Postal Convention Welcoming Remarks

NAPUS Welcoming Remarks

by Kenneth D. McClintock

San Juan, Puerto Rico

August 12, 2011

On behalf of Governor Luis Fortuño, I am honored to welcome you to Puerto Rico. ¡Bienvenidos a las Islas del Encanto!  Welcome to the islands of enchantment!

Even though he cannot be here this morning, since he’s devoting all of this week to visits and meetings in eastern Puerto Rico, Governor Fortuño wanted to express to you his appreciation for choosing our Islands to hold this important gathering of postmasters.

I would like give special thanks to Robert Rapoza, NAPUS’ National President, as well as its Executive Board, for allowing us the opportunity to welcome you and, most importantly, to be your hosts.

Leaving all pretense of modesty aside, NAPUS could not have chosen a better place to hold its National Convention.

…and I am not referring necessarily to the fact that Puerto Rico is a beautiful tropical island destination —which I am sure that those of you coming from more temperate latitudes are particularly enjoying…

…but to Puerto Rico’s political, geographical and cultural attributes. Located at the crossroads of the Americas, and with bilingual and bicultural U.S. citizens, Puerto Rico is not only where the United States and Latin America meet but also where the United States becomes a Caribbean nation.

Puerto Rico has been a territory of the United States since 1898 and, together with the 50 States of the Union and the District of Columbia, comprises the Customs Area of the United States —the only U.S. territory having this attribute.

And yet many are not aware of this crucial asset… Puerto Rico’s potential as a trade hub of the Americas is virtually untapped because Puerto Rico is largely unknown and often misunderstood —incorrectly perceived as a Caribbean nation with a special relationship with the United States of obscure characteristics from a political standpoint having unclear implications in terms of trade and investment.

Not so the U.S. Postal Service… which clearly recognizes and treats Puerto Rico as a part of the United States.

Not surprisingly, the U.S. Postal Service has been to many citizens, regardless of where they are situated across this vast country of ours, the most visible symbol of national unity. I even venture to say that the political union and common market that America is today, would not have been possible without the U.S. Postal Service.

So important the U.S. Postal Service has been to the purpose and objectives of the federal government that until 1970 it was the Post Office Department and the U.S. Postmaster General was a member of the Cabinet.

Despite criticism from competitors and political ideologues who want to put an end to it, the Nation still needs the U.S. Postal Service today as a function of the federal government… and Americans wants to keep it that way.

According to a recent Rasmussen poll, sixty-four percent (64%) rate its performance as good or excellent and just 11% say the Postal Service is doing a poor job. Moreover, seventy-seven percent (77%) think it is at least somewhat likely that there will still be a need for the Postal Service in 10 years. Compare that to the President’s 46% approval rating and to Congress’ dismal 12%!

It is true that the U.S. Postal Service has been facing declining revenues and increasing costs —and so has the federal government— but no one has seriously proposed to do away with the federal government because it has been running a budget deficit every year since 1969, except at the end of President Clinton’s second term.

The administration of Governor Fortuño recognizes the value of the U.S. Postal Service to the residents of Puerto Rico. Our party platform pledges to collaborate with the U.S. Postal Service in the standardization of postal addresses, among other issues.

Not only has the U.S. Postal Service been a part of the history of Puerto Rico, it has also documented the history of our Islands through postage stamps and pictorial cancellations. In 1937 a stamp was dedicated to La Fortaleza, the oldest executive office mansion in the United States… in 1949, to the first gubernatorial election of Puerto Rico… to the 450th anniversary of the founding of San Juan in 1971… and the 500th Anniversary of Columbus' Landing in Puerto Rico in 1993.

Important figures in Puerto Rico’s history such as Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, Governor Luis Munoz Marín, musician Tito Puente, and poet Julia De Burgos have graced the postage stamps of the United States.  In a few weeks, you’ll be honoring our most prolific composer, Rafael Hernández.

And just last month I had the honor of witnessing, together with Congressman Pedro Pierluisi, the first day of issue of the flag of Puerto Rico stamp that is a part of our Flags of Our Nation collection.

No jurisdiction of the United States understands better than Puerto Rico the vital role that the U.S. Postal Service plays as an engine of the national economy and as a facilitator of America’s unity.

I wish you success in your meetings as you continue discussing how to meet the tough issues ahead.

Thank you for being here, in the Islands of Enchantment.