The U.S. Senate has passed Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan’s (VA-04) first standalone bill, H.R. 7385, to rename the Petersburg Post Office as the John Mercer Langston United States Postal Service Building. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk for signature.

 John Mercer Langston
 

“John Mercer Langston was a trailblazer who broke barriers for Black Americans,” McClellan stated. “He had a profound impact on the Petersburg community as president of Virginia State University and the first Black man to represent Virginia in Congress — also from Virginia’s Fourth. As the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress, I stand on his shoulders. I hope this newly renamed post office will inspire other children to learn more about Langston’s life and legacy. I commend my Senate colleagues for passing this legislation.” 

Langston, an abolitionist, attorney, diplomat, voting rights advocate and community leader, served as president of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute — now Virginia State University — from 1855 to 1857. He was the first Black man to represent Virginia in Congress. 

The Senate passed McClellan’s bill by unanimous consent.