FORT MADISON – An effort to rename the Fort Madison Post Office after former State Rep. Martin Graber of Fort Madison hit the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives late Tuesday and again on Wednesday.
U.S Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-1) introduced a bill to rename the post office, which she said wasn’t a rarity in Congress as an honor to U.S. veterans.
“It's not unusual for people to rename post offices after somebody, especially veterans that live and work in the community and are well known in their community," Miller-Meeks said Wednesday morning.
“It's not meant to be a divisive issue. It's just meant to honor someone who is well known in the community. Frequently this is done on both sides of the aisle.”
Graber was born in Donnellson and is a graduate of Central Lee High School. He went on to serve his country with distinction for over three decades in the Iowa Army National Guard. General Graber enlisted in Company A, 224th Engineer Battalion, in July 1972. He earned his commission as an Engineer Officer through the OCS program on July 1, 1974. His military education included the U.S. Army War College, Engineer Pre-Command Course, Senior Officer Logistics Management Course, Command and General Staff College, and both the Engineer Officer Advanced and Basic Courses.
Miller-Meeks said she knew legislators have gone down this path in the past and decided to introduce a bill. She said her contacts with him prior to redistricting, and in her interactions with Veterans Affairs and veteran activities in Lee County made the decision an easy one. As a veteran herself, the Congresswoman thought it would be a good way to honor Graber’s service as a state legislator, veteran, and Lee County advocate.
“I've been thinking about this for some time and it came down to either Fort Madison or Donnellson where he was born,” she said.
“Everybody knows them. It seemed like it was fitting so we reached out to people in the community and there didn't seem to be any pushback against it, so we decided to do it.”
She spoke Tuesday night on the floor about the bill and then introduced it on Wednesday morning.
"Martin Graber embodied the very best of Iowa: faith, family, and service. He was a patriot, a leader, and a constant source of strength for Fort Madison and all of southeast Iowa," said Rep. Miller-Meeks. "Naming this post office in his honor ensures his legacy of service and sacrifice lives on. I’m deeply proud to lead this effort to recognize a man who gave so much to his community and his country."
"I am so proud to support legislation renaming the Fort Madison Post Office after the late Iowa State Representative Martin Graber," said Rep. Ashley Hinson. "His life epitomized patriotism, courage, and self-sacrifice, and I am grateful for his dedicated service to Iowans for so many years. This landmark will forever be remembered in his name and is a testament to his legacy."
"I’m proud to join my colleagues in the Iowa delegation to rename the Fort Madison Post Office in memory of Martin Graber. As a member of the Iowa legislature, he served the families, farmers, and entrepreneurs of Lee County with class and integrity, and as a Brigadier General in the Iowa National Guard, he sacrificed for our state and country," said Rep. Feenstra. "Renaming the Fort Madison Post Office is a small gesture that honors his life of service and commemorates his commitment to Southeast Iowa."
Miller-Meeks said Graber was an effective legislator in his short time and advocated heavily for Lee County.
“I think he was very effective as a legislator, but first and foremost, I think he loved Lee County. He loved the community, he loved the people, and he was truly a selfless citizen servant,” she said.
Miller-Meeks said the bill will be moved around through committees, but unless things get problematic, which she didn’t anticipate, the bill could be signed in September.
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