Two New Bills to Honor Former Congressmen

NEWBURGH – After the Hudson Valley lost two legendary former Congressmen over the past year and a half, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) announced two new pieces of legislation that would recognize the beloved Representatives by adding their names to local landmarks. Rep. Maloney is joined on the legislation by Rep. Peter King (R-NY), who came to Congress at the same time as Rep. Maurice Hinchey and also served alongside Rep. Gilman.

The Maurice Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area

To honor Rep. Hinchey’s commitment to our natural world, Rep. Maloney announced a bill to add Rep. Hinchey’s name to the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.

“Maurice Hinchey served with passion and dignity and real heart,” said Rep. Maloney. “There was nothing more important to Mr. Hinchey than the natural area we live in – and it’s my honor to introduce this legislation to immortalize him by adding his name to the Hudson River Valley Heritage Area that he created.”

“The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area was one of Maurice’s proudest achievements. He carried a profound love, understanding, and respect for our environment and our area’s deep cultural heritage, which he knew we needed to protect for generations. Naming the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area – a landscape that defines America – in his honor is something our family will cherish for generations to come, and we know that if he were here today, he would be incredibly humbled and proud. We sincerely thank Rep. Maloney and everyone else involved in making this happen for such an incredible tribute to Maurice’s legacy,” said the Hinchey Family in a statement.

“The Hudson River and our area’s natural resources are some of our greatest assets, and we have a duty to protect and preserve them,” said New York State Senator Sue Serino.

“Congressman Hinchey made the preservation of our environment a priority throughout his career in public service and his dedication to that cause has played a direct role in helping to preserve so much of what makes our area great. Today, I am proud to join with members of our community to honor that work, and to help build on that legacy by reaffirming our commitment to protecting preserving our natural environment so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

“The late Congressman Maurice Hinchey dedicated his life and public service to the protection of our environment,” said Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison. “It is fitting that such a beautiful area in our Hudson River Valley is dedicated in his memory that continues to live on.”

Former Rep. Maurice Hinchey died in November of 2017 after serving the Hudson Valley in Congress for years. One of his greatest legacies is his commitment to cleaning up the Hudson River and protecting the environment, including authoring the bill that established the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.

The Benjamin Gilman Post Office in Middletown
To honor Rep. Glman’s decades of service and dedication to Middletown, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney announced legislation to add Rep. Gilman’s name to the Middletown Post Office at 40 Fulton Street.

“Ben Gilman was one of the good ones – he was committed to his country and the community here in Middletown – from his time serving during World War II to his time serving in Congress,” said Rep. Maloney. “It’s my honor to introduce this bill to memorialize Rep. Gilman – who was a staunch advocate for the United States Postal Service.”

“On behalf of our entire family, I would like to thank Congressman Maloney for honoring my husband, Ben, in such a thoughtful and meaningful way,” said Georgia Gilman, Rep. Gilman’s widow. “Middletown was always the place Ben called home; it is where he got his start in politics, where he and I first met and where he learned some of the most valuable lessons of life. Most importantly, that every day was a new opportunity and at some point you should be able to do something good for someone.”

“This is an honor that would have delighted Mr. Gilman, not because of seeing his name on a building but because he so fervently believed in the ability of the Postal Service to bind our nation together,” said Rich Mayfield, District Director for Rep. Gilman. “The Postal Service is the only federal agency that touches every American and it has been that way since Ben Franklin was appointed the first Postmaster General. Many thanks to Congressman Maloney for introducing this legislation in honor of Mr. Gilman’s years in Congress. It is gratifying to know that future generations will be reminded of his hard work and love for the people of Middletown.”

“Ben Gilman was a public servant through and through,” said New York State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther. “Even with all his achievements and accolades, he never forgot where he came from, and never forgot the people he was fighting for.”

“I would like to thank Congressman Maloney for his efforts in naming the Middletown Post Office after a local political legend, Congressman Ben Gilman,” said Middletown Mayor Joe DeStefano. “Ben’s work in our community extended far beyond politics and his selfless dedication to the people of our community deserves to be recognized with this tremendous honor.”

Rep. Ben Gilman died in December of 2016, after representing the Middletown area in Congress for 30 years, including time serving as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Although he rose to national prominence in this position, Rep. Gilman was renowned for his commitment to local communities in Orange County, especially Middletown.

He served on the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee and believed that the mail was the one part of government that touched every American.