Washington, DC – U. S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer announced that the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs has passed their legislation to rename the Lasinburgh Post Office in Troy in honor of World War II Veteran Martin G. ‘Marty’ Mahar who passed away in 2007 after a distinguished life as a soldier, veteran and community leader.
Congressman Paul Tonko sponsored a companion version of the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives in January of 2010, and the House of Representatives passed the legislation on February 22nd . Today’s approval by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is a positive step forward for the bill. Senators Gillibrand and Schumer will soon bring it to the floor of the U.S. Senate , where they will push to get it passed in short order. After the full Senate passes the bill, it will go to the President’s desk for signature.
“Marty Mahar represented the very best of Troy and all of New York,” Senator Gillibrand said. “He served his community and country with honor, integrity and dignity. Naming the Lansingburgh Post Office after him will honor his legacy in the community he loved and served so well.”
“Marty Mahar deserves to be honored for his lifetime of service to our country and to the people of the Capital Region,” Senator Schumer said. “Naming this post office in his memory will allow the citizens of Troy to remember his great example of courage and patriotism.”
Mr. Mahar was born, raised, and lived in Troy, New York for most of his life. He served in World War II as a Marine in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. For his tour of duty, he received four Battle Stars, a Presidential Unit Citation, and a Purple Heart (at Iwo Jima). He was in the inaugural class of the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. After serving his country, he was involved in many veterans’ organizations.
Mr. Mahar joined the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier in 1955. He retired in 1983 and had a long career serving as a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).
Mr. Mahar was also a respected community leader. He was Mayor of Troy from 1990-1991. He was also a member of the Troy City Council for 10 years.