Akaka speaks to The National Association of Postal Supervisors

Press Release

Akaka speaks to The National Association of Postal Supervisors

Statement of Senator Daniel K. Akaka

Aloha.

Thank you Ted Keating for that kind introduction. I also want to extend my appreciation to your vice president, Louis Atkins, and your legislative director, Bruce Moyer . The four of us enjoy a warm and personal relationship. I want to thank them, and I want to thank you, the members of the National Association of Postal Supervisors (NAPS), for your steadfast support of my work on Capitol Hill.

I am especially pleased that Laurie Ramelb, the NAPS Hawaii state legislative chair, and Chuck Lum, the President of Branch 214 in Honolulu, are with us today as well.

So much has happened since I spoke to you last April when we kicked off your 2006 legislative rally. The Democrats now control both the House and Senate - and the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act is law!

Throughout the debate over postal reform, I was pleased, as chairman of the postal subcommittee a few years ago, and now as chairman of the federal workforce subcommittee, to defend your rights and your benefits as we moved through modernization efforts.

While I supported the overall bill enacted into law, I voiced serious concern over one provision that changed the way postal employees are treated under the federal workers' compensation law. You can be sure that I will closely monitor how this change impacts postal employees.

As I look around the room this morning, I know that when it comes to the management and operation of the U.S. Postal Service, no one knows better than supervisors why the enactment of postal reform is so important to your jobs and to the vitality of the Postal Service. NAPS was the first postal employee organization to support reform because you and your leadership understood the challenges facing the USPS. I want to thank you for your efforts in educating Members of Congress on the need to pass legislation that will provide a more modern rate making process while protecting your pay and benefits. You helped build the consensus that the Nation and her citizens benefit from universal service at affordable prices.

The postal reform bill is now law, but there's still more to do, including making sure that when appropriate the views of NAPS are made known to the regulators and the Postal Service. And of course, your job in educating Congress is far from over. There are new opportunities to advance legislation that is important to you and to your families.

One of NAPS' primary advocacy efforts is protecting the federal employment rights of military veterans. As chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and as a veteran myself, I understand how important it is for the federal government to honor its commitment to our Nation's veterans. Those who have served their country deserve timely benefits and quality medical care. I can assure you that we are looking closely at these issues. We are also keeping a close watch on any abuses of veterans preference.

I know you also want to improve the tax treatment of health insurance for postal, federal, and military retirees. I am proud to cosponsor Senator Warner's bill, S. 773, which extends premium conversion to all federal retirees, including postal retirees. This may be a bit of a battle since any changes must be made to the tax code so it's important to work with all Members of Congress on this priority.

I also strongly support your goal of making sure that public employees, including federal workers and postal employees, or their spouses, are able to keep more of what they earn by ending the unfair treatment retirees get when it comes to Social Security. That's why I'm a cosponsor of S. 206, legislation that eliminates the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision.

As chairman of the federal workforce subcommittee, you can be assured that I support your efforts in these areas, and I will work with my colleagues to move these bills forward.

In closing, let me once again thank you for your dedication and commitment in getting the mail to its destinition. You understand that for so many Americans, the U.S. Postal Service is their only contact with the federal government. You are a part of that proud tradition that brings together the country through the delivery of the U.S. Mail whether the addresses are in island states, small towns, rural areas, cities, or growing suburbs

I wish all of you well as you visit your Members of Congress. And again, I thank Ted and Louis for their fine leadership and for their friendship.

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