Hudson's Bill to Rename Spring Lake Post Office After Howard B. Pate Jr. Passes House
November 15, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2017
Hudson’s Bill to Rename Spring Lake Post Office After Howard B. Pate Jr. Passes House
SPRING LAKE, N.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement after legislation he introduced to rename the Spring Lake Post Office in honor of Howard B. Pate, Jr., Spring Lake’s late historian and former postmaster, passed the House. The legislation passed just one day after the year anniversary of Mr. Pate’s passing on November 14, 2016.
“On the first anniversary of Mr. Pate’s passing, I can’t think of a better way to honor his respected life and loyal service than to name the post office after him in a town he loved, and where he lived and served for most of his life,” said Rep. Hudson.“As any Spring Lake resident will tell you, Mr. Pate was not only a pillar of the community, but also a cherished friend. It’s my honor to work with the Town of Spring Lake to make sure he will always be a part of our past and future.”
“Howard Pate was a good man who did not seek the lime light or recognition,” said Mayor Chris V. Rey, J.D.“His sense of duty to country and his community is one that we all should strive to have. Today’s honor will never compare to the contributions he has made to the Town of Spring Lake but it is an honor well deserved. Mr. Pate not only served 31 years in the Spring Lake Post Office, he was also the first Post Master of the town. This recognition is truly fitting and I along with the Board of Alderman sincerely thank Congressman Richard Hudson for working with the Town of Spring Lake to help us honor this great man.”
Prior to House passage of the bill, Rep. Hudson spoke on the House floor to honor Mr. Pate and to urge his colleagues to support the legislation. Click here to watch.
All House of Representatives members of the North Carolina delegation signed on in support of this legislation. On April 10, 2017, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Spring Lake passed a resolution to name the Spring Lake Post Office in honor of Pate. To read the resolution, click here.
Shortly after his birth, Howard B. Pate, Jr. and his family moved to Spring Lake where his father was stationed at Fort Bragg. He joined the Army in 1944 and served in the 506th regiment of the 101th Airborne Division, and later the 82nd Airborne Division. In 1951, after a military career that included service in World War II, Pate was named Spring Lake’s postmaster where he served for 31 years. In 1994, he was named town historian, a title he held for the rest of his life. Pate was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Spring Lake for most his life, serving in many roles including Deacon, Elder and Trustee. He served as Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts receiving the Wood Badge, the Celtic Cross and Silver Beaver Award. To read his obituary, click here.
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Issues:Veterans