President Signs Etheridge Legislation Honoring Ava Gardner

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

March 21, 2006

Contact: Joanne Peters
Phone: (202) 225-4531

President Signs Etheridge Legislation Honoring Ava Gardner

WASHINGTON - On Monday President Bush signed into law U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge's (D-Lillington) legislation to name the Smithfield Post Office the "Ava Gardner Post Office," in honor of a Johnston County native and one of the world's all-time great actresses.

"I am thrilled that Smithfield's favorite daughter, Ava Gardner, will be honored with a post office in her name," said Etheridge. "Ava Gardner was a small-town girl who became a big-time celebrity. She represents the can-do attitude and patriotism of the people of Smithfield and Johnston County. In a town like Smithfield, where the post office is at the heart of the community, it is only fitting that we honor Ava Gardner in this way."

Etheridge introduced the legislation after former Smithfield Mayor Bill Jordan and the Smithfield Town Council sent him a letter urging him to do so. The legislation was cosponsored by all North Carolina members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ava Gardner was born in Johnston County, the youngest of seven children. In the summer of 1941, the Smithfield Herald told the story of Ava Gardner's trip across country to Hollywood. During her career she starred in 64 films and was the first woman from North Carolina to grace the cover of Time magazine. Ava Gardner was one of America's most accomplished actresses in the 20th century. She led the Hollywood golden age and shared the stage with such notable actors as Clark Gable, Burt Lancaster and Grace Kelly. In addition to her success on the silver screen, Ava Gardner was a leader in the fight against cancer and worked tirelessly for research funding. She served as a goodwill ambassador to people around the globe and was recognized by the U.S. Armed Forces for her public service. She died on January 25, 1990.

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