Congresswoman Bustos’ Legislation to Rename the Post Office in Alpha, Illinois after Fallen Hero Captain Joshua E. Steele Passes in the House
WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation that Congresswoman Bustos introduced to designate the U.S. Post Office at 108 D Street in Alpha, Illinois, as the “Captain Joshua E. Steele Post Office.” Captain Steele was an American hero who was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 17, 2007 while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. Bustos introduced this legislation as a way to recognize and commemorate his sacrifice back in his community.
Bustos’ bill to rename the Alpha Post Office in honor of Captain Steele will now move to the Senate for the next steps in the legislative process.
“I am proud to pass legislation that honors one of our own fallen heroes, whose devotion to our nation is beyond measure,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “While Capt. Steele continues to live in the hearts of everyone who knew him, my hope is that this designation will serve as an enduring reminder to the hardworking families in Alpha to honor his courage and his sacrifice for generations to come.”
Captain Joshua E. Steele always stood out as an intelligent, driven and loyal young man. Capt. Steele was raised on his family farm in North Henderson, Illinois. He always had a strong interest in geology which he applied to his studies. In 2002, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Missouri-Rolla with a degree in geological engineering. Capt. Steele knew that he wanted to serve from a young age and, in December of that same year, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. After being deployed in Iraq and the Republic of Georgia, Capt. Steele was deployed to Afghanistan in January 2007. At the age of 26, during this deployment, Captain Steele was killed by a roadside bomb in Panjway, Afghanistan on June 17, 2007, while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. Capt. Steele was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
***Report Courtesy of Congresswoman Cheri Bustos***
