WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Leaders of the nation's $900 billion mailing industry today enthusiastically applauded the report released by the President's Commission on the U.S. Postal Service. The recommendations will ensure the continued viability and growth of the $900 billion mailing industry and its 9 million workers. If implemented, the mailing industry, which now accounts for nearly 9 percent of the US GDP, can be a significant growth engine for the US economy well into the future. "The report is a set of cohesive and innovative recommendations that provides a strong framework to ensure a successful 21st century Postal Service and postal system for all Americans," said Michael J. Critelli, Chairman of the Mailing Industry CEO Council and Chairman and CEO of Pitney Bowes. "We are deeply grateful to President Bush for creating an expert Commission to examine the future of the U.S. Postal Service and the American postal system. We sincerely appreciate the months of hard work the Commissioners devoted to developing a blueprint for the future. They have done the country a tremendous service by thoroughly reviewing the challenges facing the Postal Service and recommending workable solutions to create a more efficient, cost-effective, and secure Postal Service for years to come. We now hope that the Administration and Congress will take timely action to put these critical recommendations into effect." The Commission agreed with the CEO Council that U.S. mail is critical to commerce and that universal access and delivery should be maintained at affordable prices. The CEO Council pointed out that price stability and pricing flexibility are critical elements of any reform proposal. The Commission agreed, for non-competitive products, rate increases should be low and infrequent by employing incentive-based rates and utilizing Negotiated Service Agreements, while expanding access to discounted rates beyond large businesses and providing universal service at affordable rates for all Americans. The Commission also agreed with the CEO Council that private sector partnerships, work sharing and outsourcing produce the most cost-effective postal system and that USPS-industry collaboration should be maximized to drive innovation and to benefit all users of mail services. The Mailing Industry CEO Council was created as a result of the recommendations in the original Mailing Industry Task Force report. The Council, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to unifying the mailing industry in support of reform efforts and promoting public understanding of the critical role that mail plays in business and commerce. Its members are leaders of a cross-section of companies that depend on the postal system for much of their business. In addition to working to improve public policy with respect to the mailing system, the Council will seek to establish industry standards that foster industry growth and improve the mailing channel.