The Postal Service was created as an independent establishment of the executive branch by the Postal Reorganization Act (39 U.S.C. 101 et seq.), approved August 12, 1970. The United States Postal Service commenced operations on July 1, 1971.

The Postal Service has approximately 753,000 employees and handles about 181 billion pieces of mail annually. The chief executive officer of the Postal Service, the Postmaster General, is appointed by the nine Governors of the Postal Service, who are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate for overlapping 9-year terms. The Governors and the Postmaster General appoint the Deputy Postmaster General, and these 11 people constitute the Board of Governors.

In addition to the national headquarters, there are area and district offices supervising approximately 39,000 post offices, branches, stations, and

community post offices throughout the United States.

Activities

In order to expand and improve service to the public, the Postal Service is engaged in customer cooperation activities, including the development of programs for both the general public and major customers. The Consumer Advocate, a postal ombudsman, represents the interest of the individual mail customer in matters involving the Postal Service by bringing complaints and suggestions to the attention of top postal management and solving the problems of individual customers. To provide postal services responsive to public needs, the Postal Service operates its own planning, research, engineering, real estate, and procurement programs specially adapted to postal requirements, and maintains close ties with international postal organizations.

Philatelic Sales Contact the Philatelic Fulfillment Service Center, Kansas City, MO 64179-1009. Phone, 800– STAMP24.

Publications Pamphlets on mailability, postage rates and fees, and many other topics may be obtained free of charge from the nearest post office.

Most postal regulations are contained in Postal Service manuals covering domestic mail, international mail, postal operations, administrative support, employee and labor relations, financial

management, and procurement. These manuals and other publications including the National Five-Digit ZIP Code and Post Office Directory (Publication 65) may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-0001. The National Five-Digit ZIP Code and Post Office Directory is also available through local post offices.

Reading Rooms Located on 11th Floor North, Library. Phone, 202-268-2900.