Reps. Hood, Stahl, Lipsey, Plakas, McConico, Byrum, Sak, Rivet, Vagnozzi, Tobocman, Accavitti, Hune, Cheeks, Dennis, Acciavatti, Brown, Caswell, Clack, Condino, Elkins, Farhat, Farrah, Gieleghem, Gillard, Hager, Hardman, Hopgood, Huizenga, Hunter, Jamnick, Kolb, Law, Middaugh, Minore, Mortimer, Murphy, O'Neil, Sheltrown, Smith, Spade, Stallworth, Waters and Wojno offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 132.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States and the United States Postal Service to refrain from implementing recent recommendations to close small-sized post offices across the country.

            Whereas, Access to postal service is as old as our nation itself.  Since its founding in 1775, the Postal Service has been a key vehicle for commerce and communication for all communities, regardless of wealth, geography, or size; and

            Whereas, The American postal system, with uniform rates and universal access, is the most extensive, efficient, and least costly of any in the industrialized world.  This is achieved without taxpayer subsidies and through service rate increases that have remained at or below inflation rates; and

            Whereas, The Postal Service has suffered increasing financial difficulties recently, due to a variety of factors, including reduced volume of business caused by the economic slowdown and the impact of terrorism.  In response, a commission has made a series of recommendations to address the financial challenges facing the system.  Several of the recommendations would bring about significant and potentially damaging changes to this key universal service; and

            Whereas, In addition to suggestions that could revamp the uniform rate structure, the recommendations also include major cutbacks in service.  A key element of the curtailment of services is the recommendation to close post offices in remote areas.  The impact of eroding universal access, especially in smaller communities, would be very harmful.  While there can be no question that following a business, profit-oriented model holds many benefits, this is a service that is essential to communication and commerce.  Universal access to postal services must remain a national priority, as it has over the past 230 years; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States and the United States Postal Service to refrain from implementing recent recommendations to close small-sized post offices across the country; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the United States Postal Service.