United States Postal Service Black Heritage Stamps

WHEREAS, Americans are living in a period in which there is much emphasis placed on diversity in educational systems, the workplace, good government, neighborhoods and communities and even in the practice of religion; and

WHEREAS, various studies have been conducted, resulting in findings that indicate children's self-esteem is conditioned by environmental factors such as visual intake from society, television, books, newspapers, magazines, advertising and other printed media, including postal stamps; and

WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service (USPS) encouraged by its Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) (who sets the basic criteria for determining eligibility of subjects for commemoration), has in good faith issued the Black Heritage Series which, to name a few, include commemorative stamps for stately personalities such as General Benjamin O. Davis, Madame C. J. Walker and this year, Malcolm X; and

WHEREAS, commemorative stamps remain in stock with the USPS for approximately one to two (1 to 2) years from the date of issue, after which (if they have not been sold) the existing stock is destroyed and their attainment is available only through a stamp dealer; and

WHEREAS, it is not cost-effective for the USPS to continue the production of stamps which do not sell, nor good marketing for the USPS to market products which must be trashed.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that it is incumbent upon the African-American community, and other people of color in particular, to make certain that the Black Heritage Stamp Program is a viable and successful one by the purchase and use of the commemorative stamps issued; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP encourages every person of color, young and old, to go on a personal campaign to continually request Black Heritage Stamps at the post office and other points of sale to ensure their availability at various retail outlets and to ensure their continued production and to ensure that not one meets destruction; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the U.S. Post Office and Congress be informed that more Black Heritage Stamps should be made available to the general public, especially in areas where people of color are predominant; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that all NAACP units (Branches, Youth Councils, College Chapters, State Conferences and the National Board) take steps to foster the above merchandising, by informing its membership about the issuance and availability of the Black Heritage Series, as well as the 1999 program for stamps and the criteria for stamp subject selection, and encourage public participation in the process for submitting ideas for subject matters to be printed on future issues of commemorative stamps.