Technological advances whether in telecommunications or the postal service have raised the bar and brought us to the point where were are reviewing the postal service. Price caps, concern over the sanctity of our communication, and confusion over just which company provides what service at what cost are all aspects of telecommunication deregulation which we are grappling with some fourteen years after Ma Bell was broken up. That is hardly a scenario we would wish to emulate. Consequently, and against the backdrop of change and reform it is imperative that we allow the new Postmaster General, William Henderson the opportunity to work with the Congress in refining postal products and services. His vision and input will be important and may serve to restrict or lessen Congressional tampering as it relates to postal reform.
Today marks the first official bench marking of postal reform legislation.
For many, this document offically signals the beginning of debate on what kind of changes, if any, we should contemplate as we work to assist the postal service move into the 21st century. To that end, I look forward to a broad and open examination of the issues contained in this document and in comments received from a host of members of the postal community.