As President Sombrotto said a few years ago, don't place your confidence in political polls and predictions. Place your confidence in the ballot box. Vote for those candidates that are friendly to the needs of letter cariiers and their families. Both active and retired members have the opportunity to ensure that no anti-labor politician destroys letter carriers' opportunity to remain with the Postal Service. Make a note before you enter the voting booth as to who to vote for.

By accurate account, in the last election, NALC figures released in The Postal Record disclosed that the New York State Democratic congress persons have voted an average rate of 98.7% in support of letter carriers' issues, which is a tremendous level of support. While the NALC is not against the Republican Party, it is a proven fact that the Democrats are the ones that help labor. Most Republicans do not favor unionized working people. Republicans certainly are not friends of the working class. They tend to favor the rich in many bills that were passed by the Congress and sent to the President to sign. The bills represented dangerous legislation that would have cut our benefits. However, we definitely do vote for . Republicans who support our issues. Listed below are the names of the politicians whose records show they are letter carrier-friendly. If we vote the right way, the smart way, we can protect our benefits and our jobs.

Mario and I always kept in touch with one another. I always phoned him. Most recently I phoned him to wish him a Happy New Year and that's how 1 learned that he was very sick. He thought his health was failing. I was heartsick after having spoken with him and my silent prayer was that he would get well again.

Many letter carriers thanked Mario for all his help and advice and told him they realized that he was a dedicated union man who had the ability to instill such dedication in others.

When Mario retired I wrote that he should accept my genuine heartfelt thanksfor having liberally given his time and talent.

I will very much miss my friend Mario. We enjoyed and respected him. Rest in peace, Mario.

Let's get the Postal Reform Bill passed this year, because this year is our newcontract year. November 2006 starts the new contract. On January 8,2006, there was a raise in the price of posfage from 37 cents to 39 cents. I am sure that the postal service will use this raise against us in negotiations, saying that the reason they had to raise the price of stamps is because we want a raise in our salaries.

Our only line of defense is COLCPE, that is, building up its treasury as much as possible and keeping it healthy. I know many of our carriers do get involved with donations on station levels with COLCPE. Too many of our brothers and sisters do not get involved with COLCPE, which is wrong and unproductive. Branch 36 has won COLCPE awards at the last three of four conventions, for having donated the most money to COLCPE by a branch.

I am proud of this branch and thank all of the shop stewards, carriers, and retirees who donated to protect our jobs. However, I am disappointed in those stations and carriers who failed to contribute. Here are the figures that carriers should know. Only six Bronx stations out of twenty-five gave to COLCPE and twenty-two out of forty-three in Manhattan stations gave to COLCPE in 2005.

Carriers, the bottom line is that all carriers in all stations should get involved with COLCPE to protect their jobs. I believe every carrier should give one dollar of hisher paycheck to COLCPE. I think $26.00 a year as a COLCPE contribution is justified. I am sure all carriers have insurance policies, whether it is used for their car or home, health benefits or life insurance for their families. Make it a policy to put COLCPE on your list to ensure your job, because without this job, you cannot support your family. Don't let the person next to you support you. Let's all get involved with this vital function.

COLCPE is bi-partisan. Yes, we support 79% of democrats and we also support 21% of Republicans. We only support Congressmen who support our needs. The more money we receive for COLCPE, the more candidates we can support this year. We must try to change the majority in the House and Senate to protect our benefits. We cannot have a Republican House, a Republican Senate and a Republican president. Again, we must elect people who can support our needs. Not enough of our members glve to COLCPE on a national level. I know the last few years we haven't asked retirees to get involved with COLCPE although they still do send in checks for COLCPE, but this year I am asking all retirees to get involved because our benefits and health plan could be changed for the worse. We need all the active and retired carriers to get on board to contribute to COLCPE. This may be your last chance to protect yourselves.
Let's hope we can have a happy and healthy New Year.

1 . The AFL-CIO will award a four-year scholarship to a 2006 graduating high school senior who intends to pursue a career in labor relations or a related field, at a college or university located in New York State. The scholarship will be for $2,000 a year for four consecutive years for a total of $8,000.00. To know the criteria regarding applicant eligibility, write to us at Branch 36 and address your inquiry to the attention of ELAINE.

2. In The Outlook, we periodically feature the application form relating toour Branch 36 Lepper/Fink/Zwoboda/Sombrotto Scholarship Fund. Four scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $2,000 paid in annual installments of $500.00 per year, for four (4) years. Concerning receipt of applications, please / use the application printed in The Outlook, or write to us for it at Branch 36, to / the attention of PAT LUCUS. This scholarship application must be received at Branch 36 by March 24.2006.

3. The Costas G. Lemonopoulos Scholarship Trust, established by retired St. Petersburg, Florida, Branch 1477 member Costas G. Lemonopoulos, will award more than 20 scholarships to children of N.A.L.C. members attending Florida state-supported college, universities, or St. Petersburg Jr. College. For an explanation of the rules governing the awards and instructions as to how you can compete, fill out and send the form featured in Postal Record by Thursday, June 1, 2006 to the Costas G. Lemonopoulos Scholarship Trust, NALC, 100 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001-2 144;

4. Doherty Donelon Scholarships - Sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers in honor of its president from 1941 to 1962, the William C. Doherty Scholarship Fund each year awards five (5) scholarships to children of members in good standing. Applicants must be high school seniors and must meet all the eligibility criteria in order to be considered for awards in the 2005-2006 competition. The scholarship application is usually shown in Postal Record each month, however, if you are in need of a scholarship application. please write for it to William C. Doherty Scholarship Committee, in care of the National Association of Letter Carriers. 100 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Washington. D.C. 20001-2144. Please check Postal Record to learn the terms of the scholarship award, by reading page 61 of the October, 2005 issue or page 64 of the November. 2005 issue.

John T. Donelon Scholarship Fund will award one scholarship in honor of Donelon longtime NALC assistant to the president. For complete information about the Doherty Donelon Scholarships, please read page 61 of the October, 2005 issue or page 64 of the November, 2005 issue.

Regarding eligibility, the applicant may be the daughter, stepdaughter*, granddaughter*, son, stepson*, grandson*, of an active. retired or deceased letter carrier. "Stepchildren and grandchildren are eligible if they live with the letter carrier in a regular parentlchild relationship.

No applicant is barred from applying for all available scholarships. Parents of all graduating seniors should take advantage of all of these opportunities to have their children advance themselves educationally by encouraging them to apply for scholarships. This is your chance to defray the high cost of education. If there are any other subjects about wnich you would like more information, please feel free to contact Branch 36 by telephone or in writing. Also. we would like to see you and hear you at all our general membership meetings.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Al was a happy-go-lucky guy. He always had a smile on his face. He had many friends, not only in New York but also around the country.
Al was an officer of this branch for many years and we received calls from those who wished to express their condolences when Al passed away.
When we had our retirees' brunch in Florida each year, on a Friday night I always drove Al to a Palish dance club. He loved to dance. Al started out as a Financial Secretary of Branch 36 and worked his way up to Executive Vice-president.
The loss of A1 will always be remembered. Al dates back to the rank and file of Branch 36 going back to the 70's. Al and I often talked about the postal stnke of 1970, and the politics.involved in the strike.
He was proud that Vincent R. Sombrotto became president of Branch 36 and later became national president of the National Association of Letter Carriers.
We lost a member of our family who will be remembered for his happy smile by the officers, staff and membership of Branch 36.