U.S. Postal Service Unveils Mendez v. Westminster Stamp to Mark Historic Court Case’s 60th Anniversary

What:
The U.S. Postal Service is marking the 60th anniversary of the landmark Mendez v. Westminster et. al. court decision with a new postage stamp, which will be unveiled at an Oct. 15 ceremony also honoring Hispanic Heritage Month.

Who:
Raul Castro, former Arizona governor and U.S. ambassador
Patricia White, Dean, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, ASU
Jess Lorona, attorney, Dodge Anderson, and ASU alumnus

When:
3 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 15, 2007

Where:
Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law (Armstrong Hall)
McAllister Avenue and Orange Street, Tempe

Background:
The Mendez v. Westminster et.al. desegregation ruling opened the door for equality in education for Mexican-American students in California — and ultimately for all students in the United States.

When their children and nephews were denied entry into a local school in 1943, Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez took up the cause of desegregating Orange County schools. The next year, with no success through meetings and attempted negotiations, they and four other families filed suit in U.S. District Court. They claimed that their children, along with 5,000 other children of “Mexican and Latin descent,” were victims of unconstitutional discrimination by being forced to attend separate “Mexican” schools in the Westminster, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and El Modena school districts.

“This stamp illustrates the importance of an equal opportunity for education for all Americans,” said USPS Arizona District Manager Lawrence K. James.

The unveiling event is open to the public. Along with the new stamps, a special postmark commemorating the ceremony will be available. The new Mendez v. Westminster stamps can be purchased at Post Offices throughout Arizona and online at usps.com.

Media contact:
Peter Hass, 602-223-3649
phass1@usps.com