District of Columbia Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) has introduced a new bill aimed at renaming a Northeast D.C. post office in honor of the late Chuck Brown, famously known as the ‘Godfather of Go-Go.’
The proposed legislation would designate the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 3401 12th Street NE as the ‘Chuck Brown Post Office.’ Norton expressed that this decision not only recognizes Brown’s immense influence on the local music scene but also underscores his strong advocacy for D.C. statehood.
‘Chuck Brown gave D.C. a unique hometown sound that was distinctly our own,’ Norton stated. ‘Go-go is the beat of D.C., giving D.C. its own musical identity and reminding the nation that D.C. has always been the hometown of talented artists.’
The legacy of Chuck Brown, who passed away in 2012, includes the self-taught guitar skills that propelled him to release 22 studio albums throughout his career. He earned a Grammy nomination in 2010 and was honored with the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 2005.
Norton highlighted a notable moment from 2010 when Brown performed at a statehood rally on the Capitol Grounds, emphasizing Brown’s lifelong commitment to his city.
‘He loved the District,’ Norton remarked, adding that naming a post office after Brown is a fitting tribute to honor his contributions.
This legislative move comes amid ongoing speculation regarding Norton’s own political future. Although she has publicly declared her intention to seek reelection, her office has issued contradictory statements about whether a final decision has been made. In communications on June 10 and June 25, Norton was quoted affirmatively, saying, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna run for reelection.’ However, subsequent statements from her office suggested that she was still weighing her options with family and close advisers.
At 88 years old, Norton has represented the District in Congress since 1991 and remains one of its most senior figures, continuing her advocacy for D.C. statehood. Her impressive career includes being appointed by President Jimmy Carter as the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 1977, alongside her legacy as a civil rights pioneer and law professor.
As a legislator, Norton has played a significant role in advancing infrastructure projects, economic development, and efforts for greater autonomy for the District. She has secured tuition assistance for D.C. high school graduates pursuing higher education, introduced a $5,000 homebuyer tax credit that stimulated local homeownership, and facilitated the creation of thousands of jobs through various federal initiatives.
Norton currently holds the position of Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, in addition to serving on the Oversight and Reform Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Commenting on her influence, one social media user on X, previously known as Twitter, noted, ‘Eleanor Holmes Norton is one of the few old Democrats that actually does good things.’
In closing her statement on the Chuck Brown post office legislation, Norton reminded us of D.C.’s vibrant culture and its ongoing struggles for representation: ‘We’ll never forget the free concert in 2010 Chuck Brown played in front of the Capitol for D.C. statehood and voting rights.’
image source from：washingtoninformer
