In the month of April, the Texas delegation of legislative liaisons visited the State of Washington on a legislative trip. There we visited with the congressmen and women who represent the State of Texas to gain their support for the legislative bills that effect the Postal Service and its workers, specifically us. We gathered together as a group to strategize our plan of action. We were well versed on the facts and were prepared to engage in intellectual conversation on the issues of our concerns. Meetings were scheduled around the clock; ahead of our visits. If we got no scheduled visit, we still showed up. No Texas member of Congress was missed, whether Democrat or Republican.

We introduced ourselves by explaining who letter carriers are. Hard workers who worked during rain, sleet, snow or Covid. Over thirty (30) percent are veterans, who worked diligently to protect this country and who are now working just as hard to protect the mail entrusted in their care. We are a diverse group of people, consisting of men and women of all races and creed. We are community leaders who provide charity assistance to those who are in need of food with our Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive and we are a long-time sponsor to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. We are the eyes and ears of the public each and every day.

In our visit, we discussed our need for Congress to support the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act (H. R. 1065/S. 463) This bill will provide funding to the Postal Service that would be used to install high-security collection boxes and cover the cost to replace items carried by letter carriers with more secure electronic versions; thus, reducing the numbers of robberies. This bill would require the attorney general to promptly appoint an assistant U.S. attorney in each judicial district to prioritize any case that involves an assault or crime against a letter carrier. This would strengthen the sentencing guidelines for these crimes, ensuring that they are treated in the same manner as assaults on federal law enforcement officers.

We also advocated for the support of the Federal Retirement Fairness Act (H.R. 1522). The passing of this bill would benefit more than 65 percent of the current letter carriers by allowing them the opportunity to purchase retirement credit for the time they spent as non-career employees; thereby, providing greater retirement security. Last but not least, we expressed our desire for Congress to oppose postal privatization (H.Res. 70/S.Res. 147). The Postal Service is the core of the United States mailing industry. We are the last mile delivery to every business and residential customer in the country seven days a week. To privatize the Postal Service would be a detriment to the millions of Americans who rely upon our service; especially those in rural areas because their mail service would suffer as their delivery of mail would not be profitable for a private investor.

We need the support of Congress. To get this accomplished cost money. This is why it is so important that each letter carrier contributes to the Letter Carrier Political Fund. We all know, money speaks in the political world. Money gets results. If you are contributing, thank you. If you are not contributing start. This cannot be expressed enough. Our jobs are under attack. The future of the Postal Service is wavering. Let’s not get caught slipping. Do your part.

Special thanks to the following members of Branch 132 for their roles in getting our mission accomplished, Keven Fegans, Trevor Haas, Eugene Johnson, Kevin Rape, Twasky Smith, Ron Stover, Rita Wilder, and myself. Hip, hip, hooray!