Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
Post offices would honor former Congressman Martin Sabo, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Charles W. “Chuck” Lindberg, and Officer Leo Pavlak
Representatives Angie Craig and Ilhan Omar led the passage of companion legislation in the House. Bills now go to President’s desk to be signed into law
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that their bicameral bills to rename three post offices in the Twin Cities in honor of distinguished Minnesotans have passed the Senate. The Minneapolis Post Office would be renamed in honor of former Congressman Martin Sabo; the Richfield Post Office would be renamed in honor of U.S. Marine Corps veteran Charles W. “Chuck” Lindberg, who served during World War Two and helped raise the first American flag at Iwo Jima; and the South St. Paul Post Office would be renamed after Officer Leo Pavlak, the only South St. Paul Police Officer to have lost his life in the line of duty.
Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) first introduced the legislation in the House to rename the Minneapolis and Richfield Post Offices, and Representative Angie Craig (D-MN)first introduced the legislation to rename the South St. Paul Post Office. The bills now go to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
“Martin Sabo was a dear friend and mentor who tirelessly championed the Twin Cities for 28 years in Congress. Charles Lindberg served our country with distinction during World War II, receiving a Silver Star for his valor. Officer Leo Pavlak lost his life in service to his community just four months after beginning his career in law enforcement,” said Klobuchar. “By renaming the Minneapolis, Richfield, and South St. Paul post offices in their honor, we are paying tribute to their legacies and helping Minnesotans keep their memories alive for generations to come. Thank you to Representatives Craig and Omar for leading this effort in the House.”
“Martin Sabo, Officer Pavlak, and Charles Lindberg dedicated their lives to the people of this country and the great state of Minnesota,” said Smith. “Their dedication and public service impacted countless lives, and by honoring them in the renaming the post offices of Minneapolis, South St. Paul, and Richfield we celebrate the legacy they left behind.”
“In 1933, South St. Paul Officer Leo Pavlak lost his life protecting his community – and in the 89 years since his death, Leo’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have continued building the impressive Pavlak legacy in the Minnesota law enforcement community,” said Craig. “I’m grateful to my Minnesota colleagues, Senator Klobuchar and Senator Smith, for seeing this bill across the finish line in the Senate – and I can’t wait to see it signed into law to honor the service of the Pavlak family and the entire South St. Paul law enforcement community.”
“I am thrilled that the Senate was able to pass my bills honoring Rep. Martin Sabo and Chuck Lindberg,” said Omar. “As one of the marines who raised the first American flag over Iwo Jima, he dedicated his life to raising awareness of the first flag-raising and the sacrifices made by veterans throughout the war. Rep. Sabo built a career standing up for low-income families and the middle class throughout Minnesota. Together they represent the proud history of Minnesota’s 5th District, I particularly want to thank Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Tina Smith for their commitment to advancing these bills and continued partnership.”
Former Congressman Martin Sabo represented Minnesota’s 5th district from 1979 to 2007. He served as Chairman of the House Budget Committee, playing a key role in passing legislation that erased the U.S. budget deficit, and also sat on the House Appropriations Committee.
U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Charles W. “Chuck” Lindberg was a member of the patrol that captured Mount Suribachi following the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. He helped raise the first American flag on Iwo Jima, but was in combat when the famous Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima photograph was taken hours later when a second, larger flag was raised.
Officer Leo Pavlak was a member of the South Saint Paul Police Department who lost his life during a payroll robbery by the Barker-Karpis gang in August 1933, only four months after joining the Police Department. His grandson, Robert Pavlak Jr., is the former Commander of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office.
###