REMARKS BY POSTMASTER GENERAL/CEO JOHN E. POTTER
FIRST-DAY-OF-ISSUE CEREMONY
MOUNT ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY STAMPED CARD
EMMITSBURG, MARYLAND
APRIL 26, 2008

It’s a tremendous honor to be with you this evening.  This is a milestone for Mount St. Mary’s University and the Postal Service is pleased to be able to play a small part.  And with the vantage point of 200 years, Mount St. Mary’s knows a thing or two about history.

On that day, in 1808, when Father John Dubois took the first steps toward establishing this center of learning, he was a pioneer.  He was a visionary.  He understood the unique promise of America.  And he understood that its promise was predicated on an acknowledgement, by the state, that certain rights belonged to the people, and these rights could never be abrogated – freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion. 

These rights formed the core of our nation’s tradition of scholarly exploration.  They formed its respect for pluralism within a shared culture.  And that respect continues to propel a vigorous, intellectual conversation – one dominated neither by any government nor by the adherents of any one point of view.  And we are, each of us, the richer for it.

That is the genius of America.  And that is a genius that blossomed in the fertile soil of this state that was once called Mary’s Land.  It is a place that became a haven for so many who crossed a vast ocean seeking the freedom to serve their God – as they believed their God should be served.  It is a place that – long before there was even the idea of an American nation – enacted one of the first laws in support of religious tolerance.

So it is only right that Mount St. Mary’s the first independent Catholic college in America, planted its roots here in Maryland.  There simply was no more hospitable environment. 

And over the course of two centuries it imbued its students with a dedication to learning, an understanding of their faith, and an eagerness to engage with a world that could only benefit by their involvement.  That engagement grew to something that could not have been imagined by Father Dubois. 

The seeds he sowed were hardy and took well to any climate.  For over time, Mount St. Mary’s has become the “Cradle of Bishops,” with its graduates going on to lead 32 American dioceses – influencing not only their faith, but Catholic education throughout the nation.  The historic legacy of Mary’s Land thrives through the efforts of the university we honor with this postal card today.

It was only fitting that last week’s visit of Pope Benedict to the United States began on Maryland soil.  And as the first Bishop of Rome to visit the White House, Benedict represented the ideals that are at the heart of Mount St. Mary’s mission and of America’s remarkable religious liberty:  the free and mutual exchange of ideas between people of faith and their society. 

As a Catholic, with a Catholic education, I can recall so many mornings when the subject of religion class was “vocations.”  To those of us who were educated in the Church, that word had a very special meaning.  It’s wasn’t about just growing up to have a job – it was about having what was known as a “calling.”  It was about that supernatural tap on the shoulder.  It was God’s way of saying, “I want you” to be a priest, to be a brother, or to be a nun.

Personally, I never got “the calling,” so I decided that delivering mail was the way to go.  Until a few months ago.  That’s when I felt it. 

And it came with a voice, a very distinct voice, a voice I thought I recognized.  It said, “Jack, you have to do this.” 

And the more I thought about it, the more I realized the voice was right – especially when I realized it was the voice of Monsignor John Enzler.  Sure, he’s a member of the Mount St. Mary’s Board, but even more important, he’s my former Pastor.  So when he asked me to be here tonight, to help dedicate this postal card, I knew there was only one answer.  After all, he’s got some influence in places the Postmaster General may not. 

And it’s also my way of congratulating the Mountaineers for their first Division-One win in this year’s NCAA Tournament.  Believe me, after coaching basketball at Our Lady of Mercy parish, I understand just how hard the team worked to do that.  So, looking ahead, and in the spirit of the Mount St. Mary’s motto, I offer you “Our Hope” – Spes Nostra – for next year! 

So I’m happy to be with you as we share the story of Mount St. Mary’s with everyone in the nation through the beautiful image on this postal card.  For more than 150 years, our stamp program has honored the people, the places, and the events that have defined the American experience.  On behalf of the United States Postal Service, we welcome you to this incredible gallery.

Now, I’d like to ask the platform guests to join me in dedicating the Mount St. Mary’s University stamped card.