DeSaulnier Effort to Rename Richmond Post Office in Honor of Dedicated Civil Servant Passes House

Washington, D.C. – Today, legislation authored by Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) to rename the Nevin Avenue Post Office in Richmond, California as the “Harold D. McCraw, Sr., Post Office Building” (H.R. 606) unanimously passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives. Harold D. McCraw, Sr. was a distinguished and dedicated civil servant, who began working for the Richmond Post Office in 1965 and served the United States Postal Service for 45 years. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

“Renaming the Nevin Avenue Post Office in honor of Harold D. McCraw Sr. is a fitting tribute to honor his unwavering commitment and service to the United States Postal Service and the community of Richmond,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “In many ways, Mr. McCraw’s hard work, compassion, and dedication are emblematic of Richmond residents. Naming this building in his honor puts those values on display in the heart of the community.”

“The Downtown Richmond Post Office is an important public resource that Congressman DeSaulnier and I have fought hard to preserve,” said Mayor Tom Butt. “Our residents greatly value the importance of racial equity and resilience which is echoed by the renaming of this landmark in honor of Mr. McCraw. During this period of chaos and fear in Washington D.C. I am heartened to see the Richmond Post Office stand as a symbol of our community’s leadership.”

“I am so overwhelmed and so happy that this bill is moving forward,” said Annie Jones, sister of Harlod D. McCraw. “My family will be so excited to see Harold’s name on the post office—it was a place my brother truly loved.”

Mr. McCraw not only served as Richmond Postmaster, but was also an active member of the Richmond community, serving on various boards and commissions, and starting the East Bay Chapter of the National Association of Postmasters of the United States (NAPUS). He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Richmond Community Social Services Corporation, where he facilitated the development of a child care facility that has expanded to five locations and cares for hundreds of children. Harold’s contributions helped make the community of Richmond a more just and fair place to live.

Earlier this year, Congressman DeSaulnier played an active role in saving the Nevin Avenue Post Office building from being sold. After urging the United States Post Office to reconsider their plans to sell the building, issuing public comment opposing the plan, and working with the Mayor and the City of Richmond to explore purchasing the post office to keep it in public use, Congressman DeSaulnier was informed in July of 2018 that all plans to sell the building have been halted.

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