Detroit pays homage to Aretha Franklin by naming a post office after her

DETROIT (AP) – Aretha Franklin received a bit of RESPECT posthumously on Monday when a post office in her hometown of Detroit was named after the late singer.

Franklin’s family members along with postal officials and elected officials visited the former Fox Creek Post Office to celebrate the name change in honor of the Queen of Soul.

“His heritage lives on in his music, in his family. But we’ve added to that list of her legacy: a post office with her name on it, ”said US Representative Brenda Lawrence, Democrat from Michigan and longtime Postal Service employee.

Lawrence was also a friend of Franklin and introduced the bill to Congress which resulted in the name change.

This legislation, which was signed by President Donald Trump in January, has been submitted to Congress, said U.S. Senator Gary Peters.

“Sometimes people wonder if Congress can come together,” the Democratic senator said, laughing at the dedication ceremony on Monday. “Congress can come together when it comes to standing up and recognizing this amazing person. ”

The post office is located about five miles east of downtown and not far from a concert amphitheater on the Detroit River which also bears Franklin’s name. It will now be known as the “Aretha Franklin Post Office Building”.

Franklin died in 2018 at the age of 76 in her Detroit home. A number of songs she has recorded during a legendary career, including “Think”, “I Say A LIttle Prayer” and Respect, are considered classics.