President Biden signs Rep. Kelly's bill renaming Butler Post Office into law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law H.R. 7514, a bill introduced by U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-16) to rename the Butler, Pennsylvania Post Office after Civil War hero Andrew Gomer Williams. The bill, which passed the U.S. House and U.S. Senate with unanimous consent, designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 345 South Main Street in Butler, Pennsylvania, as the "Andrew Gomer Williams Post Office Building.” The White House released a statement following President Biden’s signature.
 
"I am so pleased that my bill renaming the Butler post office after local Civil War hero, Andrew Gomer Williams, is now signed into law. I want to thank all of those who have supported and helped in this effort, including President Biden for his signature,” Rep. Kelly said. “Mr. Williams lived a life of service to his community and country, and I am proud to cement his legacy in our nation’s history."

BACKGROUND
According to Butler historian Bill May, Andrew Gomer Williams enlisted in the Union Army in 1861 at the age of 21 with the assignment to help raise three companies of men in the newly created 63rd PA Volunteers. He was soon promoted to the rank of Captain of Company E of the 63rd PA Volunteers. Mr. Williams led his company in over a dozen battles, ultimately being wounded four times, including in 1863 when he was thought to have been killed in action. However, four days later, he was miraculously found alive on the battlefield. He then carried out the rest of his service alongside his regiment until August 6, 1864.

After the war, Mr. Williams returned home to Pittsburgh to study law while working in the
factories to support his family following his father’s death. Despite 13 tragic deaths in Mr.
Williams’ own family, his dedication to his community never faltered. He opened a law firm in
Butler, served two years in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, four years in the
Pennsylvania State Senate, 20 years as the Choir Director of Butler’s First Methodist Church,
assisted soldiers’ spouses in receiving their Civil War Widow’s Pension, and volunteered on the
Board of Directors of the Civil War Orphans Home.

A speech given by Bill May on the life of Andrew Gomer Williams was inserted into the Congressional Record on June 16, 2021. The Congressional Record can be found here.