Press Release

BUCHANAN INTRODUCES DISABLED VETERANS COMMEMORATIVE STAMP RESOLUTION

Washington, DC -- Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-FL 13) has introduced bipartisan legislation to honor our nation’s veterans.  Buchanan introduced House Concurrent Resolution 176 (H. Con. Res. 176), expressing the sense of Congress that a commemorative postage stamp proposed by his constituent, Richard Lemm of Venice should be issued to honor our nation’s disabled veterans.   

“There are more than three million disabled veterans in our country,” said Buchanan.  “More disabled veterans are returning home each day from honorably defending our country.  These men and women have risked their lives and sacrificed their health in dedicated service to our country. A commemorative stamp would be a fitting tribute to our disabled veterans.”

The freshman lawmaker presented a copy of the resolution to Lemm who first proposed the stamp during a Memorial Day event attended by Buchanan in Venice.   

“I haven’t been in Congress for long – but I have been there long enough to know that not all the good ideas come from politicians in Washington, D.C.”, said Buchanan.  “I want to thank you for brining your idea to my attention.  It was an honor for me to draft this resolution on your behalf.”

Lemm is the 1st Vice President of the American Legion Post 159 where both the Memorial Day event and press conference were held.  

“For a long time, I have wanted to do something for the disabled veterans,” said Lemm.  “They have my greatest respect.  They not only served their country with honor; they paid the supreme sacrifice with a disability the rest of their lives.  We decided a stamp would pay honor to them.”

“Only in America can an idea, like my husbands, make it up to Washington,” said Lemm’s wife, Judy Lemm.  “We are the best country in the world – a small guy with an idea can make a difference.”

Buchanan introduced H. Con. Res. 176 with 74 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle.  The resolution is endorsed by Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, Military Order of the Purple Heart, the State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) as well as Lee Kichen of the VFW’s National Legislative Committee.

Kichen said, “The U.S. government has a moral obligation to ensure that our wounded warriors receive the appreciation due to them for their sacrifice and selfless service.  This appreciation should go beyond tangible measures such as disability compensation and healthcare.  Gratitude should also be symbolic and visible, such as your proposed commemorative stamp.”

The U.S. Postal Services (USPS) issues commemorative stamps to commemorate or celebrate individuals and events.  The USPS Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee reviews and appraises approximately 50,000 proposals submitted for commemoration each year.  The postmaster general has the exclusive and final authority to determine both subject matter and design.  In 2007, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will issue 99 different commemorative stamps. 

More than 1,800 commemorative stamps have been issued since the first in 1893.  There has never been a stamp to honor disabled veterans.  Typically, each commemorative stamp has a limited production run and is sold for only one year. Though usable as postage, commemorative stamps often are held by collectors and sold privately at auctions and through other means.