Purpose: H.R. 1454 calls for the creation of new postal stamps depicting endangered species to be issued by the U.S. Postal Service. The proceeds will be directed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support the Multinational Species Conservation Funds.
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Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia.
Action: SUPPORT. Contact your U.S. Representative and urge him or her to support H.R. 1454. Tell your Representative that the sale of semi-postal stamps is a convenient and effective way for individuals to contribute to preservation of irreplaceable wildlife and their habitats.
Talking Points for your letter:
- H.R. 1454 calls for the creation of new postal stamps depicting endangered species to be issued by the U.S. Postal Service. The proceeds will be directed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support the Multinational Species Conservation Funds.
- Proceeds from these stamps would benefit a variety of species — including Asian Elephants, African Elephants, Great Apes, Marine Turtles, Tigers, and Rhinoceroses — through congressionally authorized programs of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- The stamp is modeled on the Breast Cancer Research stamp, which has raised almost $60 million through the sale of more than 800 million stamps for cancer research since 1998.
- Funds would be raised through the voluntary purchase of these stamps, priced slightly above a first class stamp.
- The Multinational Species Funds, to which the proceeds are directed, provide financing for projects that help wildlife and people. The funds help prevent climate change through habitat protection and contribute to local communities by providing employment and education.
- Congress has repeatedly recognized the need to protect these iconic species, including through the establishment of these five funds. While some funding has already been approved by Congress, an innovative fundraising method is needed to secure additional funds.
- The cost of designing, printing, and distributing new stamps will be covered completely by the premium that buyers pay in addition to the cost of first class mailing. This means that the fundraising is entirely voluntary and costs taxpayers nothing.