Virginia Beach Post Office to be Renamed for WWII Veteran Colonel Edward Shames

This bill is a straightforward piece of administrative business that officially renames the United States Postal Service facility at 1225 Kempsville Road in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Once passed, the building will be known as the 'Colonel Edward Shames Post Office Building.' Beyond the physical sign change, the legislation mandates that any federal law, map, regulation, or official document referring to this specific location must use the new name moving forward.

A New Landmark in Virginia Beach

For the average person living in Virginia Beach or stopping by the Kempsville Road location to drop off a package, the day-to-day experience won't change—your mail will still get where it’s going. However, the bill serves as a permanent federal tribute to Colonel Edward Shames, a notable local figure and World War II veteran. By codifying this in Section 1, the government ensures that the name change isn't just a local gesture but a formal update to the federal registry. If you’re a local business owner or resident who uses this address for official records, you’ll eventually see this name reflected in government databases and mapping services like those provided by the USGS.

Paperwork and Procedures

The rollout of this change is primarily internal to the federal government. Section 1 of the bill specifically targets 'references' in federal documents, meaning the heavy lifting happens in the archives and administrative offices of the USPS and other agencies. While it’s a low-impact bill for the national economy, it’s a high-precision move for government record-keeping. It ensures that there is no ambiguity in legal documents regarding which facility is being discussed, effectively swapping the old street-address-only designation for a formal honorary title across all bureaucratic channels.