Wednesday, July 8, 2026
USPS dedicates Declaration of Independence stamp
This release honors the nation’s ‘mission statement’
The Postal Service dedicated its Declaration of Independence stamp at the B. Free Franklin Post Office, part of Independence National Historical Park, in Philadelphia on July 4.
Adopted on July 4, 1776, the declaration announced the Colonies’ break from Great Britain with the bold assertion that government is a social contract based on the consent of the people it governs.
“The declaration has served as a mission statement for our nation that has inspired generations of Americans to do their part in fulfilling its promises for all,” said Lucy Trout, secretary to the USPS Board of Governors. “In the 250 years since ratification of that mission statement, the American people have been engaged in a perpetual and honorable battle to make good on that promise.”
Joining Trout for the ceremony were Will Elston, president of the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution; Susan Gillette Meer, Pennsylvania state regent for the Daughters of the American Revolution; and Lauren Gurniewicz, chief of interpretation and partnerships at Independence National Historical Park.
The stamp features the year “1776” arranged vertically against a deep blue background. Each numeral takes the shape of a feather quill pen, a nod to the instruments used to sign the original document.
Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using the work of typographer Juan Carlos Pagan.
The Forever stamp is available in sheets of 20 at Post Offices and at usps.com.
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Mail handler nabbed for workers’ comp fraud
He had claimed a shoulder injury, but was lifting weights and swimming
A former mail handler in Florida was recently sentenced to six years’ supervised release for workers’ compensation fraud.
The employee reported sustaining a shoulder strain while on the job in 2024, and his doctor deemed him disabled and unable to return to work. The Labor Department began issuing him tax-free monthly payments of $2,500.
The Postal Service Office of Inspector General, or OIG, received an allegation of workers’ compensation fraud. OIG special agents worked with the Department of Homeland Security and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Task Force to investigate the allegations.
Postal Service policy requires employees to report any physical improvements that would allow them to return to work, and they must report any outside income or employment.
The employee’s own social media posts, which showed him participating in gym workouts and swimming in the ocean, aided the investigators. He also posted about how he cycled 100 miles in one day.
Investigators also discovered that the employee had not reported earnings from his mobile detailing business, so they brought the case to the Florida State Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two days of time served, six years of supervised release and 150 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay back $45,000.
“If you commit this type of fraud, you will get caught, and you will lose your job and could end up with a criminal record,” USPS Inspector General Tammy Hull said.
The OIG recently highlighted the case on its website.
If you know of a USPS employee committing workers’ compensation fraud, report it to the OIG.
Milestones
Appointments, awards and retirements
Here’s a look at recent USPS leadership announcements
The Postal Service recently made the following managerial and supervisory announcements:
• Christina M. Balliro was named Philadelphia postmaster. She previously served as Delaware-Pennsylvania 2 District’s Post Office operations manager.
• Stefanie S. Cherry, business solutions network modeling director, was named pricing and cost strategy support acting director. Insights and Improvements Executive Manager Austin A. Raney was named business solutions network modeling acting director, and Business Solutions Analytics Manager Julie C. Ricks was named insights and improvements acting executive manager.
• De Priest G. Goudeau-Christon was named Memphis, TN, Processing and Distribution Center’s plant manager. He previously served as Santa Clarita, CA, distribution operations senior manager.
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Blog post goes under the hood
The latest entry on Postal Posts, the USPS blog, profiles one employee’s workday and spotlights the mechanics of the organization. James Rydeski, an automotive technician for the Postal Service, wrote the June 30 post.