April 4, 2003

Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee
C/O Stamp Development, U. S. Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 5670
Washington, D.C. 20260-2437

Dear Committee:

I am writing to support the proposal recently sent to you by the Norwegian-American Historical Association (NAHA) for a U. S. stamp honoring John A. "Snowshoe" Thompson. I urge you to approve their proposal to commemorate A.D. 2006 as the 150th anniversary of January 3, 1856, when "Snowshoe" first carried the U. S. mail from Placerville, CA, to Genoa, NV, on "ski shoes". Today, there is a large bronze statue of "Snowshoe" in the central park of Genoa.

As NAHA's proposal documents, "Snowshoe" Thompson was a key figure in Western American history, delivering the U. S. mail for twenty winters (1856-1876) across the Sierra Nevada mountains, arguably the most challenging of all mail routes. He performed countless heroic deeds of humanitarian aid for injured travelers, providing desperately needed medicine and creating a vital communications link between California and Nevada citizens. "Snowshoe's" heroic deed supplemented other modes of transportation (e.g. pack trains, Pony Express) and generated enthusiasm for skiing as a national sport.

NAHA's proposal is compelling, in my judgment. Your approval will honor an emigrant from the mountains of Telemark, Norway who became a public servant for the U. S. Postal Service, and an American folk hero. Thank you for supporting the NAHA's proposal to honor John A. "Snowshoe" Thompson.

Sincerely,

Gene Estensen
Telelaget of America
www.telelaget.com