Monday, September 11, U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) sent a letter to the U.S. Postal Service Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee requesting the issuance of a postal stamp to recognize the life and legacy of former Lincoln County resident James Cash Penney.

“U.S. postage stamps give us the opportunity to celebrate great Americans and their lasting contributions to our nation. As the founder of JCPenney, James Cash Penney not only began building a retail empire from his home in Kemmerer, but he also dedicated much of his personal and professional resources to education, agriculture and religious organizations. His significant philanthropic contributions and commitment to developing rural America has left a lasting impact on Wyoming, and his legacy deserves to be memorialized with a U.S. postage stamp,”said Senator Lummis.

For a copy of the letter, click here.

BACKGROUND: 

James Cash Penney was born in 1875 to humble beginnings in Hamilton, Missouri. After surviving tuberculosis and moving out west for treatment, he began his career in retail by working for a small chain store known as the Golden Rule stores. In 1902, he opened a Golden Rules store in Kemmerer, Wyoming, which would go on to become the first JCPenney store.