Philatelist Urges Clinton To Veto Special Breast Cancer Research Stamp

The head of a worldwide group of stamp collectors on Tuesday said a proposed first-class postage stamp that would help finance breast cancer research should be shelved.

Randy Neil, president of the American Philatelic Society, has asked President Clinton to veto a measure pending on his desk that would authorize the special stamp - the first of its kind if Clinton gives the go ahead.

The society is critical of the stamp legislation, which was co-sponsored by Rep. Vic Fazio, D-West Sacramento, and Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Lauch Faircloth, R-N.C.

The bill, which was the brainchild of Sacramento surgeon Dr. Balazs “Ernie” Bodai, would establish a two-year demonstration project to sell the special stamp for up to 8 cents more than a regular first-class stamp.

The extra proceeds, after administrative costs are deducted, would be earmarked for government breast cancer research.

Neil said he has no qualms with providing more funds for research. But he noted that the group he leads has historically opposed so-called “semi-postal” stamps because, he said, stamp collectors end up buying many of them.

He also agreed with critics that once the breast cancer stamp is approved, other charities will want the same honor.

“By the issuance of this semi-postal stamp, which is pretty much a fait accompli at this point, we’ll open the floodgates and we will never get them closed,” he said.

But Susan Kennedy, a spokeswoman for Feinstein, had a suggestion: “No one is forcing these collectors to buy any stamp against their will. If they have a problem not buying a stamp when it is a totally voluntary program, I can recommend a good 12-step program.”