Nebraska news

July 29, 2025

Lexington Post Office Holds Dedication Ceremony in Honor of William E. and Elsie L. Barrett

What:

William E. and Elsie L. Post Office Renaming Event

Who:

Speakers:
John Fagot, Mayor
Matt Williams, Former State Senator
Sarah Cathcart, US Senator Rickett’s Office
Josh Jelden, US Senator Rickett’s Office
Adrian Smith, Congressman
William (Bill) Barrett-Son
Elizabeth Barrett-Daughter

When:

Friday, August 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

Where:

Lexington Post Office
203 E 6th St
Lexington, NE 68850

Background:

118-247: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 203 East 6th Street in Lexington, NE as the “William E. and Elsie L. Barrett Post Office Building.”

William (Bill) Barrett was born in Lexington, Nebraska in 1929. Following his service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean war, Bill returned to his alma mater, Hastings College, graduated, then served as Vice President for Student Admissions and later on the Board of Trustees for 32 years.

In 1978, he was elected to the Nebraska Legislature serving 12 years, with his last four as Speaker. He was then elected to represent the Third District of Nebraska in the U.S. House.

Known for his ability to cultivate consensus and connect with anyone, Bill was the President of his freshman congressional class. He tirelessly focused on issues important to Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers and would often ask: Does this help the Third District?

During his five years in Congress, he served on the House Agriculture Committee and co-authored the 1996 Farm Bill. He presided over the weekly bi-partisan prayer breakfast and was appointed Chairman of the National Prayer Breakfast. He set a lasting standard of dedicated statesmanship and summed up his approach to public service as a high calling with the quote: Service to others is the best work of life.

Elsie Carlson Barrett was born in 1930 and met Bill while he was stationed in New London, Connecticut for Naval service, and the two married in 1952. They settled in Hastings, Nebraska where Elsie worked as a nurse before the family moved to Lexington where they raised four children.

Her passion for improving the lives of children blessed many as she served on the Nebraska Foster Care Review Board and as President of her local Philanthropic Educational Organization Chapter.

Bill and Elsie were an extraordinary team. Bill always put Nebraska first, and Elsie leaves behind a great legacy of bettering the lives of others.

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U.S. Postal Service Celebrates 250 Years

The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is celebrating its 250th year of service to customers amidst a network modernization plan aimed at restoring long-term financial sustainability, improving service, and maintaining the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter; Instagram; Pinterest; Threads; and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

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