From the VEEP
We’ve had some recent positive experiences I’d like to share with the
membership this month. First, we met locally with Representative Steve
Driehaus and an aid from Representative Jean Schmidt’s office. The highly
sought after USPS financial reform legislation has been introduced in the
House, and finally a report from MDA summer camp.
Branch 43 Legislative Liaisons and leaders attended meetings with
Representatives from both the 1st and 2nd Ohio
Districts last month. We were pleased to discover that Congresswoman Jean
Schmidt [OH-2] had signed House Resolution 173. Although this is not
legislation, it does express …the sense of the House of Representatives
that the United States Postal Service should take all appropriate measures
to ensure the continuation of its 6-day mail delivery service. Meeting
with Ms. Schmidt in her Washington office this past spring, she was deeply
concerned about the future viability of the Postal Service, and especially
the effect any reduction in service would have on the rural communities she
represents.
During our meeting with Congressman Driehaus, he reiterated his commitment
to 6-day delivery he promised in the spring and inquired about pending
legislation. We discussed the proposed rate increase and the over-funding
of the CSRS retirement system. We also stated that if legislation were
introduced and passed regarding the more than $50 billion in over-funding as
reported by the OIG and the PRC, there would be no need to raise postage or
eliminate a day of delivery.
In between meetings with our local Representatives,
Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) introduced H.R 5746. This proposed legislation
would …amend the provisions of title 5, United States Code, relating to
the methodology for calculating the amount of any Postal surplus or
supplemental liability under the Civil Service Retirement System. H.R.
5746 is a major step in addressing the financial predicament our employer
currently faces. The bill is written to implement many of the Postal
Regulatory Commission recommendations. As of this writing, the bill has gone
to the full House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. NALC
legislative activists nationwide are being called to action to recruit
co-sponsors for H.R. 5746. I encourage all members to contact their
representatives and stay informed about this important legislation at
www.nalc.org.
Finally, after more than 10 years of raising funds for MDA, I attended their
summer camp. Also invited were Branch 43 MDA chairman Mike Mize, NBA Dan
Toth, and branch leaders from Hamilton and Dayton. Upon arrival, the
campers were finishing breakfast in a cafeteria filled with loud chatter
just as anyone would expect from a large group of youngsters. When they
began heading outside, I noticed a big difference. Most of them had limited
mobility and many were in wheelchairs. After introductions and a brief tour
of the cabins, we were off for the day’s activities. The morning consisted
of a friendly competition on a tabletop shuffleboard game, fishing on the
banks of a river, and wooden crafts provided by Lowe’s. The highlight was a
chance to ‘test drive’ a small prototype electric vehicle. MDA summer camp
gives these children the opportunity to share experiences and build
confidence in ways they are not able to in their daily lives because of
their disabilities. This was the first year the Cincinnati and Dayton MDA
offices combined their camps. MDA Summer Camp is provided at no cost to the
families of these children, and is just one of the many ways letter carriers
reach out and raise funds for those who suffer from muscular dystrophy. This
is an unforgettable week for the children and an unforgettable day for me.
In
Solidarity, Dave Kennedy
