DOI: 10.25549/gmha-m101
title: Gospel singers, First day of issue, Superdome, New Orleans, LA,  July 15, 1998

description: "Gospel Singers: First day of issue; Superdome, New Orleans, LA; July 15, 1998". [Cover page]: "Gospel Singers: First day of issue; Superdome, New Orleans, LA; July 15, 1998". Cover shows, in each quadrant of the page, a picture of Mahalia Jackson, Roberta Martin, Clara Ward, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. [Page 2]: Program of content, and list of honored guests. [Page 3]: Brief history of gospel music, and mini-biographies of Roberta Martin, Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Clara Ward. [Back cover page]: Faded background images same as front cover; center pictured are "Gospel singers commemorative stamps". "Photos by: Clouds: Grant Taylor / Tony Stone Images. Martin images: Collection of Dr. James Boyer. Jackson image: AP / Wilde World Photos. Ward image: Archive photos / Frank Driggs Collection. Tharpe image: Charles Peterson / Archive photos. Layout and Design by Pat Marshall Design, Inc. U.S. Postal Service, All Rights Reserved".; Page 2 reads: "Gospel singers commemorative stamps; First day of issue ceremony - Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship conference '98; Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans -- July 15, 1998. Prelude; Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship mass choir. Opening remarks; Philip E. Holland, Postmaster of New Orleans, Louisiana. Invocation; Bishop Carlos Malone, Executive secretary, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. Welcome; Honorable Marc H. Morial, Mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana. Bishop Paul S. Morton, International presiding Bishop, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. Remarks and introduction of special guests; Kirk Franklin, Gospel recording artist. Musical tributes to the stamp honorees; Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Vicki Winans, host of nationally syndicated gospel show "Singsation", selection: "Throw out the lifeline". Roberta Martin: The Barrett Sisters, gospel artists, selection: "I'll fly away". Clara Ward: Dr. Bobby Jones, host of BET's "Bobby Jones gospel hour", selection: "Packin' up". Mahalia Jackson: Joshua Nelson, gospel performer, selection: "Move on up a little higher". Remarks and introduction of the dedicating official; William J. Henderson, postmaster general, CEO, United States Postal Service. Dedication of the gospel singers stamps; Honorable LeGree Daniels, board of governors, United States Postal Service. Closing remarks and acknowledgements; Kirk Franklin".; description continues: "Honored guests: Associate of Sister Rosetta Tharpe: David Gough, President, Gospel music hall of fame. Family of Roberta Martin: Leonard Austin, Sandra Austin, Tara Austin. Family of Mahalia Jackson: Pearl Jackson, John A. Jackson, Jr., Bertha Reine, Doris A. Westrey, John Jackson III, Emanuel Duskin, Warren Smith, Rose Champagne. Family and friends of Clara Ward: Willa Ward, Rita Bell, Charolette Simms, Wilhelmina Washington, Toni Rose. Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship: Bishop Odis Floyd, second presiding bishop. Bishop Eddie L. Long, third presiding bishop. The Tiers of Leadership. U.S. Postal Service: Charles K. Kernan, vice president, area operations Southwest area. Anthony J. Ruda, district manager, customer service and sales, Louisiana district. Azeezaly S. Jaffer, executive diretor, stamp services".