TO THE HONORABLE BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE UNITED STATES POSTMASTER GENERAL, AND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

WHEREAS, The United States Postal Service handles 40 percent of the world's mail; and

WHEREAS, Revenue from first-class mail, amounting to $28.3 billion in fiscal year 2015, was the largest single component of the postal service's $68.8 billion operating revenue for the year; and

WHEREAS, On January 5, 2015, the United States Postal Service implemented reduced "service standards" that resulted in virtually eliminating overnight delivery of first-class mail and periodicals, and caused further delay of most other classes of mail; and

WHEREAS, Delayed mail negatively impacts businesses, hurts residents, communities, and the economy, and drives customers away, resulting in lower revenue and damaging the financial situation of the United States Postal Service; and

WHEREAS, By reducing "service standards," the United States Postal Service can proceed with its plans to close 82 mail processing facilities nationwide, seriously affecting thousands of employees, over 22 percent of whom are United States military veterans, many with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Three mail processing facilities, located in Redmond, Tacoma, and Wenatchee, are planned to be closed, negatively affecting mail processing and delivery times across the state; and

WHEREAS, Strong service standards for the processing and delivery of mail by the United States Postal Service are essential to providing prompt and timely delivery of the mail, including letters, legal documents, online purchases and packages, bill payments, medicines, local newspapers, newsletters, invitations, and mail-in ballots; and

WHEREAS, The United States Postal Service has the authority to reinstate overnight delivery standards to hasten mail delivery and prevent shutdowns of mail processing facilities;

NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray:

(1) That Congress protect United States mail service as a valuable and cherished public resource which is managed, operated, and directly accountable to the people of the United States;

(2) That Congress require the United States Postal Service to restore "service standards" in effect as of July 1, 2012, and place a moratorium on planned shutdowns of mail processing facilities, and further that Congress oppose any postal reform legislation that does not continue the mandate six-day delivery service of all mail or does not protect door-to-door delivery of all mail as it currently exists;

(3) That the Secretary of State of the state of Washington publicly oppose changes in the United States Postal Service that negatively impact the rights of Washington state voters who vote by mail-in ballot.

BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States, the United States Postmaster General, the Secretary of State of the state of Washington, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.

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