Postal Service to Honor Living Individuals on Stamps Invites Public to Offer Suggestions through Social Media

Postal Service to Honor Living Individuals on Stamps
Invites Public to Offer Suggestions through Social Media

WASHINGTON — Beginning next year, Americans will see acclaimed musicians, sports stars, writers, artists and other nationally-known figures on U.S. postage stamps — while they are still alive. The Postal Service is inviting the public to use social media to submit their ideas for individuals to honor.

The Postal Service is dropping a rule that currently requires an individual to have been deceased at least five years before being honored on a stamp. Under the new guidelines, living or recently deceased individuals will be eligible for commemoration on postage stamps.

“This change will enable us to pay tribute to individuals for their achievements while they are still alive to enjoy the honor,” said Patrick Donahoe, Postmaster General. “These remarkable individuals — through their transformative achievements in their respective fields — have made enduring contributions to the United States of America. Honoring living individuals expands the interest in stamp topics and keeps our program timely, relevant and contemporary.”

Stephen Kearney, manager, Stamp Services, said, “Engaging the public to offer their ideas is an innovative way to expand interest in stamps and the popular hobby of collecting them. We are inviting our customers to submit the top five living individuals they would like to see on stamps through Facebook and Twitter. As always, you can mail your suggestions to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, c/o Stamp Development, Room 3300, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington DC 20260-3501.”

Stamp Selection Process
Each year, the Postmaster General’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) — composed of individuals whose backgrounds reflect a wide range of educational, artistic, historical and professional expertise — receives as many as 40,000 suggestions for stamp subjects. The Committee selects subjects of broad national interest for recommendation to the Postmaster General. Approximately 50 new subjects are recommended each year. Stamp selections are made with all postal customers in mind, not just stamp collectors. Visit the link for information on the committee and the stamp selection process.

2012 Stamps Previewed on Social Media
Using social media, the Postal Service began raising interest in stamp collecting by previewing select stamps from the 2012 commemorative program.

Customers can view the stamps on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, through Twitter@USPSstamps or on the website Beyond the Perf at beyondtheperf.com/2012-preview. Beyond the Perf is the Postal Service’s online site for back stories on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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