HAMPTON ROADS, VA - "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 Heritage High School, Newport News, when the new commemorative postage stamp bearing her image will be dedicated there on Tuesday, February 13, beginning at 12:45 p.m. The program will be held in the school's auditorium, 5800 Marshall Avenue.

Ella Fitzgerald, artist, vocalist, Grammy award winner, and Newport News native, 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 Ivey Green, Officer in Charge, Newport News Post Office. "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 Green at this event are several local dignitaries including Newport News Mayor The Honorable Joe Frank; Heritage High School Principal Michael Nichols; former Newport News School Board Member Effie Ashe; and Jazz Director/Assistant Station Manager WHOV Radio. Music will be provided by the Heritage High School Jazz Ensemble, and selected Fitzgerald hits will be performed by local postal employees.

The event is free and open to the public.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits 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 cover its operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $73 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.