Jimi Hendrix Post Office Renaming Passes Congress

WASHINGTON — Stone-free legislation is now headed to the president’s desk as the Senate approved by unanimous consent a bill honoring Jimi Hendrix with his own post office.

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) introduced in July the bill to rename the post office at 4301 NE 4th Street in Renton, Wash., the James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix Post Office. The legendary guitarist, who passed away in 1970 at age 27, is buried a few blocks away at Greenwood Memorial Park. He also grew up in a home on the same street.

Smith said today that his bill “will further celebrate Hendrix’s deep connection to the Puget Sound region and help ensure that his creative legacy will be remembered by our community and inspire future generations.”

Bills to rename post offices usually get shuffled through Congress without fanfare, sometimes passing on a voice vote instead of roll call. Per custom, all of the other members of the Washington state delegation are on board with the Hendrix bill.

“Jimi Hendrix is one of the most influential American artists of all time. This Seattle native son, is truly one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century. In honor of his memory and service to our country, it is truly fitting that we move forward in naming the United States Postal Service located at 4301 Northeast 4th Street in Renton, Washington, as the James Marshall ‘Jimi’ Hendrix Post Office Building,” said Michelle Merriweather, the president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. “The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle strongly supports this effort and applauds Congress for reminding those that patron this facility that his legacy lives on and his memory is etched in the fabric of our country and community.”

Earlier this year, President Trump signed a bill from House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) designating a Bakersfield, Calif., mail center the Merle Haggard Post Office Building. Last summer, he signed a bill from Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) naming a post office across the street from the University of Southern California after Marvin Gaye.

In 2016, several Republican congressman voted against a bill — which overwhelmingly passed — to name a North Carolina post office after poet Maya Angelou.