The Senate has passed Congressman Dan Lipinski's (IL-3) bill renaming Chicago's Mount Greenwood Post Office as the Captain Herbert Johnson Memorial Post Office Building. Captain Herbert "Herbie" Johnson died on November 2, 2012, at the age of 54, while battling flames in the attic of a two-story home on Chicago's South Side. The bill passed the House earlier this year and now awaits the President's signature.

Monday morning, Rep. Lipinski was joined by members of Herbie Johnson's family, local firefighters, and Ald. Matt O'Shea at the Mount Greenwood Post Office, located at 3349 West 111th Street, to celebrate passage of the bill. "Captain Johnson heroically served area residents for over 32 years, paying the ultimate price while protecting his city's residents," Rep. Lipinski said. "While his duties took him to almost every part of Chicago, his heart belonged to the Southwest Side, especially to the close-knit community of Mount Greenwood. Herbie's wife of 28 years, Susan, his two sons, Thomas and Michael, and his daughter, Laurie, as well as all of Herbie's family, continue to be in my prayers and the prayers of so many other people in the surrounding area who knew him well, not only as a courageous and dedicated public servant, but also as an outgoing and caring neighbor and friend."

Captain Johnson learned public service from his family. Three of his brothers are Chicago police officers, a sister is a retired Chicago police officer, and another brother is a Chicago firefighter. Over the years, Johnson taught over one thousand recruits as an instructor at the Robert J. Quinn Fire Academy, and is fondly remembered by those he taught. After the terrorist attacks on 9-11, he volunteered with the rescue efforts in New York City. In 2007, he received the state's highest award for firefighters, the Illinois Medal of Honor, for rescuing several children from a burning apartment.