EDITOR'S NOTE: FIND AN UPDATED VERSION OF THIS ITEM HERE.
Rep. Renee Ellmers announced Wednesday evening that she has submitted a bill to name the historic Century Post Office in Raleigh the Jesse Helms Federal Building and United States Courthouse, honoring the late conservative Republican senator.
It’s the first time a federal building anywhere has been named for Helms, the state’s powerful and longtime senator, said John Dodd, president of the Helms Center in Wingate.
“This bill will ensure that the work he accomplished for the people of North Carolina will live on and invite future generations to learn about the important work he accomplished for our state and I am proud to sponsor it here in the House of Representatives," Ellmers, a Republican representing the 2nd District which includes part of Wake County, said in a statement.
Helms served as a Republican in the U.S. Senate for 30 years, from 1973 to 2003. He helped lead the conservative movement that elected Ronald Reagan president. In the Senate, he was known for his role as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as well as his speeches on the Senate floor against communism and government spending. He supported a strong military and strongly opposed expansion of the federal government.
In a statement, Helms’ widow, Dorothy, said the family “was deeply touched” to learn about the resolution to honor him with the new name for the post office.
“Jesse’s office was located in that very building for most of his Senate career. He was very proud to have his Senate office in that building on Fayetteville Street — Raleigh’s 'Main Street.' Jesse was a letter writer throughout his entire life so it's especially meaningful that the building to be named in his honor contains a post office,” she said.
Also named for Helms is the Helms School of Government at Liberty University in Virginia, the Christian university founded by the late founder of the Moral Majority lobbying group, Jerry Falwell.
Comments
Stay Focused, Renee
November 29, 2012 - 7:11am — mghoodFiscal cliff....fiscal cliff...fiscal cliff. TRY to focus on the important issues and forget the "fluff" even though it energizes the base. Nah.....2014 is only two years away. Throw them some red meat.
Just say NO! to Senator NO!
November 28, 2012 - 9:02pm — RockyRoadI almost didn't beleive the words on the screen when I read them. Jesse "NO!" Helms may get a whole building named for him.
If I was going to run for Governor, or any office in this state, I would start writing this crazy stuff down now to use as evidence in four years as to why no one in their right mind should vote Republican.
Now that they have both houses and the Governor's chair it's going to be one totally insane thing after another for at least four years.
Folks, just say "NO!" to this idiotic idea.
o...m...g..!