OCA Celebrates Postal Service’s New Forever Stamp Honoring the Year of the Tiger
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2022
Media Contact:
Andrew Peng, Communications Associate
andrew.peng@ocanational.org
Washington, D.C. — OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates welcomed the unveiling of the United States Postal Service’s latest Lunar New Year commemorative stamp on Thursday, with the “First Day of Issue Dedication Ceremony” for the Year of the Tiger taking place at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre in New York City.
The idea of advocating for a commemorative stamp honoring Chinese and Asian American cultures and history came from OCA Georgia Chapter member Jean Chen in 1986. In 1991, then-OCA National President Claudine Cheng spearheaded a campaign urging USPS to consider the proposal. The concept was widely welcomed and the first Lunar New Year Stamp celebrating the Year of the Rooster was unveiled at the OCA National Convention in San Jose in 1992.
“The stamp is an instrument of communication and it promotes awareness of a special aspect of the Asian American cultural heritage. Lunar New Year is celebrated by many ethnicities within the AAPI community," said Claudine Cheng, former National President of OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates.
Following the issuance of the first Lunar New Year stamp, USPS proceeded to issue the entire 12-year cycle of the stamp associated with the Chinese lunar calendar, and a second series followed in 2008. Driven by the tireless advocacy of Cheng, a third series was approved in 2020.
The Year of the Tiger stamp issued Thursday features original art by Camille Chew and is the third of 12 scheduled stamps in the newest series, which will continue through 2031. It is now available to buy nationwide.
"OCA is grateful for the support of AAPIs and major civic organizations throughout the country for the Lunar New Year commemorative stamp program. We look forward to seeing USPS' continued support of our community through the release of other stamps celebrating historical Asian American and Pacific Islander figures or utilizing AAPI artists,” said Linda Ng, current National President of OCA.
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About OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates
Founded in 1973, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national, member-driven social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.