Postal service of today is far removed from that of 30 years ago when reform was last enacted.

Americans have an expectation that the Postal Service will abide by its well-known, although unofficial, motto - a commitment to deliver.

Now that this legislation has passed the House, I look forward to the vote in the Senate that will bring us to Conference, where we can resolve any outstanding issues and make this postal reform reality - for the Postal Service and for all Americans.

But the fact is, Mr. Chairman, for all the challenges the Postal Service of the 21st century faces, it still retains its traditional place as a key cog in how American businesses conduct their affairs and how Americans all across this land communicate.

Last month, the Iraqi people went to the polls, voting in their first free election in more than 50 years.

One only has to look at the performance of the economy to understand how it shapes the perspective of America's youth about military service.