Sen. Jon Husted leads effort to rename Georgetown post office in President Grant’s honor
WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) introduced a bill designating the United States Postal Service located at 201 East Grant Ave. in Georgetown, Ohio, as the “Ulysses S. Grant Post Office Building.”
Rep. Dave Taylor (R-Ohio) is leading this bill in the House of Representatives. The bills have 100-percent support from the full Ohio delegation in the House and Senate.
“With America’s 250th birthday approaching, it’s important we recognize Ohio’s rich history and the leaders who helped shape our nation. President Grant played a crucial role in American history by leading the Union to victory in the Civil War and advancing civil rights. Renaming a post office in his honor is one small way we can recognize his lasting legacy for our state and our country,” said Husted.
“As one of the eight great presidents home-grown in our Buckeye State, President Ulysses S. Grant played a pivotal role in securing the Union’s victory in the Civil War and advancing civil rights during the Reconstruction period. As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, it is only fitting that we honor a hometown leader who helped shape the course of American history. I am proud to introduce this bill on the anniversary of both of his inaugurations to establish the first post office in the United States honoring the life and legacy of Georgetown’s very own President Ulysses S. Grant,” said Taylor.
Background:
On April 27, 1822, Ulysses S. Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio, and spent his childhood in Georgetown before attending the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1839. After graduating, Grant joined the 4th Regiment of the United States Infantry, where he served with distinction in the Mexican-American War.
Over the course of the American Civil War, Grant commanded and fought in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, the Wilderness, Petersburg and Appomattox. Grant was appointed the first Lieutenant General of the U.S. Army after Congress reestablished the position in 1864.
On March 4, 1869, Grant was sworn in as the 18th president of the United States, becoming the second Ohioan to serve in this role. Throughout his two terms as president, Grant worked on civil rights issues, including the establishment of the Department of Justice, the adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment and other Reconstruction efforts.
President Grant was inaugurated into his first term as president on March 4, 1869, at the age of 46. His second inauguration took place on March 4, 1873. This bill would designate the first post office in the United States named in honor of President Ulysses S. Grant.