WASHINGTON, Feb 13, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- At a hearing of the House Special Panel on Postal Reform and Oversight held Wednesday, February 11, 2004 at the Rayburn House Office Building, several members of the House Government Reform Committee, including Chairman McHugh, Ranking Member Davis, and Representative Blackburn, recognized Pitney Bowes for its efforts and commitment to the mailing industry and commended the company's Chairman and CEO Michael J. Critelli for his leadership in unifying the industry through the Mailing Industry Task Force and CEO Council.

"Mr. Critelli has done yeomen's work in helping to create the (Mailing Industry) CEO Council, which has been instrumental in this issue," said Panel Chairman John M. McHugh. "I would like to thank him for his leadership on this issue."

Representative Davis and Representative Blackburn also thanked Critelli for his efforts to promote the value of the mail.

The Special Panel for Postal Reform and Oversight is charged with helping reform the postal system in the midst of the most significant challenges to preserving universal mail service since it became an independent government entity.

"Reforms are needed this Congress to give the U.S. Postal Service the flexibility it needs to grow the mail and ensure a viable postal system in the years ahead," said Critelli, who also chairs the Mailing Industry CEO Council. "By embracing technology and partnering with private industry, the U.S. Postal Service can deliver higher value while reducing their costs. By growing the mail, all involved in the $900 billion mailing industry will benefit and continue to offer employment to more than 9 million Americans. We all recognize postal reform is a big job, and won't be solved overnight. I'm here today to pledge to you that the members of the CEO Council stand ready to assist you in any way possible."

Representative Christopher Shays, who is a member of the Government Reform Committee and has been active on postal reform, also thanked Critelli for his leadership in the industry and commended Pitney Bowes for its recent efforts to relocate jobs to an economically distressed area.

The panel is chaired by Rep. John M. McHugh, and is working closely with the Administration. Rep. McHugh and the panel report directly to Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis, making postal reform a full committee priority.

Other Committee members appointed to the panel are: Reps. Dan Burton (R-IN) Edward L. Schrock (R-VA), Candice Miller (R-MI), Tim Murphy (R-PA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Major R. Owens (D-NY), Edolphus Towns (D-NY) Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), and Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO).

Other witnesses at the hearing included: Fred Smith, chairman/CEO, FedEx Corp.; Ann Moore, chairman/CEO, Time Inc.; William Davis, President/CEO, R.R. Donnelly & Sons; Morris, co-Founder and vice chairman, Capital One Financial Corp.; Lester Hess, chairman, grand lodge advisory committee Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks; Hamilton Davison, CEO, Paramount Cards Inc.; Rebecca Jewett, president/CEO, Norm Thompson Outfitters Inc.; and Gary Mulloy, chairman/CEO, Advo Inc.

Pitney Bowes (NYSE: PBI) 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 engineer the flow of communication to reduce costs and increase impact, 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.

      Contact:
      Dan Burris
      Pitney Bowes
      203-351-6477
      daniel.burris@pb.com

SOURCE Pitney Bowes

Dan Burris of Pitney Bowes, +1-203-351-6477,
daniel.burris@pb.com

http://www.pitneybowes.com