Department Of Homeland Security Announces Proposed Rule For 9/11 Heroes Stamp
Release Date: July 26, 2005
Release Number: HQ-05-158
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today published its proposed rule for the 9/11 Heroes Stamp Act in the Federal Register, officially inviting 30 days of public comment. When final, the rule establishes how the department will distribute the $10.5 million raised through the U.S.Postal Service (USPS) sale of semipostal stamps to the families of emergency relief personnel killed or permanently disabled while serving in the line of duty in connection with the terrorist attacks of Sep. 11, 2001.
"Many federal entities have worked together to ensure these families receive this critical support as a gesture of America's gratitude for their sacrifice on that September day when we were so tragically attacked," said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. "As President Bush has said so many times, we will forever remember these first responders and their selfless courage."
The Heroes Stamp Act (Public Law 107-67, section 652, 115 U.S. Statutes at Large 514 (2001)), passed by Congress and signed by President Bush, directed the USPS to issue a semipostal stamp and distribute the proceeds through FEMA to the families of emergency relief personnel killed or permanently disabled on 9/11. After allowing 30 days for public comment on the proposed rule, FEMA will review the comments and publish a Federal Register Notice to announce the opening of the application period. FEMA's U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) was charged with the development of the rule as well as with administration of the program.
"FEMA and the USFA have a long-standing commitment to first responders, and that commitment will be reflected in our management of this program," said R. David Paulison, U.S. Fire Administrator.
A semipostal stamp is sold for a value greater than that of a regular first class stamp. The proceeds from the price differential fund the grants provided for in the Act, after appropriate deduction for reasonable costs of producing and distributing the semipostal stamps. The USPS issued the Heroes semipostal stamp in June 2002 and discontinued selling the stamp on Dec. 31, 2004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON PUBLIC COMMENT CONTACT: Heroes Stamp, 500 C Street, SW., Room 840, Washington, DC 20472, or e-mail FEMA-HeroesStamp@dhs.gov. A copy of the interim final rule may also be viewed at www.usfa.fema.gov and is available for download.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 26-Jul-2005 08:40:19