ATLANTA — The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would see a southwest Atlanta post office renamed in honor of civil rights icon John Lewis.
The legislation would rename the post office at 3900 Crown Road SW to the John R. Lewis Post Office Building.
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“John, of course, was a crusader for the right to vote. He worked hard throughout his life to ensure that every eligible American could exercise that right, cast a ballot, and have a voice in our government. Whenever a Georgian casts his or her ballot by mail at the John R. Lewis U.S. Post Office in Atlanta, that act will honor his memory and life’s work,” Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said in a statement.
The bill passed almost unanimously. One Texas Republican, Rep. Chip Roy, voted present, which means he did not vote for or against the bill.
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Representative Nikema Williams, who took over Lewis’ seat after his death, spearheaded the bipartisan bill.
“Congressman Lewis was my friend and mentor, and his sacrifices paved the way for me to serve Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District. It speaks volumes to Congressman Lewis’ legacy that the House of Representatives was so united to honor his memory, but this vote should be the starting point. The House must continue channeling our inner John Lewis and create the ‘Beloved Community’ he spoke of by strengthening our democracy through voting rights, passing common sense gun control legislation, and legislating out of compassion,” Congresswoman Williams said.
The bill will now head to the U.S. Senate where it will be voted on again before being able to be signed into law.
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Roy told ABC News that he voted present because of his position not to support the renaming of federal buildings as a way to glorify political figures while the nation’s infrastructure crumbles.
“John Lewis’s life of service and commitment to the civil rights movement is unparalleled. Tonight, I voted ‘present’ on the question of naming a post office after him because I decided a long time ago not to engage in the swamp games of naming buildings while our nation crumbles — including today when we achieved the dubious distinction of $30 trillion in debt,” Roy said to ABC News.
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