Washington, DC - Congressman Ed Towns (D-Brooklyn) and Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) announced today that they will be introducing legislation in Congress to rename a Brooklyn Post Office after deceased Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, who represented parts of Brooklyn for seven terms in Congress.  Chisholm was the first African-American female elected to Congress as well as the first African-American to seriously run for the office of the Presidency.

"Shirley was a trailblazer who opened the doors of opportunity for generations of women and minority politicians," said Congressman Towns.  "The naming of a Brooklyn post office in her honor is a fitting tribute to one of New York's finest public servants.

"Her advocacy for the education of the disadvantaged, Title IX, and early childhood education established her as one of the foremost education policymakers during her seven terms in Congress.  Unmatched as a voice for social justice, Shirley fought for the interests of groups like veterans, Haitian refugees and domestic workers," Towns added.   

Chisholm, who died on January 1, 2005 at age 80 in Ormond Beach, Florida., was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and the founder of the National Women's Political Caucus.

“Shirley Chisholm broke more glass ceilings than just about anyone else from Brooklyn. She had a fierce determination to work for racial equality and had an unwavering commitment to justice.  I was privileged to know her and serve with her and it is fitting and appropriate to re-name the Stuyvesant post office in her honor,” Senator Schumer said.

The legislation will rename the Stuyvesant Post Office on 1915 Fulton Street, which is between Howard and Ralph Avenues after Chisholm.  The post office is located in the district Chisholm represented before retiring. Towns, who now represents much of the area Chishom served, says she was definitely a tough act to follow.

"A gifted orator, Shirley's 'unbought and unbossed' political style allowed her to make friends and political alliances on both sides of the aisle.  She was truly one in a million and I am honored to have been part of her Brooklyn political circle and to have worked  along side her throughout her political career.  Anyone who came in contact with Shirley Chisholm was forever changed for the better."

The legislation must be approved by both the House and the Senate before the renaming can occur.  However, given former Congresswoman Chisholm's service, both Towns and Schumer are confident that the legislation will have wide support and gain approval this year. 

This is not the first time Towns and Schumer have worked together to rename a post office.  Last year, they successfully shepherded legislation to rename a post office after deceased, former Councilman James Davis. 

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