Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) sent the following letter to Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe expressing serious concern over the potential closure of two United States Postal Service (USPS) mail processing centers in Broward County. (Please find below and attached a copy of the letter).
November 10, 2011
Mr. Patrick R. Donahoe
Postmaster General & CEO
United States Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20260-0010
Dear Mr. Donahoe,
I write to express my serious concerns regarding the potential closure of the Fort Lauderdale mail processing center, located in my Congressional district, as well as the Pembroke Pines facility.
As you know, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is exploring various measures in order to economize its operations and is conducting a study of approximately 250 processing facilities, which include the Fort Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines mail processing centers.
The Fort Lauderdale facility has been serving the South Florida community for over 38 years, while the Pembroke Pines mailing processing center has been in business for 20 years. Both of these centers provide critical services to many of my constituents, local businesses, and residents living in Broward County.
If these facilities are closed, well over 200 jobs are projected to be lost, which will adversely affect the entire community during these already difficult economic times.
Furthermore, the loss of these processing centers would end the century-old tradition of all mail posted in Broward County bearing the postmark, "mailed from Ft. Lauderdale."
I urge you reevaluate the wisdom behind this restructuring measure; preserve the quality of mail service; and, should closure prove to be unavoidable, ensure that all employees affected retain employment and benefits with the USPS.
Please know that I will continue to monitor this situation very closely, and ask to be kept informed of the overall progress of this matter. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Alcee L. Hastings
Member of Congress