Congressman introduces bill to rename Spring Lake post office

SPRING LAKE — U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson has introduced a bill to rename the Spring Lake post office in honor of the late town historian and former postmaster.

Hudson, whose 8th District includes Spring Lake, especially values Howard Pate Jr.’s dedication to the nation as a member of the Armed Forces.

All House of Representatives members of the North Carolina delegation signed on in support of Hudson’s legislation, according to a news release from Hudson’s office.

Pate, who made his home and served in the Spring Lake community most of his life, died following a short illness on Nov. 14. He was 90.

“I can’t think of a better way to honor the respected life and loyal service of Mr. Pate than to name the post office after him in a town he loved, and where he lived and served for most of his life,” Hudson said. “As any Spring Lake resident will tell you, Mr. Pate was not only a pillar of the community, but also a cherished friend. He worked tirelessly to ensure we kept a strong grip on our past. It’s my honor to work to make sure he will always be a part of our past and future.”

On April 10, Spring Lake Mayor Chris Rey and the town’s Board of Aldermen passed a resolution to name the Spring Lake post office in honor of Pate.

On Tuesday, Rey said Hudson had asked the town to provide a resolution showing that municipal leaders supported the idea. “Before he submitted the bill, the resolution on the congressional floor,” Rey said, “he needed to be able to prove the town of Spring Lake was in support of renaming the post office.”

He said Pate is very much deserving of the honor.

“He was the town’s first postmaster general,” Rey said. “I think with all the things he has done, being historian of the town, keeping records of who we were all these years, it was just fitting. He came to the council meetings. He always engaged in the town.”

Pate is remembered as a kind man, always willing to help out his fellow man.