Legislation Designating the Vel R. Phillips Post Office Building in Milwaukee Passes the Senate
"Vel contributed so much at every level and paved the way for other Wisconsinites to help make a difference in people's lives."
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the Senate passed legislation designating the U.S. Post Office located at 2650 North Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Drive in Milwaukee as the “Vel R. Phillips Post Office Building.”
“Vel contributed so much at every level and paved the way for other Wisconsinites to help make a difference in people’s lives,” said Senator Baldwin. “She was a leader in engaging the Milwaukee grassroots in dialogue with the Community Brainstorming conference and she encouraged everyone to join her on the march for social justice. Vel had a lifelong passion of doing right by others, and I’m proud to honor her memory and do right by her and her family by designating this Milwaukee building in her name.”
Senators Baldwin and Ron Johnson introduced legislation in September to secure this designation at the Post Office location on MLK Drive. A companion bill, led by Congresswoman Gwen Moore, passed in the House of Representatives in September. After passing the Senate on Thursday, this legislation honoring Milwaukee’s pioneering civil rights activist who passed away earlier this year, now heads to the President’s desk.
Velvalea “Vel” Phillips was the first woman judge in Milwaukee County and the first African American elected to the Milwaukee Common Council and to statewide office in Wisconsin. Following Vel’s passing in April, Senator Baldwin authored a resolution in the Congressional Record to honor her life of public service and her many contributions to the state of Wisconsin and as a civil rights leader.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin
Baldwin Votes to Boost Passenger Safety, Protect Consumers, and Support Aviation Workforce in Bipartisan FAA Bill
May 10th, 2024 by U.S. Sen. Tammy BaldwinBaldwin secured key provisions to connect veterans with aviation jobs, phase out PFAS firefighting foam, and protect against foreign security threats in bill
Senators Baldwin, Casey, Collins Introduce ‘Esther’s Law’ to Ban Deadly Water Beads and Protect Kids
May 9th, 2024 by U.S. Sen. Tammy BaldwinBill named for 10-month-old Esther Jo Bethard of North Prairie, WI, who passed away after swallowing a stray water bead
Baldwin Announces Over $17.7 Million to Tackle Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis in Wisconsin
May 7th, 2024 by U.S. Sen. Tammy BaldwinWisconsin receives increased funding following the passage of Baldwin-led legislation