LOUISVILLE, KY (June 3, 2022) — The Muhammad Ali Center and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer announced a public awareness campaign for Louisville native Muhammad Ali’s image to appear on a United States Postal Service (USPS) Stamp. The purpose of the social media campaign, called #GetTheChampAStamp, is meant to involve the public in sharing and choosing Muhammad Ali images they would like to see on a stamp.
Mayor Fischer and Muhammad Ali Center Board Member Peter Villegas participated in the announcement virtually from the U.S. Mayors 90th Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada. On Monday, the U.S. Conference of Mayors will vote on a resolution which supports Muhammad Ali’s image on a U.S. postal stamp and encourages public support.
This announcement was made on the six-year anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s passing and on the first day of the Center’s annual Ali Festival, a weeklong celebration of Ali’s legacy and love for his hometown of Louisville.
Being considered for a stamp involves a multi-step process with the USPS, including submittal of historical information and important dates associated with the subject. The Postal Service’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, which is appointed by the Postmaster General, selects subjects for recommendation and reviews criteria for eligibility. Among other criteria, the USPS honors those with “extraordinary and enduring individual contributions to American society, history, and culture, or environment” and who have achieved “widespread national appeal or significance.”
These process can take three years.
“As a heavyweight champion, cultural icon, global humanitarian, civil rights activist, and ‘People’s Champion,’ Muhammad Ali has had great name recognition and popularity with people around the globe, but has never been on a postage stamp,” said Marilyn Jackson, President and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center. “Muhammad once said, ‘I should be on a postage stamp because that’s the only way I’ll ever get licked!,’” and added that she hoped the #GetTheChampAStamp campaign would raise awareness and excitement.
“Muhammad’s values of hard work, conviction, and compassion helped him become a global icon,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “And as a boxer, he became The Greatest, though his most victories happened outside the ring.”
“He leveraged his fame as a platform to promote peace, justice, and humanitarian efforts around the world, while always keeping strong ties to his hometown, Louisville, Kentucky,” Fischer continued. “That’s why I am excited to sponsor a resolution through the United States Conference of Mayors in support of issuing a postage stamp to honor the Champ!”
Villegas said Ali’s “commitment to equal justice and peace has touched the lives of millions of people—in our country and worldwide.” He encouraged the public to show their support for the stamp effort by sharing the hashtag #GetTheChampAStamp on social media, post photos of Ali that they thought would be fitting for a stamp, or writing letters of support.
Lonnie Ali, wife of Muhammad Ali, concluded by saying if her husband’s stamp becomes a reality, she knew that Muhammad would want people to use the stamp to make others happy.
“He would want you to use that stamp for sending a birthday cards, a note to a long-lost friend, your grandmother or mother, or for a wedding or birth announcement,” Ali said.
To watch the press announcement: https://fb.watch/dqfgfwsSaY/
For a full list of Ali Festival events, visit alicenter.org/ali-festival
