(WASHINGTON, DC) – The House passed a bill this evening originally introduced by Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District-KS) naming the Prairie Village Post Office in honor of former Kansas Senator James Blackwood Pearson.

“Senator Pearson served our state during an important and turbulent era,” said Moore. “He was a voice of reason and common sense during those difficult times, and I am proud Congress has chosen to honor him in this way.”

The House passed S. 1718, which was introduced by Senator Pat Roberts who holds Pearson’s former seat in the Senate. Moore’s resolution, H.R. 3255, had the unanimous support of the Kansas delegation with Representatives Jim Ryun, Todd Tiahrt and Jerry Moran all sponsoring the legislation.

Appointed to the U.S. Senate in 1962 upon the death of Andrew Schoeppel, Senator Pearson represented Kansas with distinction from 1962 through 1978. Elected in 1962, and reelected in 1966 and 1972, Senator Pearson was a workhouse, not a show horse. A senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee, he also rose to become ranking member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

Senator Pearson attended Duke University from 1940 through 1942, interrupting his schooling to serve as a Navy pilot based in Olathe from 1943 through 1946. After graduating from the University of Virginia Law School in 1950, he returned to Johnson County and began practice in Mission. Senator Pearson served as city attorney for Westwood, Fairway and Lenexa from 1952 through 1961 and assistant county attorney 1952 through 1954. He was a probate judge of Johnson County from 1954 through 1956. Senator Pearson began his legislative career in 1956 with his election to the Kansas State Senate.

“Naming the Prairie Village Post Office after Senator Pearson recognizes, in a small way, the important service he provided to Kansans for 16 years in the Senate,” Moore said.

The President is expected to sign the bill into law within days. At that time, the Prairie Village Post Office at 3710 W. 73rd Terrace will become the Senator James B. Pearson Post Office. Senator Pearson and his wife, Margie, divide their time between homes in Washington, D.C., Baldwin City and Gloucester, MA.