June 15, 1972
Page 21139
Mr. MIKVA. Mr. Chairman, as of June 30 the Postal Service will be discontinuing the postal academy program. The Department of Labor has offered to provide $1.3 million to keep the program alive through the summer, but if continued funding is not found by that time, this
important and highly successful program will be lost.
For 2 years the postal academy program has been a source of hope for inner city dropouts. High school dropouts across the country are recruited for the program, which provides remedial education leading to a high school equivalency degree and promises an opportunity for employment in the Postal Service.
In May 1970, the Postal Academy Program first opened its doors to an initial group of 250 students in sites in five cities – Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. located in a variety of renovated community buildings in the urban centers. Each of the academies recruited an initial group of fifty high school dropouts, aged 16-22, under the direction of a local community oriented Director.
In the two years since then, the PAP added two new academies in the existing cities and opened a new academy in Newark. The enrollment has grown to 1,275 and the academies are showing the first fruits of success. As of January 1972, scarcely one and one-half years after opening, the Postal Academy Program has recorded 58 students who are in college, 95 students who have received their high school equivalency diplomas, 103 students who entered full time employment, 16 students who entered the armed services, and 57 students who returned to the public schools. In November 1971, the Department of Labor conducted an extensive evaluation and had high praise for the quality of the staff and of the educational program and of the enthusiasm of the students.
The success of the postal academy program has been due in no small measure to the personal interest shown by former Postmaster General Winton Blount. The Postal Service has provided 10 percent of the funding, and most important, has made a commitment to provide job opportunities at the end of the line. However, things have not been so rosy since Postmaster Blount's departure.
The new management at the Postal Service is decidedly less sympathetic to the program, and has cut back on the number and caliber of jobs available to Postal Academy participants. By now it is clear that the Postal Academy will have to find a new home or close its doors.
The logical place to continue the program is HEW or the Department of Labor, or some combination of the two. Throughout the program's history, HEW and Labor have provided 90 percent of the funding. Recently, the postal academy program was evaluated by the Department of Labor. Their report praised the success of the program and recommended its continuation. It further recommended that the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare be assigned responsibility for the education aspects of the program, and the Department of Labor take over the manpower function.
With all the millions of dollars we spend seeking answers to the desperate problems of unemployment, poverty, and crime in our Nation's cities, it would be foolish to abandon a program which has been so singularly successful. I would urge that efforts be undertaken by HEW and the Department of Labor to insure the continuation of the postal academy program. A number of our colleagues in the House as well as in the other body have expressed similar concerns; a sampling of their letters in support of the program follows:
MAY 17, 1972.
Mr. ELMER T. KLASSEN,
Postmaster General,
U.S. Postal Service, Washington, D.C.
DEAR POSTMASTER GENERAL KLASSEN: It has come to my attention that the Postal Academy Program which has served high school dropouts in six of our larger cities is being forced to close down due to lack of further funds.
The program has appeared to be a successful one in helping our young people stay in school. Since your department has been among the organizations which have supported this program, I would urge that you give your consideration to the need of establishing some type of formal funding arrangements to allow this program to continue.
Thank you for any consideration you may give.
Sincerely, EDMUND S. MUSKIE, U.S. Senator.
MAY 22, 1972.
The PRESIDENT,
The White House, Washington, D.C.
DEAR Mr. PRESIDENT: I was disheartened to learn that the United States Postal Service has decided to discontinue its sponsorship of the Postal Academy Program – one which both you and Mrs. Nixon have commended for its record of achievement in giving new skills and new hope to disadvantaged young people who have neither. I ask you to give this matter your personal attention and to help save the best chance 1300 young persons have to improve their prospects for a brighter future.
The decision to terminate the Postal Academy Program was based neither on the failure of the Program to demonstrate its achievements nor on a lack of available federal funds.
The Educational Testing Service, evaluations by the Department of Labor, and observations by the Office of Education and Postal Service have all cited the Program for its accomplishments. A surprising number of the participants have entered college, received high school equivalency diplomas, or returned to public schools. The Educational Testing Service has said that the average student entering the Program improves his functional ability by about one academic year during the first four months.
On February 7, 1972, the Office of Management and Budget indicated that it had sufficient funds to continue the $4 million program for Fiscal Year 1973 and that, pending the accomplishment of three program adjustments, the Departments involved should confirm Program continuation. It appears that qualitative requirements have been met, yet the Postal Service's response has been to withdraw its vital support at a critical time.
If the Postal Service insists on terminating the Postal Academy Program, then I urge you to provide a sponsor which will serve as a suitable alternative to keep open the centers in Chicago, Detroit, Newark, Atlanta, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
Time is of the essence. If these programs do not receive a reprieve in the very near future, they will have to begin terminating leases and contracts which will make it impossible to reinstate the projects. Failure to continue these programs will also contribute to the further alienation of the Program participants, who have already been among society's outcast.
I look forward to hearing from you soon about your actions on behalf of the Postal Academy Program.
Respectfully,
ADLAI E. STEVENSON III.
MAY 25, 1972.
Hon. E. T. KLASSEN,
Postmaster General, U.S. Postal Service,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. POSTMASTER GENERAL: It was with dismay that I learned the U.S. Postal Service has withdrawn its support of the Postal Academy Program effective June 30, 1972. Although lack of funds was cited as the reason for this action, the Office of Management and Budget announced on February 7, 1972 that the $4 million cost of the program could be met in Fiscal Year 1973.
The Postal Academy Program has helped many young people through their "storefront academies" in the short two years it has been in operation. Compliments have come to it from public and private sources. Most importantly, scores of young people who seemed doomed to lives of poverty, ignorance and degradation have been given a hand toward something better. Surely, no effort is too great in behalf of such a goal.
The program has been under the auspices of the Postal Service although jointly funded by the Department of Labor and the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Such a division is obviously not in the best interests of the program and no one would quarrel with the Postal Service's contention that the academies have nothing to do with the mail. At the same time, it seems appropriate, and fair, that the program be continued – as approved by OMB – through Fiscal Year 1973 under the existing arrangement. During that period of time, a permanent home for the academies can be found.
I would appreciate your thoughts on this matter and urge that every consideration be given to continuation of this exemplary program.
Sincerely,
MARK O. HATFIELD, U.S. Senator.
MAY 19, 1972.
The Honorable E. T. KLASSEN,
Postmaster General, Washington, D.C.
DEAR MR. KLASSEN: I have recently been informed that a decision has been reached to terminate funding of the Postal Academy Program.
In a recent mailgram received by Mr. Jim Hill, Director, Postal Academy Training Institute, the U.S. Postal Service asserted that "funds are not available", hence termination of the program.
However, in a memorandum for Malcolm Lowell, Jr., Assistant Secretary for the Manpower Administration, Department of Labor, from Paul O'Neill, Assistant Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Management and Budget insists that funds are available, and that plans were underway to continue the Postal Academy Program.
According to the O.M.B. memorandum, "to confirm the details of Postal Academy continuation funding in Fiscal Year 1973 was to total $3.9 million; $2.1 million administered by H.E.W. appropriated to the Department of Labor as institutional training funds, $1.4 million administered by the Department of Labor, and $.4 million matching funds from Post Office sources. In addition, it is documented that "the location of the Postal Academy Program within the Postal Service shall continue in Fiscal Year 1973".
I would also like to call to your attention, the "Evaluation Study of the Postal Academy Program" conducted by the Division of Program Evaluation, Manpower Administration, Department of Labor, which strongly indicates the Postal Academy Program to be worthy of continued funding.
As you know, the Academy Program takes inner-city dropouts off the streets and trains and educates them in "storefront academies", allowing the individual to eventually achieve equivalency degrees that would not otherwise be possible. The Manpower Administration's report describes the “real pride, hope, positive attitudes, feelings of accomplishment, and the air of exuberance" of these underprivileged young people who are given one final hope for a decent life from the Postal Academy.
You can be certain that I strongly support the goals and aspirations of the Postal Academy Program and those devoted teachers who have interrupted their professional careers to teach the poor. I strongly urge you to review this program again, and reconsider it for funding. I truly hope that our priorities have not become so confused that we are not willing to expend every effort to educate our young, and to support workable and productive programs such as the Postal Academy Program. We cannot afford to deny the disadvantaged youth of our inner city that one final opportunity to receive a decent education. It is for these young people that I strongly urge you to review this decision, and to fund the Postal Academy Program without delay.
I await your comments.
With best wishes, Sincerely,
HARRISON A. WILLIAMS, Jr.
MAY 17, 1972.
The Honorable ELMER T. KLASSEN,
Postmaster General, U.S. Postal Service, Washington, D.C.
DEAR Mr. POSTMASTER GENERAL: I have been informed that the Postal Academy Program will be closed at the end of Fiscal Year 1972. As you know, one of the most successful installations of the Program is located in San Francisco and I am, therefore, very much concerned about the possible loss of the very real and substantial benefits of the program.
Since the inception of the program, the San Francisco academies have serviced 467 students and their families. At the present time, 200 students are enrolled in San Francisco. A member of my San Francisco District Office staff, who is trained and experienced in social work, has visited the installations and observed the training. She informs me that the entire program impressed her as being one of the most practical, realistic and beneficial rehabilitation and training programs for young people she has ever observed.
I realize that the Program has been jointly financed by the Departments of Labor, Health, Education and Welfare, and the U.S. Postal Service, and I am making a similar request to Secretaries Richardson and Hodgson. The continuation of a proven program which provides basic educational skills to high school dropouts at a low cost, and prepares them to pass the General Education Diploma examination, depends upon the decision made by you gentlemen. Certainly the social and personal benefits of the Program far exceed the monetary costs. Your favorable consideration is anticipated.
I will appreciate being kept informed about the status of this matter.
Sincerely,
PHILLIP BURTON, Member of Congress.
MAY 30, 1972. Mr. JOHN D. EHRLICHMAN,
Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs,
Washington, D.C.
DEAR Mr. EHRLICHMAN: I have learned of the plans of the United States Postal Service to close the Postal Academy Program. I am greatly concerned about this for several reasons.
First, because of the success of the program. The Educational Testing Service evaluation indicates that the student high school dropouts, advanced one and one half grade levels in a four month period.
Further, a report by the Department of Labor, DSO Report No. 18, evaluation study of the Postal Academy Program, states: "if there is any one observation that graphically stands out after observing and talking with a number of students at the various academy projects, it is the 'air of exuberance' at these store-front schools. There seems to be a real pride, hope, positive attitudes, feelings of accomplishments, and the kind of aspirations that one would hardly expect to find among a group of inner-city dropouts,"
Secondly, a memorandum from Mr. Paul H. O'Neill, Assistant Director, Office of Management and Budget dated February 7, 1972 indicates that the Postal Academy was to continue for FY 1973. If this is so, why did the U.S. Postal Service announce that it would terminate its sponsorship.
May I suggest that the money the Office of Management and Budget stated was available in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and in the Department of Labor committed to the continuation of the Postal Academy be made available to the Academy now and that another Department, perhaps, the Department of Labor, be responsible for the continuation of the Program.
I strongly endorse the objectives of the program, and I believe that a program that is meeting the educational and job needs of so many individuals should be continued.
Please inform me what plans the Administration has to continue this program. With every best wish.
Sincerely,
RALPH H. METCALFE, Member of Congress.
MAY 23, 1972.
Hon. JOSEPH A. MATUKONIS,
Congressional Liaison Officer,
U.S. Postal Service, Washington, D.C.
DEAR Mr. MATUKONIS: My attention has been drawn quite recently to the unhappy prospect of the demise of the Postal Academy Program.
From the materials made available to me, it would appear that the Academy Program has been quite successful in motivating youngsters to consider the Postal Service as a career. Although the Academy Program situated in Newark, New Jersey, is not in my Congressional District, I do hope you will permit me this opportunity to urge that the decision to phase out the Program be reconsidered.
Thank you for your serious consideration and thoughtful attention to this matter. Cordially,
FRANK THOMPSON, Jr.
MAY 31, 1972.
Hon. JAMES D. HODGSON,
Secretary, Department of Labor,
Washington, D.C.
DEAR Mr. SECRETARY: I am deeply disturbed at reports that the Postal Academy program will be terminated as of June 30, 1972. The Postal Academy is the type of innovative approach to solving educational problems our government should be encouraging, not terminating at this time. I hope very much that you will prevail upon the Post Office to continue to run the Academy program, or, if the Post Office is unwilling to run it, that HEW will continue the program directly, with the present funding arrangements continued. Clearly, HEW has such authority, since it has been funding the major share of the program since its inception, and the original FY 1973 budget provided for a continuation of present funding.
With best wishes. Sincerely,
JACOB K. JAVITS.
U.S. SENATE, OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER,
Washington, D.C.,
June 6, 1972.
THE PRESIDENT,
The White House, Washington, D.C.
DEAR Mr. PRESIDENT: As you know, when Red Blount was Postmaster General he launched a postal academy program to help train inner city youth which has proved quite successful in Detroit and 5 other cities.
Now, in view of the Post Office Department reorganization, it appears that the academy program is about to "fall between the cracks" of government.
I wish to urge the White House to consider convening a meeting of Labor, HEW, and Post Office Department representatives to determine how the postal academy program could be continued
Enclosed is a copy of a self-explanatory letter I have just received from the Honorable Romon S. Gribbs, Mayor of the City of Detroit.
With best wishes and my kind regards, I am Sincerely,
ROBERT P. GRIFFIN,
U.S. Senator.
WASHINGTON, D.C.,
May 19, 1972.
Hon. ELMER T. KLASSEN,
Postmaster General,
U.S. Postal Service, Washington, D.C.
DEAR GENERAL: I have received a letter from Mr. Darnley M. Osborne, Jr., Assistant Director, Postal Academy Program, who informs me that it is the intention of the Postal Service to close down the program as of June 30, 1972.
This is regrettable because I believe the program has been a success and that we need more successful programs rather than instituting new ones at some future time which may not succeed.
I first became acquainted with the Postal Academy Program when Mr. Houseman was Assistant Director of Personnel.
I would like to add my support to that of others who protest the intended closing down of this program. I would like a report on this matter as soon as possible from your office.
Sincerely,
ROBERT N. C. NIX, Chairman.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Atlanta, Ga.
May 22,1972. DEAR Mr. OSBORNE : I am writing to express my regret at the impending closure of schools operated under the Postal Academy Program.
The schools have been an undeniable asset to this community. permitting thousands of inner city young people to further their education.
I hope the decision can be reversed, and this worthwhile and successful program can be continued.
It seems a shame, when so many government supported educational efforts fail to accomplish their purpose, that a proven effort must be halted.
I stand ready to offer any assistance I can to help keep the Postal Academies functioning.
Sincerely,
JULIAN BOND.