Bipartisan Approval Shows Broad Support

STAMFORD, Conn., May 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:

PBI) has expressed its appreciation to the leadership and members of the House Government Reform Committee for unanimously approving the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2004.

"This action is an essential step on the road to real postal reform," said Michael J. Critelli, Chairman and CEO of Pitney Bowes. "The Committee's action shows there is broad, bipartisan support for legislation to enable the Postal Service to survive and thrive in the 21st century. We greatly appreciate the work of Committee Chairman Tom Davis and Ranking Member Henry Waxman, and that of Special Postal Panel Chairman John McHugh and Ranking Member Danny Davis," Critelli said.

Critelli, who also serves as chairman of the Mailing Industry CEO Council, noted that Pitney Bowes has long supported postal reform. "The company was pleased last year when the Presidential Commission on the United States Postal Service and the Bush Administration called for enactment of comprehensive legislation. Now Congress has begun to do its part to deliver meaningful postal reform. We look forward to working with the Congress to make comprehensive postal reform a reality," Critelli said.

    Pitney Bowes has called for legislation that:
    * Clarifies that the mission of the Postal Service is to maintain
      universal physical mail service at affordable rates;
    * Enhances private sector partnerships for the most cost effective postal
      system;
    * Encourages the Postal Service to embrace technology;
    * Maintains price stability while increasing pricing flexibility; and
    * Improves the Postal Service's tools to manage its business and
      employees.

Pitney Bowes is the world's leading provider of integrated mail and document management systems, services and solutions. The $4.6 billion company helps organizations of all sizes reduce costs, increase effectiveness and enhance customer relationships. The company's 80-plus years of technological leadership has produced many major innovations in the mailing industry and more than 3,500 active patents with applications in a variety of markets, including printing, shipping, encryption, and financial services. With approximately 33,000 employees worldwide, Pitney Bowes serves more than 2 million businesses through direct and dealer operations. More information about Pitney Bowes can be found at www.pb.com.

     Contact:  Matt Broder
               Pitney Bowes
               VP, External Communications
               203-351-6347


SOURCE  Pitney Bowes Inc.
    -0-                             05/13/2004
    /CONTACT:  Matt Broder, VP, External Communications of Pitney Bowes,
+1-203-351-6347/
    /Web site:  http://www.pb.com /
    (PBI)

CO:  Pitney Bowes Inc.
ST:  Connecticut, District of Columbia
IN:  OFP
SU:  LEG POL

LK 
-- NYTH114 --
7411 05/13/2004 11:09 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com