Legislation to name Ramona Post Office for MacWilliams passes U.S. House

Legislation to name the Ramona Post Office after Nelson “Mac” MacWilliams, a Ramona resident who died last year, unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 19 and has been referred to the U.S. Senate for a vote, according to a spokesman for Congressman Duncan Hunter.

Hunter introduced the legislation, H.R. 4062, in February after Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3783 in Ramona recommended the post office be named in MacWilliams’ honor.

MacWilliams, a life member of the VFW, worked as a field representative for Hunter, covering veterans, defense, and law enforcement issues in the congressman’s El Cajon office. Prior to working at Hunter’s office, he was executive director of the Ramona Chamber of Commerce. He died in a vehicle accident on Dec. 20, 2011.

“Mac was an asset to the people of San Diego and the Ramona community, Hunter said in February. “After serving in the Navy for 22 years, Mac continued to serve the public in different ways and he was very well-known and respected for his outstanding character and commitment to helping others.”

Hunter added that John “Pontiac” Hine, former commander of Post 3783, said it best when he said, “One of Mac’s traits was that he was always on duty.”

“Naming a post office after Mac is a way of honoring his life and will serve to remind anyone who enters its doors of Mac’s service to the nation and our community,” Hunter said when he introduced the legislation.

Hunter’s Washington D.C. spokesman Joe Kasper said they are hoping the legislation will be approved by the Senate before the new Congress starts on Jan. 3. If it does not go for a Senate vote by then, the legislation will have to be reintroduced in the House, he said.