📢 OCA Celebrates Postal Service’s New Forever Stamp Honoring the Year of the Tiger

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 Cheng's tireless advocacy, 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 OCA's current National President Linda Ng.