To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1200 William Street, Room 200, in Buffalo, New York, as the "William J. Donovan Post Office Building".
H.R. 1706 – Naming the Buffalo, NY USPS facility as the "William J. Donovan Post Office Building"
119th Congress
This bill gives an official name to a specific United States Postal Service building in Buffalo, New York. It designates the facility at 1200 William Street, Room 200, as the “William J. Donovan Post Office Building.” It does not change how the post office operates or provides services.
- Bill Number
- HR1706
- Chamber
- house
What This Bill Does
The bill officially names the U.S. Postal Service facility at 1200 William Street, Room 200, in Buffalo, New York, as the “William J. Donovan Post Office Building.” This is a legal designation placed into federal law. It also says that any mention of this facility in laws, maps, rules, documents, or other federal records will now be treated as a reference to the “William J. Donovan Post Office Building.” The bill does not change postal services, staffing, or funding; it only changes the name used in official references.
Why It Matters
Naming a federal building in law creates a lasting way to honor a specific person, in this case William J. Donovan. The name will appear in official records, maps, and signs for the building. For people who use or work at this post office, the main visible change would be the building’s official name on signs and in federal documents. The bill does not state any direct effects on mail services, hours, or costs, so any broader impact beyond the symbolic naming is unclear.
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Arguments
Arguments in support
- Provides formal recognition and honor to William J. Donovan through a permanent federal building name.
- Helps the local community in Buffalo, New York, remember and identify the contributions of a person tied to the building’s name.
- Uses an existing, limited tool of Congress that does not change services or impose new regulations.
- Creates a clear, consistent name for the facility in all federal documents and maps, which can reduce confusion.
Arguments against
- Uses congressional time and attention on a symbolic naming measure rather than on broader policy issues.
- Sets a precedent for naming federal facilities after individuals, which some may view as unnecessary or overly common.
- May be questioned by those who believe buildings should keep neutral, location-based names instead of honoring people.
- Could raise concerns if some people disagree with honoring the specific individual named, depending on their views of William J. Donovan’s legacy.
Key Facts
- Gives the USPS facility at 1200 William Street, Room 200, in Buffalo, New York, the official name “William J. Donovan Post Office Building.”
- Requires that all federal laws, maps, regulations, documents, and other records that refer to this facility treat it as the “William J. Donovan Post Office Building.”
- Does not change postal operations, services, or authorities; it only provides a formal name designation.
- Uses standard naming-language commonly applied to federal postal facilities in prior naming bills.
Gotchas
- The bill’s legal effect is limited to the building’s name in federal law and records; it does not direct funds for renovations, signage, or other physical changes, which would be handled separately if needed.
- Any future references in new or amended federal laws to this facility will need to use or recognize the new name, but this does not restrict Congress from later renaming the building again by passing another law.
Full Bill Text
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