Bill would recognize former mayor

U.S. Sens. Evan Bayh and Richard Lugar have proposed a bill to the Senate to change the name of Bloomington's Woodbridge Post Office to the Francis X. McCloskey Post Office Building, in honor of the former Bloomington mayor and U.S. congressman. McCloskey, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer in September 2002, died Sunday. \nCongressman Baron Hill proposed the bill in the House of Representatives. McCloskey served on the post office and Civil Service Committee during his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 1980s and was instrumental in Woodbridge's construction. \nNick Weber, press secretary for Lugar's office in Indianapolis, said Lugar, R-Ind., felt the tribute was fitting for such an honorable official. \n"It leaves a lasting mark for a legacy of a public official who has given a large quantity of time and energy to the community, first as a mayor and then as a congressman," Weber said. "It will be something that will be preserved for many years to come, and maybe people who didn't know the congressman will learn a little bit about him."\nMeg Keck, Bayh's Washington, D.C., press secretary, said the senator echoed Lugar's reasoning since McCloskey's notable contributions began in Bloomington.\n"Sen. Bayh (D-Ind.) is proud to work with Congressman (Baron) Hill and Sen. Lugar in renaming the post office for Congressman McCloskey," Keck said. "Bloomington was the starting point of Frank McCloskey's remarkable career as a public servant and is the most fitting town to honor the legacy of selflessness and hard work he leaves behind."\nWeber said it could take days or weeks to pass the bill, depending on Congress' legislative calendar. \nClose friend to McCloskey and City County Clerk Regina Moore said she felt the renaming suited McCloskey's work perfectly.\n"I think it's an entirely appropriate and fitting tribute to Frank in his legacy," Moore said. "Frank knew about it before he passed away. He was very appreciative."\nMcCloskey, a Democrat, served three terms as Bloomington's mayor from 1972 to 1982, after earning his law degree from the IU Law School in 1971. During his time as mayor, he implemented numerous public services, such as an ambulance and a mass transit system. The following year, the public elected McCloskey to the U.S. House of Representatives, a position he kept for the following six terms until 1995. During that time he focused on U.S. intervention in Bosnia and Kosovo. He died Sunday afternoon in his home after a year-long battle with bladder cancer.\nMafter McCloskey's death, Bayh issued a statement regarding the former lawmaker, describing him as "a dedicated public servant who worked untiringly on behalf of all Hoosiers as a mayor and congressman, and on behalf of all humanity as one of the first to call for greater human rights protection in Bosnia."\nThe sentimental statement also praised McCloskey's determination to fight for what was right.\n"He inspired a generation of Hoosiers through his principles and courage, and I will miss him," Bayh said.\nMoore said a memorial service for McCloskey is being planned and will most likely be held next week.\n-- Contact staff writer Julia Blanford at jblanfor@indiana.edu.