On Tuesday, June 21, 2016, the House will consider H.R. 4960, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 525 N Broadway in Aurora, Illinois, as the “Kenneth M. Christy Post Office Building”, under suspension of the rules. The bill was introduced on April 15, 2016, by Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) and was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered the bill reported by Unanimous Consent on May 17, 2016.
H.R. 4960 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 525 N Broadway in Aurora, Illinois, as the “Kenneth M. Christy Post Office Building.”
Kenneth M. Christy started at the Aurora Post Office on September 19, 1977, and would go on to serve as the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) branch Chief Steward. He also served as Secretary of the branch for four years and Branch President for 25 years. As a letter carrier, Ken was awarded the One Million Mile Award for safe driving and dedication. Under his leadership, Branch 219 was awarded several Muscular Dystrophy Association awards, and was recognized nationally with the NALC Branch Service award and Humanitarian award. In 2000, Ken was awarded the Dave Bybee award for leadership and dedication from the Illinois State Association of Letter Carriers (ISALC.) In 2004, Ken became a Legislative Liaison for ISALC. In 2006, he became the Assistant Director of Legislation for ISALC. In 2007, he became President of ISALC and held that position until the end of his life. In 2012, Ken was inducted into the Illinois Letter Carriers Hall of Fame. In 2013, Ken was elected to a four-year term as Clerk of Aurora Township, Illinois. Ken was widely respected throughout the community, being granted honorary membership in many postal facilities outside of Aurora. Ken also did considerable volunteer work including coaching little league baseball, organizing NALC’s annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive locally, making deliveries for the Northern Illinois Food bank, and volunteering for school supply drives for underprivileged children.[1] This bill would honor Christy’s life and service by naming a post office after him. According to the bill’s sponsor, “Ken was a true leader in every sense of the word. He was a dedicated union and community advocate who worked tirelessly on behalf of his fellow letter carriers and fellow citizens. What better way to honor his legacy of public service than have the Aurora Post Office bear his name.”[2]
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[1] The Chicago Tribune, “Aurora post office may be named for former letter carrier,” April 18, 2016.
[2] See Rep. Bill Foster, “Foster Introduces Bill to Name Aurora Post Office after Ken Christy,” April 18, 2016.
A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate is not available.
For questions about amendments or further information on the bill, contact Jake Vreeburg with the House Republican Policy Committee by email or at 5-0190.
