 GOLDEN
STATE HONORED WITH COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP
U.S. Postal Service Celebrates California's Sesquicentennial
WASHINGTON
-- The U.S. Postal Service will honor the 150th anniversary
of California's statehood with the issuance of the California
Statehood commemorative postage stamp on Sept. 8 in Sacramento.
Part of
the Postal Service's Statehood series, the new First-Class
stamp will be dedicated at a noon ceremony to be held during
the state's three-day Admission Day 2000 event on the steps
of the State Capitol.
"With
the issuance of the California Statehood stamp, we believe
all Americans will be pleased with the portrayal of our 31st
state in this miniature work of art," said Deborah Willhite,
Postal Service Senior Vice President, Government Relations
and Public Policy, who will dedicate the stamp.
"This
beautiful stamp is a wonderful example of how the U.S. stamp
program provides an inexpensive but exciting way for everyone,
everyday, to enjoy and appreciate the history and natural
wonders of this great nation," she said.
Joining
Willhite at the event will be California Governor Gray Davis;
Carl Herrman, the stamp's designer and a resident of Carlsbad,
Calif. Also representing the Postal Service will be Benjamin
Torres, District Manager, Sacramento District.
"Californians
are proud of our state's great heritage and enthusiastic about
our 150th birthday celebration," said Governor Gray Davis.
"The United States Postal Service's commemorative stamp
is a magnificent addition to our Celebrating California line-up
and a fitting tribute to the spectacular beauty our state
offers. We thank the Postal Service for giving us such a
wonderful
keepsake of this year's festivities."
On Feb.
2, 1848, Mexico and the United States signed a treaty ending
the Mexican War. As part of the peace treaty, Mexico agreed
to cede a vast portion of the Southwest, including present-day
California, to the United States.
Several
days earlier, on Jan. 24, 1848, gold had been discovered at
Sutter's Mill on the American River near Sacramento. The ensuing
gold rush hastened the territory's admittance to the Union,
and California became the 31st state on Sept. 9, 1850.
The stamp
art features a color photograph of cliffs at the southern
end of California's Big Sur coastline, just south of Ragged
Point. Iceplant is blooming in the foreground. The photograph
was taken in May 1966 by Art Wolfe, of Seattle, Wash.
Wolfe's
photographs are recognized for their mastery of color,
composition,
and perspective. His unique approach to nature photography
is based on his training in the arts and his love of
the environment.
Wolfe was named "1993 Outstanding Nature Photographer
of the Year" by the North American Nature Photography
Association and "1996 Photographer of the Year"
by "Photo Media" magazine. |
