U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords introduced legislation on Thursday to name the post office in Patagonia in honor of her predecessor, former U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe.

Jim was a true statesman in the Arizona tradition, said Giffords, a Democrat. He was a down-to-earth, sensible lawmaker who worked tirelessly for his district, his state and his nation during more than two decades in Congress.

Kolbe, a Republican, served 22 years in the House of Representatives where he developed a reputation as an expert in international trade. His knowledge of this issue earned him a speaking spot at the GOP presidential nominating convention in 2000.

Kolbe was elected in 1984 and re-elected 10 times before deciding not to seek re-election in 2006. That year, Giffords was elected to succeed Kolbe representing Arizona’s District 8.

Giffords bill is supported by Arizona’s House delegation. It would rename the post office at 100 N. Taylor Lane in Patagonia the Jim Kolbe Post Office.

Kolbe was born in Evanston, Ill. When he was five, his family moved to a ranch in rural Santa Cruz County. He attended Patagonia Elementary School and Patagonia Union High School. Kolbe graduated from the United States Capitol Page School after serving for three years as a page for U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater.

This experience would have a lasting impact on his appreciation for the virtue of public service, resulting in a long and distinguished career rooted in his dedication to cultivating a better Arizona and a better nation, Giffords wrote to fellow House members as she introduced the bill.

College

Kolbe earned degrees from Northwestern University and Stanford University before joining the U.S. Navy and serving in Vietnam.

He would spend his life serving our nation, whether in the United States Navy, the Arizona Legislature or as the U.S. Representative for Arizona’s 5th and 8th congressional districts, Giffords wrote.

Kolbe did not work from a predetermined list of partisan positions, Giffords added. He worked to unite his colleagues in development of solutions to issues important to Arizonans, from increased economic opportunity through trade to environmental conservation.

The main post office in Tucson, at 1501 S. Cherrybell Stravenue, is named in honor of former U.S. Rep. Morris K. Udall who represented Southern Arizona in the House from 1961 until 1991.