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For broadcast on CBS Radio Network stations 
December 1-2, 2001:


Back-room stamps.


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


Last year, Colorado Republican Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell 
introduced a bill for a stamp that would help raise funds to 
combat Domestic Violence. Nothing ever came of it.


Yet in the next three or four years, the Postal Service is 
going to have to issue such a semi-postal stamp for -- you 
guessed it -- Domestic Violence.


How come? Campbell inserted it into the conference report -- 
the compromise -- for an appropriations bill, along with a 
charity stamp for the Heroes of September 11th and an 
extension of the Breast Cancer Research semi-postal.


There were no hearings, no public testimony....just a 
back-room deal.


These are all worthy causes, to be sure....but how about OTHER 
worthy causes? Earlier this year, the Postal Service agreed to 
issue five more semi-postal stamps, and solicit suggestions 
from the public on what the charities would be.
 
Now Senator Campbell and his conference committee colleagues 
have shown Congress how they can push to the head of the line.


And that's stamp collecting this week. 

I'm Lloyd de Vries, CBS News.

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