FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 21, 2008

Bishop, Chambliss, Isakson, Praise Senate Approval of Legislation to Rename Albany Post Office in Honor of First African-American Chief of Staff of Albany Hospital

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., and U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., praised Senate approval of legislation to rename the main U.S. Post Office in Albany, Ga., in honor of the late Dr. Walter Carl Gordon Jr., a military veteran who was the first African-American chief of staff at Phoebe Putney Hospital in Albany. The legislation now goes to the President for his signature.

“Dr. Walter Carl Gordon, Jr. served Albany and the nation in so many ways throughout his distinguished career,” said Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. “He was a trailblazer for African-Americans in the medical profession as well as a leader and a healer for the entire community. It is entirely fitting that we honor his life and service by renaming the main post office in Albany in his honor.”

“This is such a special way to honor Dr. Gordon’s distinguished military career and his commitment not only to the Phoebe Putney Hospital, but also his countless contributions to the entire medical community,” said Chambliss.

“The lives of countless soldiers and citizens were saved through Dr. Gordon’s pioneering medical efforts. Naming this post office after him is one small way to honor his achievements in medicine and his distinguished military service to our country,” Isakson said.

The legislation, H.R. 6859, introduced in the House on September 10, 2008, by Congressman Bishop, will rename the U.S. Post Office located at 1501 South Slappey Boulevard in Albany, Georgia, as the “Dr. Walter Carl Gordon, Jr. Post Office Building.” The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives on September 27, 2008, by unanimous consent with support from the entire Georgia House delegation.

Dr. Walter Carl Gordon Jr., was the first African-American Chief of Staff at Phoebe Putney Hospital in Albany, staff physician at the Albany VA Community Clinic and a 25-year military veteran, serving with distinction in Korea and Vietnam as well as Operation Desert Shield. His military career is reflected in his three Army Commendation Medals, the Legion of Merit and the National Defense Service Medal. Dr. Gordon, an Albany native, pioneered several surgical techniques during his tours of duty and was the first African-American to graduate from a surgical residency at the Walter Reed Army Hospital. Following his military discharge, he returned to Albany and was accepted on to the medial staff at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Before his death in January 2008, Dr. Gordon served his community, state and nation with distinction as the founder and board member of a variety of service-oriented organizations.

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