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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2007

Contact: Freda Sauter
Ph: (410) 347-4322
Email: freda.g.sauter@usps.gov
Website: www.usps

Ella Fitzgerald Stamp to be dedicated at University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Eastern Shore, MD — “The First Lady of Song” Ella Fitzgerald, the most popular jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century, will be the subject of a unique tribute at University of Maryland Eastern Shore, when the new commemorative postage stamp bearing her image will be dedicated there on Saturday, February 24, beginning 3:00 p.m. The program will be held in the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.

Ella Fitzgerald, artist, vocalist, Grammy award winner, is the 30th honoree in the U.S. Postal Service Black Heritage commemorative stamp series. The stamp is available at Post Offices nationwide and online at www.usps.com.

“The Postal Service proudly celebrates the life and legacy of Ella Fitzgerald,” said Janet Wood, Princess Anne Postmaster. “Her extraordinary vocal range and flexibility, combined with her gift for pitch, rhythmic sense and flawless diction, made her one of America’s most distinctive singers of jazz and popular tunes.”

Joining Wood at this event are Dr. Thelma B. Thompson, President of University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Ernie Satchell, Director of Fine Arts, Walter W. Woods, Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs and Kimberly Conway Dumpson, Esquire Director of Alumni Affairs and Planned Giving. The dedication ceremony will occur at half-time of the women’s basketball game. The USPS will host a booth at the event and will be selling Ella Fitzgerald stamp. Visitors attending the event can also obtain a special cancellation and cachet envelope. The office of Alumni Affairs will also have a booth, with information supporting the University’s $14 million Campaign for Academic Excellence.

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An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation, 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to pay for operating expenses, not tax dollars. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.