The U.S. Postal Service to Dedicate the Wykagyl Postal Station in Honor of Robert Merrill

White Plains, NY — The United States Postal Service will dedicate the Wykagyl, New York Postal Station in honor of Robert Merrill. The dedication ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2008 at the Wykagyl Postal Station located at 3 Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804.

Congressman Nita Lowey sponsored the legislation to designate the Wykagyl Postal Station as the  “Robert Merrill Postal Station.” “Robert Merrill was one of New York’s great treasures,” said Lowey. “His singing set the standard for theatrical and musical excellence. He left an indelible mark on the community of New Rochelle, and his cultural legacy is unforgettable for all those who experienced his legendary performances at the Metropolitan Opera, on Broadway, on television, or even at Yankees games. With its action today, the House of Representatives ensures that future generations will remember the contributions of this remarkable man.”

Known as "America’s Baritone", Robert Merrill was a favorite of U.S. Presidents performing at the invitations of every president from FDR to Clinton, the only exceptions being the two Bush Presidents. Merrill was the only singer to perform for both Houses of Congress, the US Cabinet and the Supreme Court at the FDR Memorial held in the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him to The National Council on the Arts in 1968. President Clinton presented him with The National Medal of Arts in 1993. Many other awards and honors were bestowed in recognition of his artistic contributions and achievements.

Merrill’s youthful dream of being associated with major league baseball became a reality when the New York Yankees asked him to sing the National Anthem at the opening of their season games in 1967. He continued to perform in person at all important games i.e. playoffs, World Series until The Yankees gave Merrill his own Yankee uniform and official Yankee number "1 ½" (the only such number in baseball). Merrill proudly wore his uniform at Yankee Old Timers games. The Yankees presented him with the New York Yankees Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. There will also be a special pictorial postmark “1 1/2 Robert Merrill Postal Station” available to commemorate the ceremony.

Congressman Lowey will participate in the Post Office dedication ceremony. She will be joined by Marion Merrill, widow of Robert Merrill, Barry Tucker (Richard Tucker's son) from Metropolitan Opera House, Roy White and Mike Torrez, former Yankees, Joseph Lubrano, the United States Postal Service’s Westchester District Manager, Noam Bramson, Mayor of New Rochelle and William O’Shaughnessy, Chairman, Whitney Radio.