 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
News
Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina
August 2, 2005
Contact:
Joanne Peters
Phone:
(202) 225-4531
SMITHFIELD -- U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) announced today that he has introduced legislation in Congress to rename 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. Etheridge made the announcement at the Ava Gardner museum and was joined by Smithfield Mayor Bill Jordan; Postmaster Gloria Parker; City Manager Pete Connett; Ava Gardner museum director Angela Lawson; relatives of Ava Gardner, Mary Edna Granthom and David Creech; and members of the Ava Gardner Museum Board of Directors.
Etheridge introduced the legislation after Mayor Jordan and the Smithfield Town Council sent him a letter urging him to do so. The legislation is cosponsored by all North Carolina members of the U.S. House of Representatives. It must be passed by the House and the Senate to become law.
"I am proud to be launching this effort in honor of Ava Gardner not only because she is a native of our great state, but because of her accomplishments and the lives she touched around the world," said Etheridge. "In a town like Smithfield, you often see your friends and neighbors at the post office. It is the kind of place where people say hello and get caught up on what is happening around town. It is very fitting then that today the Smithfield community joins me in support of naming the Smithfield Post Office, a building at the center of the community, in honor of Smithfield's favorite daughter, Ava Gardner."
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 passed away on January 25, 1990 of double pneumonia.
-30-
| About Bob Etheridge | Constituent Services | Contact Bob | Email Bob | Home |
| Just for Children | Legislative Issues | The 2nd District | Press Room | Visit Washington |