Mr. Speaker, some of my Virginia ancestors are rolling over in their graves today, but I am very happy to be here to speak in support of H.R. 7809 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 East Grant Avenue in Georgetown, Ohio, as the Ulysses S. Grant Post Office Building.
Ulysses S. Grant was an American hero who helped lead the United States Army to victory against the Confederacy in the Civil War before serving as President of the United States.
After graduating from West Point, Grant served in the Mexican- American war under the leadership of General Zachary Taylor, who would later become the 12th President of the United States.
Grant initially resigned from the Army in 1854, but at the outbreak of the Civil War, he served as commander of a volunteer regiment and was quickly promoted to brigadier general.
Throughout the war, he fought and won numerous battles. His victories included the capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson and the defeat of rebel forces at Shiloh and Vicksburg.
As the war progressed, his military leadership played an instrumental role in enforcing President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and advancing the United States' commitment to ending slavery.
In March 1864, President Lincoln designated Grant as the general-in- chief of the U.S. Army Forces, ultimately leading to a Union victory in April 1865 with the surrender of Confederate General Lee at Appomattox in Virginia.
After the war, Ulysses S. Grant served two terms as President of the United States. During his time in office, he pushed forward the Reconstruction agenda, advocating for civil rights and protection from political violence for Black Americans.
I encourage my colleagues to join us in honoring the life and legacy of President Grant by naming this post office in his hometown of Georgetown, Ohio, after him.
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Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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