The future
Benjamin Gilman Post Office?
MIDDLETOWN – Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney was in Poughkeepsie and Middletown on Friday to honor two late former House members.
Maloney announced in the Town of Poughkeepsie that he has introduced
legislation to add Democrat Rep. Maurice Hinchey’s name to the Hudson
River Valley National Heritage Area. Hinchey wrote the bill to create
that region.
The congressman 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, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and former Gilman staffer Richard Mayfield.
Maloney noted Gilman, a Republican, 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,” Maloney said. “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.”
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.
