Washington, D.C. - On Friday, June 19, President Obama singed H.R. 663, to rename the Post Office Building in Sparta, GA, the "Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim Post Office Building." H.R. 663 was introduced by Congressman John Barrow (GA-12). The bill passed the House of Representatives in February of this year.

"I'm pleased to hear that the dream of honoring Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim is now a reality," said Barrow. "My thoughts are with her family every day. As I said in February, whether she was serving her country, her community, her family, or her church, Von carried herself with dignity and grace. I hope that this will serve as a daily reminder to folks in Sparta of everything she accomplished before she was taken from us so soon."

Raised in Sparta, Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim attended Hancock County Public Schools, and remained dedicated to her community until the day she died. Ingram-Ephraim was the first African-American to be elected to the Sparta city government in 1992, winning a seat on the city council. In 1997, she was appointed Mayor Pro-tem of Sparta, while also serving as Secretary of the influential Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials. In addition to her elected duties, she was a fourth grade teacher, devoted mother, and preacher's wife. In 2007, she passed away at the age of 42, after a courageous struggle against cancer.

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Contact:  Jane Brodsky, (202) 225-2823

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