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Obama Introduces Legislation to Create a Postage Stamp Honoring the Legacy of Rosa Parks

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Obama Contact: Robert Gibbs or Tommy Vietor, (202) 228-5511
Illinois Contact: Julian Green, (312) 886-3506
Date: December 21, 2005

Obama Introduces Legislation to Create a Postage Stamp Honoring the Legacy of Rosa Parks

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) late Tuesday introduced legislation that would instruct the Postmaster General to create a commemorative postage stamp to honor the legacy of Rosa Parks. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), John Kerry (D-MA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

"Rosa Parks will be remembered decades from now because of her courage and her commitment to doing what's right," said Obama. "I believe we should continue to honor her legacy by issuing a postage stamp in her honor."

Postal Service regulations require the honoree to be deceased for 10 years before issuing a commemorative stamp. Obama's legislation would request an exception to this rule. The only regular exception made is for Presidents, who need to have been deceased for one year. The last time the House made an exception was in 1948 for Moina Michael, an advocate for World War I veterans. Since 1893, only 8% of commemorative stamps issued have featured women.

"Rosa Parks will be remembered in our history books and our hearts, because America would not be the country it is today without her courage so many years ago. This commemorative stamp is a wonderful way for her legacy to continue to inspire us to act on the courage of our convictions and always be true to our ideals of equality, freedom and justice," said Senator Kerry.

Recently, Senator Obama joined Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) in introducing legislation to place a statue of Rosa Parks in Statuary Hall. President Bush recently signed this legislation into law. Rosa Parks will be the first African American honored with a statue in Statuary Hall.