THOMPSON LEGISLATION TO RENAME VALLEJO POST OFFICE AFTER PHILMORE GRAHAM PASSES HOUSE
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson's (CA-5) bipartisan legislation to designate the United States Postal facility located at 100 Admiral Callaghan Lane in Vallejo as the "Philmore Graham Post Office Building" pasted the House last night by unanimously. The legislation, H.R. 5106, was cosponsored by every member of the California Congressional Delegation.
"There is no one more deserving of this recognition than Philmore Graham and I am proud that the House passed this bipartisan bill," said Thompson. "Mr. Graham was a veteran, a patriot, a mentor and a leader. He dedicated his life to helping others succeed, and he made our community a better place to live and raise a family. It's only fitting that we honor his memory by forever naming our post office after Philmore Graham."
Graham was born in North Carolina and graduated from Tennessee State University. He served in the Air Force and worked at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. He was the first, and to this day remains the only, African American to hold the position of supervisor at Mare Island's Department of Nuclear Energy.
In 1966, Graham founded the Continentals of Omega Boys and Girls Club in Vallejo. What began as six young boys meeting in Graham's garage has become a thriving organization that today enriches the lives of approximately 300 boys and girls each year. The club has worked with thousands of young people since its inception.
Graham mentored scores of young people, offering them support and encouragement and instilling in them the values and principles they needed to succeed. He provided academic support, encouraged involvement in sports, and taught young people the importance of perseverance, hard-work, and self-respect.
Graham was named the NAACP's Outstanding Citizen of the Year. He was awarded the Good Neighbor Award, the Salute to America Lifetime Merit Award, the Profile of Excellence Award, the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, and the "Who's Who" Among Black Americans Award. Additionally, he was named the Omega Man of the Year and Citizen of the Year multiple times.
H.R. 5106 now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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