The U.S. House of Representatives passed on Thursday a bill to rename a Baldwin County post office after former Alabama Congressman Jack Edwards.
U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Fairhope) sponsored the legislation renaming the building, and all six other members of Alabama’s U.S. House delegation signed on as cosponsors.
Edwards represented the southwest Alabama seat Byrne currently occupies from 1965 through 1985.
“Jack Edwards is one of Alabama’s greatest public servants whose leadership in Washington and Alabama left an indelible mark,” Byrne said in a statement Thursday.
The post office at 509 Fairhope Avenue in Fairhope will now be named the William “Jack” Jackson Edwards III Post Office Building if Byrne’s bill passes the U.S. Senate and is signed by President Donald Trump, both hurdles it will in all likelihood clear.
Edwards resided in Fairhope in his later years after retiring from Congress.
A Republican swept into office the year of Barry Goldwater’s presidential candidacy, Edwards died in September 2019. He was remembered fondly by Alabama politicians of both parties at the time of his passing.
“I thank my colleagues – many who remember Jack fondly for his service and remarkable accomplishments – for supporting my bill to bestow this honor to Jack’s memory. I appreciate Senator Shelby and Senator Jones for their help to now push the bill through the Senate and hopefully on to President Trump for his signature,” Byrne added in a release.
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.
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