House Committee Advances Representative Angie Craig’s Legislation to Rename Local Post Office After Fallen South St. Paul Police Officer

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Oversight Committee unanimously advanced U.S. Representative Angie Craig’s bill to rename the South St. Paul Post Office in honor of fallen South St. Paul Police Officer Leo Pavlak. After only four months on the force, Officer Pavlak was killed during a robbery on August 30, 1933. He is the only South St. Paul Police Officer to have been killed in the line of duty.

“Officer Pavlak lost his life protecting his community – and since then, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren have continued building upon his legacy as they pursue careers in law enforcement themselves. This bill gives us a unique opportunity to honor the life, legacy and service of Officer Pavlak and his entire family,” said Representative Craig. “I’m thrilled the House has advanced this important bill – and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get it over the finish line.”

Representative Craig’s bill is part of a bipartisan, bicameral effort to honor Officer Pavlak. Earlier this month, Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith introduced a companion bill in the Senate. Craig, Klobuchar and Smith were joined in introducing this legislation by their colleagues in the Minnesota delegation – Representatives Dean Phillips, Betty McCollum, Ilhan Omar, Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach, Brad Finstad and Pete Stauber. The legislation is also supported by the Pavlak family and local leaders in South St. Paul.

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