Norton Requests USPS Create Stamp to Commemorate Civil Rights Leader Bayard Rustin
WASHINGTON, D.C.—As black history is celebrated this month, the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released Norton's letter to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) requesting it recommend that USPS issue a commemorative stamp honoring civil rights leader Bayard Rustin. The committee has the authority to recommend USPS issue specific commemorative stamps.
"Bayard Rustin, whose leadership deserves special recognition by our country, was a key figure in the civil rights movement," Norton said. "Rustin masterminded the 1963 March on Washington, successfully showing that his lifelong adherence to the nonviolent struggle for equal rights could be put to use in real time with the largest demonstration in U.S. history at that time in the nation's capital. It is particularly fitting that we recognize Rustin during Black History Month."
The committee has the authority to recommend that USPS issue commemorative stamps, without additional legislation from Congress. However, Norton is pursuing a two-step approach to creating the stamp. She also will soon be introducing a bill that would require USPS to issue a stamp commemorating Rustin.
Norton's full letter is below:
Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee
U.S. Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza SW
Room 3300
Washington, DC 20260
Dear Members of the Committee:
I write to request that you issue a stamp commemorating the life of Bayard Rustin. I will be introducing a bill in Congress to require that this stamp be created. However, your Committee has the authority to recommend such a stamp be issued, and I request that you do so. It would be particularly fitting to begin this process in February in honor of Black History Month.
As you may know, Rustin was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. Rustin worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in developing and promoting nonviolent strategies in the struggle for equality. Perhaps most importantly, he was the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, D.C., a demonstration in which hundreds of thousands of people turned out in favor of expanded civil rights for African Americans, the largest demonstration ever held at the time.
Rustin also founded the A. Philip Randolph Institute for black trade union members and was a leader in the early LGBT rights movement.
I appreciate your considering this request. I am happy to provide any additional information that you may find helpful. I would appreciate your response about next steps and your process of consideration.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton