Campaign News
September 19, 2008
Campaign for State Resolutions in Washington and Oregon Takes Off
August and September have been busy months for the campaign. While the U.S. Postal Service remains undecided on the Japanese American (Nisei) WWII stamp proposal, campaigners have been busily working in the states of Washington and Oregon to show that there is ample support where they live. If you reside in these states, or have friends or family there, please pass the word.
Last week, we learned that Washington State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos (D-Seattle) will introduce a resolution to support the stamp this coming January. This week, we learned that Oregon State Representative Brian Clem (D-Salem) has already introduced a draft for a proposed state resolution for 2009. We applaud both legislators for their bold actions to help the campaign.
We are a volunteer, grassroots effort that relies on the actions of individuals wherever they are to do what they can to help. While the U.S. Postal Service sits on the fence, we can show that support for the stamp is strong nationwide. So far, resolutions have already passed unanimously in the state legislatures of Hawaii, California, and Illinois in January and February of this year. A related Arizona state resolution unanimously passed as well in 2007, supporting a series of stamps that would prominently include the Japanese American (Nisei) WWII veterans.
Some of the organizations in Washington and Oregon that are actively assisting so far include the Seattle JACL, Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee, and Portland JACL. If you are interested in helping immediately, we ask that you first contact one of these organizations. The legislation will be introduced in January 2009.
For other ways to help in the stamp campaign in general, like sending letters and petitions of support directly to the U.S. Postal Service, click on the "Get Involved" tab at the top of this web page for more information. You can also contact us at info@niseistamp.org. Thank you.
Take Action!
REMEMBER to sign the free, Online Petition to support the campaign.
Important Note: This internet petition is separate from the handwritten petitions, and we encourage you to sign both. The online petition allows you to leave comments. You can check out what other signers have written daily. Many give personal testimony in support of the stamp proposal (click on the "Signers" tab at the top of the petition to see them).
More questions?
Contact the campaign at (714) 534-5139