

     In response to Public Law 107-67 (November 21, 2001), both the Breast Cancer Research (BCR) and Heroes of 2001 semipostal stamps remained on sale throughout 2003. The Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp remained on sale through December 31, 2003, and the Heroes of 2001 semipostal stamp may remain on sale through December 31, 2004.

     The Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp was issued on October 8, 2003. The Stamp Out Domestic Violence Act of 2001 directs the Postal Service to transfer the net proceeds from the sale of these semipostal stamps to the Department of Health and Human Services to support domestic violence programs. The Stop Family Violence semipostal was to be placed on sale no later than January 1, 2004 and remain on sale no later than December 31, 2006.

     In 2003, nationwide philatelic product sales increased by 102 percent over last year. This increase in sales can be attributed to the production of new innovative philatelic products and by expanding the Postal Service's established sales channels. Some of the new philatelic products produced and sold during 2003 include Cancellation Keepsakes, Matted Keepsakes, and the Old Glory prestige booklet. In addition to placing philatelic products on Postal Service slat walls, other sales channels included 800- STAMP-24 telephone orders, online sales, and mail orders through the USA Philatelic catalog.

     In keeping with the Postal Service's official mission to manage costs, private stamp printing contracts were awarded to three private suppliers. The contract award is for four years, with three two-year options. Projected savings during the first four years of these contracts is $105 million.