(Washington, DC, January 29, 2007) — Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen met today with postal and Customs officials in San Juan, Puerto Rico to follow-up on the inefficiencies in regular and priority mail service to and from the U.S. Virgin Islands.  “We discussed facilities and staffing issues and agreed that there was a need for better coordination between the U.S. Postal Service and Customs and Border Patrol with regard to processing our mail in a timely and efficient manner,” the Delegate said.

Christensen met with Priscilla Maney, the Executive in Charge for the Caribbean District of the U.S. Postal Service, Miriella Couto, the Assistant Area Port Director for Trade, Debra Robinson, Acting Assistant Area Port Director for Trade and other managers of the U.S. Postal Services. “They have agreed to conduct Customer Days at post offices in the territory, where officials will be on hand in the post office lobbies to answer the questions of customers who come through to use the facilities.”  The Delegate said that this will be an opportunity for residents who have complaints to take them directly to those who can make a difference in service.  “I hope that our residents take advantage of this opportunity to make the Post Office aware of their experiences.” Dates will be announced next week.

The Delegate also announced that tests on how long it takes mail to get to and from the territory from various destinations will be conducted. The Delegate said that she will continue to follow up on all of these issues until Virgin Islanders experience marked improvement in services.