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S. 991

STATUS INFORMATION

Senate Resolution
Sponsors: Senator Hutto
Document Path: l:\council\bills\swb\5832mm04.doc

Introduced in the Senate on February 24, 2004
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on General

Summary: U.S. Postal Service

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
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   2/24/2004  Senate  Introduced SJ-6
   2/24/2004  Senate  Referred to Committee on General SJ-6

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

2/24/2004

EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE FOR THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE AND ITS HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE OF ITS PUBLIC SERVICE OBLIGATION OF UNIVERSAL SERVICE AT UNIFORM RATES, AND OPPOSING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE OF THE POSTAL SERVICE.

Whereas, the United States Postal Service was established as a public service by our founding fathers in 1775 to bind our nation together by providing a means for commerce and communications; and

Whereas, the framers of the United States Constitution charged the federal government with providing postal services to all communities -- rich and poor, urban and rural -- with uniform rates; and

Whereas, for nearly 230 years the availability of dependable, affordable mail service has proved vitally important to all American businesses and citizens; and

Whereas, President George W. Bush convened a commission that has recommended increased cost, reduced service and accessibility, and reduced collective bargaining and workers rights; and

Whereas, advocates of postal change also advocate privatization of the Postal Service; but, for Americans in rural areas and for many in inner cities as well, a profit motive cannot support the provision of essential services; and

Whereas, the Postal Service remains an important part of our nation's economic infrastructure, through which nearly one trillion dollars of economic activity is conducted each year, and through which nine million employees enjoy equal employment opportunities, wages, and benefits; and

Whereas, millions of Americans, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged or older, do not have access to Internet electronic transfers and bill paying, and change to the Postal Service that affects the continued availability of affordable mail service for all citizens will further erode their perilous economic security; and

Whereas, Americans currently enjoy the most extensive postal service at the lowest postage rates of any major industrialized nation in the world, as the Postal Service operates without taxpayer subsidies and postage rate increases remain at or below the inflation rate; and

Whereas, the continuation of six-day mail delivery is vital for businesses, communities, organizations, and valuable citizens who depend on Saturday delivery for receiving checks, prescription drugs, and instruments of news and knowledge; and

Whereas, it is a fundamental responsibility of the federal government to provide a postal system with universal service at uniform rates to the citizens of the United States. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express their support for the United States Postal Service and its historical performance of its public service obligation of universal service at uniform rates, and opposing the recommendations of the Presidential Commission on the future of the Postal Service.

Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to President George W. Bush and to the members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.

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