At the end of August, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, introduced a new bipartisan U.S. House resolution — HR 9421 — that if approved will officially rename the U.S. Postal Service office in Bucoda the Mayor Rob Gordon Post Office in honor of the town’s late mayor.
The resolution is now one step closer to approval after the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability unanimously approved the bipartisan bill, according to a news release from Gluesenkamp Perez’s office. Additionally, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners has issued a joint statement in support of HR 9421.
“Mayor Gordon was a friend to many in Thurston County and exemplified the true meaning of servant leadership,” the commissioners said in the joint statement. “As a lifelong volunteer firefighter for the Town of Bucoda, Mayor Gordon served his community and protected the safety of his fellow Bucoda residents. As a town council member and then as mayor, he was a strong advocate for his community and fought hard to ensure that the town of 587 people was not forgotten about. As mayor, he worked to replace asbestos water pipes to improve the safety of the drinking water. He advocated for tourism opportunity and was a strong supporter of the annual ‘Boo-coda’ event, which brought thousands to the town, and he was (a) fighter for public safety. If there is anyone who is worthy of this recognition, it is Mayor Gordon.”
The post office is located at 108 N. Main St. in Bucoda.
Along with being mayor, Robert “Rob” Gordon, 42, also served as a firefighter, working his way up to be the Bucoda Fire Department’s assistant chief. Rob also operated his own trucking company and the family’s ranch in town.
He died last June following a nearly eight-month battle with cancer. He is survived by his two children, Jakob and Anna Gordon, and his wife, Miriam Gordon. Miriam was recently selected to serve on the Bucoda Town Council.
“Rob served the town of Bucoda selflessly and proudly for many years as a firefighter, assistant fire chief, councilman and then mayor,” Miriam said in the release. “He went above and beyond in all he did to make the town a better place for all of its residents. He wanted to make sure it would once again be a place where children, especially his own Jakob and Anna, could ride bikes and play without worry. He loved this small town and gave so much of himself and time to it. I don’t think anyone would disagree with me in saying Rob became the backbone of this town in the short time he was given. He would never expect anything like this and, being the humble man he was, he would shy away from it. However, I know if he was here now he would be extremely honored to have the town’s post office named after him. Jakob, Anna, myself and Rob’s family are very thankful for what everyone has done to honor and remember Rob, especially this. Thank you.”
During his time as mayor, Rob worked closely with Gluesenkamp Perez to obtain federal funding to purchase a new fire engine to replace the aging engine currently used by the Bucoda Fire Department. She is still working to get that funding for the new engine through congressional community project funding.
“Mayor Gordon was the epitome of a servant leader, with an incredible work ethic and impact on our community that cannot be understated. He represents the best of Southwest Washington — serving as a firefighter since the age of 16, maintaining his haul trucks himself, and passing on important skills and values to his children,” Gluesenkamp Perez said. “Rob was tough, fair-minded and always gave people the opportunity to be the best version of themselves. His passing is a true loss for our community, but his life of service and dedication will remain forever. I’m grateful to have had the chance to know and work alongside him — and by renaming Bucoda’s post office, we can help preserve his legacy and inspire future generations of leaders.”
HR 9421’s cosponsors include U.S. Reps. Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Dan Newhouse, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith and Marilyn Strickland.
To read HR 9421, visit https://bit.ly/3zi1WyA.
