U.S. House Passes Rep Rice's Bill To Name Post Office After Joseph Rainey

Press Release

Today the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved Congressman Tom Rice's (R-SC) legislation to rename the Georgetown, South Carolina Post Office in honor of Joseph Rainey, the first African American to serve in Congress.

Joseph Rainey was born into slavery in Georgetown, South Carolina in 1832. His father was a barber and used his earnings to buy freedom for himself and his family, including Joseph. Later, during the Civil War, Joseph was drafted by the Confederacy, but he escaped to Bermuda with his wife and started a business. In 1866 he returned to Georgetown, South Carolina where he became the county's Republican Party Chairman. Just a few years later in 1870, he was elected to Congress where he served until 1879 making him the longest serving African American Member of Congress in the nineteenth century. Joseph Rainey fought tirelessly for civil rights, education, and economic opportunity. He has left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.

"It was a privilege to introduce this bill that honors a true American patriot like Mr. Rainey. All South Carolinians can look up to Joseph Rainey as a trailblazer who fought for opportunity for all and someone that taught us to pursue excellence," said Congressman Rice.

"Joseph Rainey overcame slavery, the Civil War, and deep-seated hatred to help lead South Carolina through one of the darkest times in our nation's history. He went on to become the first Black American ever to serve in the House of Representatives. His incredible leadership to our nation deserves much more than a Post Office, but this is certainly a start," said Congresswoman Mace.

Watch Rep Rice's Speech here.

This legislation was cosponsored by Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (SC-06), Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01), Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02), Congressman Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Congressman William Timmons(SC-04), and Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05).

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