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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
URGING CONGRESS TO APPROVE THE PROTECT OUR LETTER CARRIERS ACT (H.R. 7629)
WHEREAS, earlier this month, postal worker Octavia Redmond lost her life after being shot while working on her route in the West Pullman area of Chicago. According to media reports, the killer may have trailed Redmond before attacking her. Redmond had delivered mail along the block where she was shot for around two years; and
WHEREAS, there has been growing concern about an increase in crimes against postal workers. The number of postal carriers robbed in 2023 rose from the previous year and the number of injuries nearly doubled, despite USPS pledging a crackdown. Since 2020, there have been more than 2,000 attempted or actual robberies and assaults against postal workers nationwide; and
WHEREAS, in March of this year, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Greg Landsman (OH-1) introduced the Protect our Letter Carriers Act (H.R. 7629), a bipartisan legislation that addresses the rise of violent crime committed against letter carriers as they carry out their duties; and
WHEREAS, if approved, the bill would: address the outdated collection boxes and arrow keys, which letter carriers are often targeted for in robberies; ensure that the Department of Justice appropriately prosecutes crimes committed against letter carriers through designating an assistant in every U.S. Attorney’s office to coordinate and supervise the investigation and prosecution of alleged offenses committed against letter carriers; and amend sentencing guidelines so that any assault or robbery committed against a letter carrier has a more severe sentence recommendation; and
WHEREAS, the approval of H.R. 7629 will play a meaningful role in hardening targets like mailboxes and electronic arrow keys, protecting our letter carriers and strengthening public safety; and
WHEREAS, our nation’s letter carriers work hard around the clock, rain or shine, dutifully delivering medications, checks, ballots, packages, and other essential mail that all Americans depend on.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby urge Congress to move swiftly to approve the Protect our Letter Carriers Act (H.R. 7629) to enhance our postal workers safety; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby direct the Cook County Clerk to transmit a copy of this resolution to Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Greg Landsman (OH-1), sponsors of the measure; the Illinois’ Congressional delegation; the House Speaker and Minority Leader; the Senate Majority Leader and Minority Leader; and the White House.
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