Morelle joins in dedicating Fairport post office in honor of Louise and Bob Slaughter
Congresswoman Slaughter’s Congressional District included part of Orleans County from 2002 to 2012
Photo from Congressman Joe Morelle’s office: Congressman Joe Morelle, left, applauds during Monday’s ceremony where the post office in Fairport was named in honor of Louise and Bob Slaughter.
Press Release, Congressman Joe Morelle
FAIRPORT – Congressman Joe Morelle on Monday joined the US Postal Service, family members, friends, and former colleagues in dedicating the Fairport post office in memory of Louise and Bob Slaughter on the Congresswoman’s birthday.
“Louise Slaughter was a genuine force of nature, and Bob was right there with her making the Earth move,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I will always be grateful for the privilege of following in her formidable footsteps and I take great pride in delivering this tribute. It is my hope the Louise and Bob Slaughter Post Office will forever stand in memory of their commitment to public service, and love for their community.”
In 1957, Bob and Louise Slaughter made their home in Fairport, NY. Bob Slaughter served his country as a U.S. Airforce veteran and would go on to retire from Kodak in 1991 becoming a self-taught sailor and woodworking aficionado. Following elections to both the Monroe County Legislature, and New York State Assembly—Louise Slaughter went on to represent the Rochester area in Congress for 16 terms prior to her passing in 2018. Serving as the respected Dean of the New York Congressional Delegation, Congresswoman Slaughter was the first and only woman to chair the powerful Rules Committee in Congress. They were married for 57 years.
“Louise and Bob were each other’s rock and that rock was firmly planted in Fairport, NY,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “Fairport is the place they raised their family, supported their neighbors, and began their lifelong passion for public service — beginning with Bob’s founding of the People’s Power Coalition to fight for affordable utility rates, and Louise’s push to preserve Hart’s Wood, a passion that would ignite her trailblazing career. This dedication is very fitting because every time I had the honor of being with Louise in her hometown, it was like a family reunion. She loved and was beloved by her community because she spent every single hour fighting, with everything she had, and with Bob at her side, to make the lives of her constituents better.”
“Congresswoman Slaughter was a tremendous leader for Rochester, with an exemplary record of getting things done for New Yorkers over a long and dedicated career,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “The dedication of the Louise and Bob Slaughter Post Office in their hometown of Fairport is a fitting tribute for this family that held great admiration and respect for their community. I was proud to support the bill for renaming the post office in honor of Louise and her loving husband Bob, and I hope it serves as a testament to her advocacy and service.”
In 2018, and joined by the entirety of New York’s Congressional delegation, Congressman Joe Morelle introduced HR 540, the Louise and Bob Slaughter Post Office Act, renaming Fairport’s 770 Ayrault Road facility in their honor.
