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In 1775, at the request of the Continental Congress, Benjamin Franklin organized a postal system for the colonies. Several years later, Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution expressly gave Congress the power “To establish Post Offices and Post Roads,” and a recent study by the Pew Research Center reveals that the U.S. Postal Service is the most respected of all federal agencies. However, the Service, which has been the subject of both unusual financial demands and significant operating constraints, is in a perilous financial condition, warning that it may run out of funds by September. This is occurring at a time when many states are emphasizing vote-by-mail provisions for the November elections, and neither the Administration nor Congress has seemed eager to provide relief.
Patrick Donahoe, a Pittsburgh native and University of Pittsburgh graduate, was a lifelong employee of the Postal Service, and served as the United States Postmaster General from 2010 until he retired in 2015. He will discuss the proud history of the Postal Service, possible solutions to its current problems and its ability to meet the needs of the country in the November election.
