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For broadcast on CBS Radio Network stations July 3-4, 2004:

Why not ME?!

The Stamp Collecting Report, I'm Lloyd de Vries. 

We saw it seven years ago when the Bugs Bunny stamp came out....and the recent Disney 
stamps are bound to start the cries again: "If the U-S can issue a stamp for Mickey 
Mouse, why not..." and fill in your favorite cause or person here.

A nation's postage-stamp program has many purposes: First and foremost is to present 
the country's best face to the world and its own people. It may also help specific 
causes, such as charities or health programs. And, of course, it doesn't hurt if it 
makes a little money for the postal service, too.

The U.S. postal service gets forty to fifty THOUSAND requests a year for stamp subjects, 
of which a few dozen are chosen. The committee that screens the requests has to come up 
with a stamp program that balances history, culture, causes...and, yes, merchandising.

While Disney stamps may at first appear to be all about sales, the characters HAVE become 
a part of American culture and accomplishment.

And that's Stamp Collecting this week. 

I'm Lloyd de Vries, CBS News. 

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