PIA/GATF Hails Senate Passage of Historic Postal Reform Legisla

WASHINGTON, DC--February 9, 2006--The Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) today praised passage of postal reform and modernization legislation in the U.S. Senate. The bill (S. 662, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act) was a PIA/GATF "priority vote" and passed the Senate under Unanimous Consent.

"Senate passage of postal reform is a huge victory in the printing industry's long quest for a major legislative overhaul of this country's postal laws. Large corporations and small, family firms, along with printing employees, customers, and stakeholders, will benefit from this desperately needed modernization of the U.S. Postal Service," said Michael Makin, President and CEO of PIA/GATF.

"S. 662 takes steps to ensure that future postal rate hikes will be both more affordable and more predictable, allowing the printing industry to continue serving customers efficiently and successfully," Makin added

Today's Senate vote was over three decades in the making and is a product of years of debate, compromise and advocacy efforts by PIA/GATF and its allies in the "mailing economy--an economic sector that contributes nearly nine percent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product and employs nearly 9,000,000 workers.

About PIA/GATF

PIA/GATF is the world's largest graphic arts trade association representing an industry with more than 1.2 million employees. It serves the interests of more than 12,000 member companies. PIA/GATF, along with its affiliates, delivers products and services that enhance the growth, efficiency and profitability of its members and the industry through advocacy, education, research and technical information.