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WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Johnson spoke on the House floor in support of H.R. 7423 – a bill to designate the United States Postal Office in Rayville, LA as the “Luke Letlow Post Office Building.”

Congressman Letlow, elected to represent Louisiana’s 5^th Congressional District in December 2020, tragically lost his life due to complications from COVID-19 before being sworn into office.  

“He had spent his entire professional career serving the people of Louisiana in the Governor’s office and our Congressional delegation,” Speaker Johnson said. “There was no greater ambassador of Louisiana culture and values, and I have no doubt that he would have been a leading member of our delegation and of Congress.”

Read Speaker Johnson’s full remarks below:

I rise today in support of H.R. 7423, a bill to designate a United States Post Office in Rayville, Louisiana after our dear friend and former Louisiana 5th District Congressman, Luke Letlow.

In December of 2020, Luke tragically passed away just days before taking his oath of office and serving here with us in Congress. We were all devastated. He was in the prime of his life – 41 years old, with two beautiful children and a lovely wife Julia who is one of Kelly and I’s favorite people in the world.

He had spent his entire professional career serving the people of Louisiana in the Governor’s office and our Congressional delegation. There was no greater ambassador of Louisiana culture and values, and I have no doubt that he would have been a leading member of our delegation and of Congress.

Luke was the native son of Start, Louisiana, a town of just a few hundred people nestled outside Monroe in northeast Louisiana. It was there that he developed what was truly a servant’s heart.

He had a peaceful, easygoing nature, everybody loved him. Whoever held his attention was the most important person in the world at that moment. Luke listened first, then acted – a quality this town could use a lot more of.

And he was passionate: about Louisiana, about our issues like agriculture and energy, and more than anything, his beautiful family.

I don’t remember having many conversations with Luke that didn’t involve his family. He was so proud of them.

I know he is smiling down upon his wife Julia, our extraordinary colleague who has been such an asset to this institution and a great champion for our state.

Their two children Jeremiah and Jacqueline – who have become fixtures around here – are blessed to have incredible role models as parents.

I am grateful to our entire Louisiana delegation for joining together on this effort. And I am grateful for the comfort of knowing where he is.

By passing this legislation, the Rayville community will continue to honor the life and legacy of a great American and great Louisianian. I look forward to its swift passage.