The U.S. Senate passed a bill today that would rename the post office in Florissant, at 11001 Dunklin Drive, after retired U.S. Rep. William L. Clay Sr.

The office would officially be named the ”William ‘Bill’ Clay Post Office Building.”

A similar bill also has passed the House. President George w. Bush is expected to sign it.

In the Senate, Democrat Claire McCaskill and Republican Christopher “Kit” Bond introduced the bill. A release said the post office was being renamed as ”a tribute” to Clay, who served in Congress for 32 years.

 Clay was Missouri’s first African-American congressman, and for much of his tenure, he was the state’s only black member of Congress.

Earlier, he served on the St. Louis Board of Aldermen.

A key tenet for Clay was the importance of civil rights and eradicating racial discrimination.  He was a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus and the chairman of the House Committee on the Post Office and Civil Service.

“I’m proud the Senate passed this bill so quickly, and am looking forward to seeing it signed into law.  Bill Clay’s long-standing support of the United States Postal Service makes this an appropriate tribute for his years of service to the St. Louis community,” McCaskill said.

 “Bill Clay spent a lifetime fighting for this community and civil rights across the nation.  Today we ensure that future generations will recognize his important contributions,” said Bond.

The identical measure in the House was introduced by Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis; William “Lacy” Clay, Jr., D-St. Louis; Ike Skelton, D-Lexington; Jerry Costello, D-Belleville; Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau; Todd Akin, R-Town and Country; and Emanuel Cleaver, D-Kansas City.