WASHINGTON, D.C.—Legislation introduced by Congressman Darin LaHood to rename the Chillicothe, Illinois, U.S. post office in honor of U.S. Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator William “Ryan” Owens passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives today with unanimous approval. The bill, H.R. 3109, is co-sponsored by the entire Illinois congressional delegation. The legislation now heads to the U.S. Senate, and if passed will be sent to the President to be signed into law.
“I want to thank my colleagues for their unanimous support of our local hero, Senior Chief Ryan Owens. We will never be able to repay Ryan for making the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country and the values we hold dear, but today’s vote moves us one step closer towards honoring his legacy in his home town of Chillicothe,” stated LaHood. “I urge my Senate colleagues to swiftly take up this legislation to recognize this true American hero.”
Background:
This bill would formally rename the post office the “Sr. Chief Ryan Owens Post Office Building” in recognition of Ryan’s heroism and service to our nation. This bipartisan legislation was referred to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and passed on September 13 earlier this year. Congressman LaHood was pleased to consult with the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Navy Congressional Liaisons Office, Central Illinois Gold Star Families, and Owens’s widow on this effort.
Owens died on January 29, 2017, at the age of 36, from wounds received during a raid conducted in Yemen with the famed SEAL Team Six. He is survived by his wife, Carryn, and three young children. Owens was born and raised in central Illinois and graduated from Illinois Valley Central (IVC) High School in Chillicothe.
To view Rep. LaHood’s remarks on the bill, click HERE
