ALEXANDRIA, VA (November 6, 2002) — The Printing Industries of America welcomed the announcement by the Postal Service about the new analysis of its Civil Service Retirement System obligations. Read the announcement by the Postal Service as well as a fact sheet issued by the Postal Service. Ben Cooper, PIA’s Executive Vice President for Public Affairs said, “The change in the retirement obligation is critical because it will result in rate stability for the next four years. This may give the Postal Service and the U. S. printing industry the breathing room necessary to promote and grow direct mail and other printed products which travel through the mail.” With regard to the calls for postal reform, Cooper added, “We hope this reconsideration of the Postal Service pension obligation does not take the wind out of the sails for postal reform. Postal reform is critical for the survival of the Postal Service and the survival of a national mail distribution system is critical for the U. S. printing industry. We urge the President and the Congress to continue to focus on this important national issue.”