ENROLLED HOUSE
CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION NO. 1039	By:	Scott of the House

				and

		Eason McIntyre of the Senate

A Concurrent Resolution recognizing the importance of the post office system; expressing support for the enactment of the Access to Postal Services Act; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, the Postal Service has specific power under 39 U.S.C., Section 404(a)(3) to determine the need for post offices, postal and training facilities and equipment as it determines are needed; and

WHEREAS, 39 U.S.C., Section 404(d)(1) requires the Postal Service to follow a formal procedure for closing or consolidating post offices; and

WHEREAS, there is no legal requirement for the Postal Service to follow this procedure when closing or consolidating classified stations and branches; and

WHEREAS, the Postal Service is required to provide types of mail service to meet the needs of different categories of mail and mail users; and

WHEREAS, in establishing and maintaining postal facilities of such character and in such locations, the postal patrons throughout the nation will, consistent with reasonable economies of postal operations, have ready access to essential postal services; and

WHEREAS, in providing services under Title 39, the Postal Service shall not, except as specifically authorized under Title 39, make any undue or unreasonable discrimination among users of the mails; and

WHEREAS, the Postal Service is required under 39 U.S.C., Section 101(b) to provide a maximum degree of effective and regular postal services to rural areas, communities and small towns where post offices are not self-sustaining; and

WHEREAS, there is no instrument in place to prevent the Postal Service from making decisions when closing or consolidating a classified station or branch, not in accordance with the law or unsupported by substantial evidence on the record; and

WHEREAS, the Postal Service’s decisions and actions when closing or consolidating classified stations and branches have effectively resulted in denying residents of urban and rural communities access to necessary postal services.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 52ND OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN:

THAT the State of Oklahoma recognizes the importance of our post office system.

THAT the State of Oklahoma hereby fully supports immediate passage and enactment of HR 658, known as the “Access to Postal Services Act”.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate of each state’s legislature of the United States of America, and each member of the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation.

Adopted by the House of Representatives the 12th day of May, 2009.

	
Presiding Officer of the House of
	Representatives

Adopted by the Senate the 14th day of May, 2009.

	
Presiding Officer of the Senate