Mailers Council News Release

For Immediate Release         Release No. 05-2

July 26, 2005    www.mailers.org

Contact:              Robert E. McLean          bmclean@mailers.org      703-418-0390

Mailers Council Applauds Passage of HR 22, Postal Reform Bill

WASHINGTON, DC, July 26, 2005—Mailers Council Executive Director Robert E. McLean today issued the following statement in response to passage in the House of Representatives of HR 22, a bill to reform the United States Postal Service.

“We applaud members of the House of Representatives for passing HR 22, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. This bill brings us one step closer to ensuring the long-term financial integrity of the Postal Service, which delivers essential support to the $9 billion mailing industry and more than 9 million jobs. We look forward to quick consideration of the bill in the Senate.

“Passage of this bill is a testament to the work of a diverse coalition of businesses and trade associations, employee unions and management associations. These organizations have worked with a bipartisan group of House and Senate members to push for passage this year. Rate increases in the next two years could devastate the mailing industry and prompt the elimination of many jobs—unless we see passage of postal reform legislation. Therefore, we strongly encourage Congress and the White House to help for-profit and nonprofit mailers nationwide and pass postal reform legislation this year.”

The Mailers Council is a coalition of corporations, nonprofit organizations and major mailing associations. Collectively the Council accounts for 70 percent of the nation's mail volume. The Mailers Council believes that the USPS can be operated more efficiently, supports efforts aimed at lowering postal costs, and has the ultimate objective of containing postal rates without compromising service.

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