Text of Senator Charles Schumer's Letter to John E. Potter, Postmaster General United States Postal Service

Dear Mr. Potter

I am writing to urge you to consider Troy, New York as a "first city" for the Uncle Sam stamp. As you know, the stamp will be unveiled in the booklet of prestige stamps on April 3rd. As you also may know, Troy is the hometown of the man long considered to be the "real-life" Uncle Sam, Samuel Wilson.

Troy, New York has been associated with Uncle Sam since the War of 1812, during which time Mr. Wilson lived in Troy as a meat packer. As the fabled story goes, each barrel of meat that was packed and shipped to soldiers was stamped with the letters "US." The soldiers eventually began to equate their rations from the United States with "Uncle Sam" Wilson.

In 1961, the 87th Congress adopted a resolution recognizing "Uncle Sam Wilson of Troy, New York as the progenitor of America's national symbol of Uncle Sam."

The city of Troy is proud to consider Uncle Sam a hometown native. Allowing the unveiling ceremony for the Uncle Sam stamp to take place in Troy would bestow a great honor on the city and on New York, and would give further homage to the man who served our nation's soldiers during a time of despair.

There is only one Uncle Sam, and he has only one hometown. As a symbol of determination and sacrifice for our nation in a time of war, Uncle Sam Wilson should be honored nationwide, but should be honored first in Troy.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator