Luke Letlow Post Office Building

Floor Speech

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Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I rise today in support of H.R. 7423, a bill to designate the United States Post Office in Rayville, Louisiana, after our dear friend and our former Louisiana Fifth District Congressman, Luke Letlow.

In December of 2020, Luke tragically passed away just days before taking his oath of office and serving here with us in Congress.

We were all devastated. He was in the prime of his life, 41 years old, with two beautiful children and a lovely wife, Julia, who is one of Kelly's and my favorite people in the world.

He had spent his entire professional career serving the people of Louisiana in the Governor's office and our congressional delegation.

There was no greater ambassador of Louisiana culture and values, and I have no doubt he would have been a leading Member of our delegation and of Congress.

Luke was a native son of Start, Louisiana, a town of just a few hundred people nestled outside of Monroe in northeast Louisiana, and it was there that he developed what was truly a servant's heart.

He had a peaceful, easygoing nature. Everybody loved him. Whoever held his attention was the most important person in the world at that moment.

Luke listened first, and then he acted--a quality this town could use a lot more of. He was passionate about Louisiana, about our issues like agriculture and energy and, more than anything else, his beautiful family.

I don't remember having many conversations with Luke that did not involve his family because he was so proud of them.

I know he is smiling down upon his wife, Julia, our extraordinary colleague who has been such a tremendous asset to this institution and a great champion for our State.

Their two beautiful children, Jeremiah and Jacqueline, who have become fixtures around here, are blessed to have incredible role models as parents.

I am grateful to our entire Louisiana delegation for joining together in this effort, and I am grateful for the idea that we have had here. I am grateful for the comfort of knowing where he is.

By passing this legislation, the Rayville community will continue to honor the life and legacy of a great American and a great Louisianian. I look forward to its swift passage.

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