From: Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen)
Subject: STAMPS: New Stamped Envelope Recognizes Americans With Disabilities
Organization: Echo Beach
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 01:46:40 GMT

Press release from National Organization on Disability
 
 New Stamped Envelope Recognizes Americans with Disabilities 
 To: National Desk 
 Contact: Mark Lewis of National Organization on Disability, 
          202-293-5960 
 
   WASHINGTON, July 21 /U.S. Newswire/ -- America's first 29-cent 
stamped envelope ever to honor the nation's 43 million men, women 
and children with disabilities will be dedicated at 10 a.m. on 
July 22 in the Great Hall of the U.S. Department of Justice in 
Washington, D.C. 
   It was designed by Richard D. Sheaff of Needham Heights, Mass. 
   The Americans with disabilities envelope first day of issue 
ceremony will feature remarks by the following individuals: 
 
   John R. Dunne, assistant attorney general for Civil Rights 
   Alan A. Reich, president, National Organization on Disability 
   John W. Patten, publisher, BusinessWeek 
   Joseph J. Mahon, senior assistant postmaster general, who will 
dedicate the envelope 
 
   On stage as honored guests will be Sen. Robert Dole and James 
S. Brady, vice chairman, National Organization on Disability. 
The postmaster of Washington, D.C., Helen M. Bainsford, will 
preside at the ceremony.  The invocation will be offered by Mary 
Jane Owen, member of the board of directors of the National 
Organization on Disability. 
   The issuance of the new envelope commemorates the second 
anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which 
President Bush signed into law on July 26, 1990.  The ADA is the 
world's first comprehensive civil rights law for people with 
disabilities, marking America's commitment to full and equal 
opportunity for all its citizens. 
   The new envelopes can be requested and ordered at post offices 
beginning July 23.  They will be available in two sizes, No. 10 
business size and No. 6-3/4 stationary size, personalized or 
plain. 
 
   Background: 
   A. The concept of America paying tribute to people with 
disabilities through the U.S. Postal Service was introduced by 
the National Organization on Disability and BusinessWeek magazine 
in talks with the Postal Service last summer.  The Postal 
Service-created envelope was unveiled in Washington on May 28 at 
the annual meeting of the President's Committee on the Employment 
of People with Disabilities.  "By using these envelopes for 
business and personal use, organizations and individuals will be 
sending a strong message of support for the full participation of 
Americans with disabilities in all aspects of life," said Reich 
at the unveiling. 
   B. All proceeds from the sale of the new stamped envelope will 
go to the Postal Service.  An initial printing of 10 million 
envelopes is planned. 
   C. "Let's give the Elvis Presley stamp a run for its money -- 
and raise awareness of how America benefits through the full 
participation of people with disabilities," wrote Patten in 
letters to business leaders last month, promoting use of the new 
envelope. 
    ------ 
   Editors: 
   Media coverage of the July 22 first day issue ceremony is 
invited, 10 to 11 a.m., Great Hall, U.S. Department of 
Justice, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, 
D.C. 
   Visuals: A large blow-up of the new envelope (6 feet by 3 
feet) will be on display on the stage of the Great Hall. 
   The Department of Justice will videotape the ceremony. 
 -30- 

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