It’s the 239th birthday of the United States Post Office and the 100th birthday of the Berkeley Post Office! Please join in the celebration which will include a birthday cake, music, and a group photo. These festivities will be one of many events throughout the country commemorating National Postal Heritage Day.

What: Birthday Party for the Berkeley Post Office

Where: On the steps of the Main Post Office, 2000 Allston Way at Milvia, Berkeley CA

When: Saturday, July 26, 2014 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Contact: Hali Hammer, 1609 Woolsey Street,, Berkeley CA 94703, halih @ yahoo.com (510) 649-1423

Birthday Party for the Berkeley Post Office

PROCLAIMING JULY 26TH AS POSTAL HERITAGE DAY IN THE CITY OF BERKELEY

RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution recognizing the history of the Postal Service and the central role that Post Offices have served in communities and proclaiming July 26th as Postal Heritage Day in the City of Berkeley. Copies of the Resolution are to be sent to United States Postmaster Patrick R. Donahoe, USPS Pacific Facilities Service Vice President Diana K. Alvarado, the Berkeley Postmaster, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and United States Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.

The Berkeley City Council has recognized the importance of postal service, in general, and the Berkeley Main Post Office, specifically, by unanimously opposing USPS’ decision to sell our historic post office that is an official landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Jesse Arreguin, Council member, District 4
RESOLUTION NO. ##,###-N.S.

PROCLAIMING JULY 26TH AS POSTAL HERITAGE DAY IN THE CITY OF BERKELEY

WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service is a national treasure that traces its beginning to an act of the Second Continental Congress on July 26, 1775, which established the “United States Post Office” and named Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General; and

WHEREAS, since its inception, the United States Postal Service has served the fundamental role of binding the Nation together with its universal service and has been integral in much of America’s economic, social and cultural development; and

WHEREAS, by connecting all Americans, urban and rural, with prompt, reliable and efficient services, the United States Postal Service provides living-wage jobs to millions of Americans, jobs that have historically lifted families into the middle class, and especially helped lead to the emergence of an African-American middle class; and

WHEREAS, post offices play a central civic role in communities, which is reflected in the beautiful architecture of many historic post offices and the artistic works that many contain, including Works Project Administration commissioned art honoring labor; and

WHEREAS, such an example is the historic Berkeley Main Post Office, which was built in the Italian Renaissance-revival style, houses New Deal-era art, and anchors a civic center in the heart of Downtown; and

WHEREAS, the City of Berkeley highly values its cherished post offices and the valuable services provided, and has repeatedly stood with labor, preservationists, senior citizens and community groups to ensure the protection of these community assets.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Berkeley City Council that the Council hereby proclaims July 26th as Postal Heritage Day in the City of Berkeley in recognition of the United States Postal Service as an essential public asset that has served and continues to serve a vital role in the economic, civic and cultural enrichment of our communities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Berkeley continues to oppose any and all efforts to dismantle and diminish the United States Postal Service so that all communities can continue to enjoy the universal service that binds us together.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be sent to United States Postmaster Patrick R. Donahoe, USPS Pacific Facilities Service Vice President Diana K. Alvarado, the Berkeley Postmaster, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and United States Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.