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Statement by Chairman Stephen F. Lynch on the Retirement of John E. Potter, 72nd Postmaster General of the United States Postal Service PDF Print

Release Date: October 26, 2010

 

After 32 years of service with the United States Postal Service (USPS), Postmaster General John E. Potter announced on yesterday his intent to retire in the coming months.  John Potter was named 72nd Postmaster General of the United States of America on June 1, 2001 and currently stands as the longest serving Postmaster General in nearly two centuries. 

 

In his tenure as Postmaster General (PMG), Potter displayed exemplary skill in helping to navigate the Postal Service through times of economic growth as well as through its recent financial challenges resulting from record mail volume declines.  As CEO of the USPS which serves as the cornerstone of a $1.2 trillion mailing industry; employing over 600,000 people and providing delivery services, six-days a week to nearly 150 million addresses, PMG Potter’s list of accomplishments include managing the Postal Service during the anthrax terrorist attack following 9/11, eliminating more than $20 billion in costs during the last 10 years, with cumulative savings of more than $50 billion; improving on-time delivery of First-Class Mail to record-high levels and developing a longer term blueprint that could potentially create a more viable business model for the Postal Service in the future.

 

On a personal note, as the son of a postal clerk and the brother and of many postal workers, I thank Jack for his admirable service to the Postal Service and to our country.  During tremendously challenging times, Jack Potter tried his best to initiate needed changes and cut costs for postal customers while treating the clerks, letter carriers, mailhandlers and supervisors with the respect and dignity they deserve. As the USPS continues to grapple with daunting challenges, I am sure that we will miss his leadership and professionalism, which I found to be of great assistance to me in my capacity as Chairman of the House Postal Service Oversight Subcommittee.  I wish him every success in his future endeavors.

 

Further, I look forward to building a constructive working relationship with Patrick R. Donahoe, USPS’ current Deputy Postmaster General and Chief Operating Officer, who can also draw on decades of service at the Postal Service to succeed PMG Potter.  

 

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Committee On Oversight and Government Reform

U.S. House of Representatives | 2157 Rayburn House Office Building | Washington, D.C. 20515 | (202) 225-5051