STAMFORD, Conn., June 22 -- Pitney Bowes Inc. applauded today's action by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in approving the Senate postal reform bill (S.662) by a vote of 15-1. "Today's markup of the Senate bill is an important step in Congress delivering comprehensive postal reform," said Michael J. Critelli, Chairman and CEO of Pitney Bowes. "This is great news for the American mailing public, the 9 million people employed in the U.S. mailing industry, and for the ability of the Postal Service to make mail a competitive communications medium in the 21st century. Pitney Bowes greatly appreciates the work of Committee Chairman Collins, Senator Carper, and Senators Lieberman, Stevens and others in moving this bill forward. Now we turn our attention to further consideration and action by the full Senate and House." Pitney Bowes has called for legislation that: * Clarifies that the mission of the Postal Service is to maintain universal physical mail service at affordable rates; * Enhances private sector partnerships for the most cost effective postal system; * Encourages the Postal Service to embrace technology; * Maintains price stability while increasing pricing flexibility; and * Improves the Postal Service's tools to manage its business and employees.