Burke eligible for honorary stamp

CAPE ELIZABETH — While the U.S. Postal Service has no tribute of its own in lined up for former Cape Cottage Branch Postmaster Annie Burke, who recently retired at age 94 after 66 years on the job, Northern New England District Spokesman Tom Rizzo reminds her supporters that the longstanding ban on depicting living people on postage stamps was lifted this past September.

           

“This would be a wonderful tribute to Annie, who has been a beloved community fixture for so many decades,” he said.

According to Rizzo, “almost all subjects chosen to appear on U.S. stamps are suggested by the public.”

“The U.S. Postal Service is proud of its role in portraying the American experience through the issuance of postage,” said Rizzo. “Every stamp suggestion is considered, regardless of who makes it or how it is presented.”

Four times each year, the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, meets in Washington, D.C. to consider the 50,000-plus design ideas posed annually by the public. This independent group passes on to the Postmaster General its recommendations for stamp subjects that “have stood the test of time, are consistent with public opinion and have broad national interest.”

Ideas for stamp subjects may be addressed to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, c/o Stamp Development, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW, Room 5670, Washington, D.C. 20260-2437.

“Subjects should be submitted at least three years in advance of the proposed date of issue to allow sufficient time for consideration and for design and production, if the subject is approved,” said Rizzo.