Middletown Post Office is expected to be renamed in honor of the
late Rep. Benjamin Gilman
MIDDLETOWN – Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney was in Poughkeepsie
and Middletown on Friday to honor two decreased former House members.
Maloney announced in the Town of Poughkeepsie that he has introduced legislation
to add Rep. Maurice Hinchey’s name to the Hudson River Valley National
Heritage area. Hinchey wrote the bill to create that region.
Maloney then traveled to Middletown to announce legislation to name the
Middletown Post Office as the Benjamin Gilman Post Office.
“We could use more Ben Gilmans in Congress right now,” Maloney
said while at Middletown City Hall surrounded by Mayor Joseph DeStefano,
State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and former Gilman staffer Richard Mayfield.
Maloney noted Gilman was a major player on the world stage, but still
was grounded.
“What distinguished his service was, of course, his extraordinary
work in international relations and foreign affairs. Congressman Gilman
understood the world the way few members of Congress have ever understood
it and made significant contributions in terms of our foreign policy in
South Asia, particularly our relationship with India. But the thing I
always hear about Congressman Gilman was that he was a champion for his
constituents,” Maloney said.
Gunther said Gilman was her “role model.” DeStefano characterized
him as a hard worker and a compassionate individual.
Mayfield said the hallmark of Gilman’s government service was working
for the people.
