To celebrate the issuance of the new White House commemorative stamp, Congressman Peter King joined with community leaders and postal officials for an unveiling of the stamp at the Farmingdale Public Library last Monday. The stamp was issued in Washington on Oct. 18 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the White House as the official residence of the American president.

The 33-cent stamp was made available at post offices across the country on Oct. 19, honoring the White House in its bicentennial year. The stamp features a photograph of the White House taken by Patricia Fisher of Washington DC. Derry Noyles, also from Washington, served as the designer for the stamp.

United States Postal Service Manager for the Long Island District Thomas F. Rosati said that with this stamp, the postal service commemorates the White House as the official home of the president.

"Today the White House is an American symbol recognized around the world," Rosati said at the unveiling in Farmingdale. "The stately mansion, at the heart of the nation's capital, welcomes approximately 6,000 visitors each day, all of whom are witnesses to the historical significance and architectural beauty of a national treasure."

At the unveiling in Washington, Postal Service District Manager Jerry D. Lane said "the White House stamp brings together two great, enduring symbols of the US government and the American people: the magnificent building at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and the US Postal Service."

Hugh Sidey, president of the White House historical association said that "on its 200th birthday, the White House is the most important and renowned building in the world, symbol of liberty and hope for all people. When President John Adams moved into the new but yet unfinished building on Nov. 1, 1800, few Americans realized he had planted an institution that would in the next two centuries become the most powerful and successful democracy in history."

Postmaster of Farmingdale and Master of Ceremonies Richard Kitson welcomed Congressman Peter King at the stamp unveiling and thanked him for attending by presenting him with his own enlarged copy of the new White House stamp.

King unveiled the stamp saying that the White House symbolizes the United States better than any other building. King explained that the monumental building has survived many things in our country's history, including presidents.

John Adams, the second US president, moved into the unfinished "president's house" in November of 1800. Since then the White House has seen many changes and improvements, including running water and an indoor bathroom which was installed in 1833. Electric lighting was installed in the building in 1891. During the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, the West Wing offices were built.

The White House has also undergone two comprehensive renovations. First, after the British forces burned it in 1814 during the war of 1812, and again in 1948 during the Truman administration, when an examination of the building found it to be structurally unsafe, it was subsequently gutted, reinforced with steel and concrete, and rebuilt within its original walls.

King said that holding the unveiling at the Farmingdale Public Library was fitting for the event. "Farmingdale is a wonderful community," King said, "and I feel that holding the unveiling here at this library is very fitting."