Ciscomani wants to rename Patagonia post office in honor of this former Congress member

Rep. Juan Ciscomani introduced legislation Wednesday to rename a post office in Patagonia after the late Rep. Jim Kolbe.

“Jim Kolbe lived a life of service dedicated to not only our state but our country as a whole. He represented Arizona as a true statesman, leading in foreign affairs, trade, and fiscal discipline, while staying true to his values. He continues to inspire my own service in Congress and his impactful leadership will long be remembered,” Ciscomani, R-Ariz., told The Arizona Republic.

The legislation would rename the post office at 100 N. Taylor Lane in the southern Arizona town to the Jim Kolbe Memorial Post Office. It is located in the state's 6th Congressional District, which Ciscomani represents.

Kolbe, a politically moderate Arizona Republican who died in December at the age of 80, represented Southern Arizona and Tucson in the U.S. House of Representatives for 22 years. He was a major proponent of the environment and NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Prior to Congress, Kolbe served in the Arizona Senate for six years.

Tara Kavaler is a politics reporter at The Arizona Republic. She can be reached by email at tara.kavaler@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @kavalertara.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rep. Ciscomani wants Patagonia post office renamed to honor lawmaker