NAPUS Members Urged to Call and Oppose HR 2309

Director of Government Relations Bob Levi urged everyone to call their Republican representatives—202-224-3121—and oppose Rep. Darrell Issa’s (R-CA) bill, H.R. 2309. The subcommittee will mark the bill up next Thursday, Sept. 22; it could be brought before the full House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for a vote in October.

NAPUS is strongly opposed to this legislation. It could result in the closure of thousands of post offices; would create a commission to close offices; would create two new bureaucracies that would supplant the Postal Board of Governors and upper management; would increase the agency’s debt load by $10 billion; and would not correct the Postal Service’s pension overpayment, among other issues.

The critical representatives to call are those from California, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Utah, Michigan, Oklahoma, New York, Arizona, Idaho, Tennessee, Illinois, South Carolina, New Hampshire and Texas.

Levi said Postmasters need to put pressure on—now—so there are not enough votes to send this bill to the House.

Postmasters Retired President Paul Edd Butler gave his last convention address as president of the organization. He congratulated newly elected President Jack Wilkins and Vice President Ann McDorman; they will assume office Jan. 1.

Butler said the threat of closing offices in rural areas is becoming reality. He is concerned about the impact closings will have on the elderly and infirm in these rural communities. He encouraged retirees to step up and offer their help to Postmasters just trying to survive. “We want to help you keep your jobs and your offices open,” he pledged.

National PM Rep Committee Chair Larry Jones recognized the national and state PM reps at the convention. He said he continues to be impressed with the results the national PM reps have had and credited state PM reps with taking on many duties and responsibilities the national PM reps used to have. Jones said the PM reps have saved jobs and money for NAPUS.

NAPUS Legal Defense Plan Attorney Phil Jones reminded Postmasters that, over the 20 years he’s worked with NAPUS, he has continued to encourage members to be active and talk to their congressional representatives. “Stand up for your rights,” he urged.

After he was sworn in, NAPUS President Bob Rapoza told members he was excited at being re-elected for another term. But he acknowledged there are tough challenges ahead. “Now, more than ever, it is time for NAPUS to be united—not divided—and work together to protect the Postal Service from insolvency, our jobs and titles from extinction and our organization from declining membership,” he told members.

He pledged to work to assure Postmasters have jobs and that their health and retirement benefits remain in good hands. That means working with Congress, the Postal Regulatory Commission and Postal Headquarters. Rapoza said Congress needs to stop playing games with money that belongs to the Postal Service.

“I pledge to you NAPUS will work diligently, in a professional manner, to represent the interests of all Postmasters. We must rededicate ourselves to becoming part of the solution. Let us reunite—right here, right not—and look forward to fulfilling an important role in the America of tomorrow.”

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