Senate Resolution 16 - Introduced SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 16 BY BEALL , BOWMAN , DOTZLER , HANCOCK , KIBBIE , and SCHOENJAHN A Resolution calling for a moratorium on the closing of 1 United States Postal Service offices in Iowa. 2 WHEREAS, in its most recent fiscal year, the United 3 States Postal Service sustained the largest net 4 operating loss in its history, and in response has 5 begun the process of closing up to 2,000 local post 6 offices; and 7 WHEREAS, in Iowa some 70 post offices are in the 8 process or under threat of closing; and 9 WHEREAS, the closings of the offices will have 10 a devastating impact on the communities which they 11 serve; and 12 WHEREAS, there is significant question whether the 13 cost of providing service to rural Iowa is a primary 14 factor in the operating loss; and 15 WHEREAS, before an office is closed it is 16 essential to determine not only the savings to the 17 Postal Service, but also the impact on the local 18 community; and 19 WHEREAS, the loss of a post office not only hinders 20 the economic development of a community, but also 21 threatens the health, safety, and welfare of its 22 residents by causing additional delays in the delivery 23 of vital medications; NOW THEREFORE, 24 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate 25 respectfully requests that the United States Congress 26 place a moratorium on the closing of post office 27 -1- LSB 2832SS (2) 84 jr/rj 1/ 2

S.R. 16 locations in Iowa and requests that Congress establish 1 a blue ribbon panel to investigate the causes of the 2 Postal Service operating losses, the role played by 3 local offices in creating these losses, the actual cost 4 to the Postal Service in maintaining these offices, 5 and the impact on the communities if a local office is 6 closed; and 7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of 8 the Senate is directed to distribute copies of this 9 resolution to the Iowa congressional delegation. 10 -2- LSB 2832SS (2) 84 jr/rj 2/ 2