Letter To Jean Picker Firstenberg, Chairperson, Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee

Letter

Delaware Delegation Advocates Stamp Honoring Underground Railroad

Would Honor Two Local Station Masters: Thomas Garrett of Wilmington and William Still of Philadelphia

December 22, 2009

Today, Delaware's Congressional Delegation, Representative Mike Castle and Senators Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman sent a letter to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee at the United States Postal Service, requesting the consideration of a stamp in honor of two station masters of the Underground Railroad; Thomas Garrett of Wilmington, DE and William Still of Philadelphia, PA. The letter was sent on behalf of Robert Seeley, a direct descendent of Thomas Garrett, in support of the "Together for Freedom" stamp which honors the unique partnerships fostered throughout the course of the Underground Railroad.

Below is the text of the letter:

December 22, 2009

Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee
attn: Chairperson Jean Picker Firstenberg
U.S. Postal Service
1735 North Lynn St., Suite 5013
Arlington, VA 22209-6432

Dear Ms. Firstenberg:

On behalf of Mr. Robert Seeley, we are writing to express our support for his commemorative stamp proposal to honor two station masters of the Underground Railroad, William Still and Thomas Garrett. The proposed "Together for Freedom" stamp would highlight how the Underground Railroad was made possible by individuals from different backgrounds working together in the united goal of freedom for humankind.

The team of Thomas Garrett, from Wilmington, Delaware and William Still, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, embody the cooperation that made the Underground Railroad a success throughout the country. Working across racial, economic, religious and political boundaries, Garrett and Still moved freedom seekers from the border state of Delaware through the free state of Pennsylvania and into safe communities in other states and Canada.

Through letters and records kept by pen pals, Garrett and Still, we are able to steal a glimpse into the secret universe of the Underground Railroad and personal accounts of some of the thousands of fugitive slaves they assisted to freedom.

We can think of no better way to commemorate the upcoming anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation than to issue the "Together for Freedom" stamp.

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