Bill to Name Houston Post Office to in Honor of Vanessa Guillén Passes the House, Headed to President Biden’s Desk for Signature

Washington D.C. – Today, a bill championed by Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) to rename the post office on Galveston Road in Houston after her constituent, US Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén, passed the House and is now heading to President Biden's desk for signature. The brutal murder of Vanessa at the hands of another soldier sparked a national movement across the country – leading to historic military justice reform that moved sexual assault and harassment investigations outside of the military's chain of command.

"This local post office building will soon provide Houston area residents with another special way to remember our local hero SPC Vanessa Guillén in our everyday lives," said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. "Vanessa was a strong and ambitious young woman who was taken from her family and Houston much too soon. However, because of her, countless veterans and service members can live without fear. I hope this post office renaming brings some comfort to Vanessa's family and loved ones."

"It is an honor to have the post office named on behalf of our loved one, Vanessa Guillén. It will remind the Houston community of her memory and legacy," said the Guillén family. "Thank you, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, for all the hard work and dedication to our family. We are very honored and joyful to see this second bill in her name as it shows how important Vanessa's life is as her only desire was to serve and protect our country, unfortunately, her life was taken but we know her legacy will live on forever. A big thank you to all Congress members that continue to support us. May God bless."

The bill renames the postal office, located at 5302 Galveston Road, in Houston, Texas, as the Vanessa Guillén Post Office Building. This post office is only a few blocks away from César Chávez High School – which is where she graduated from high school before enlisting in the United States Army.

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary, Financial Services, and Armed Services Committees.