Representative Tracey Mann's Office
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Last night, the U.S. Senate passed U.S. Representative Tracey Mann's (KS-01) bill to designate the post office in Herington as the "Captain Emil J. Kapaun Post Office Building."
Emil Kapaun was born and raised in Pilsen on a family farm. He was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1940 and joined the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps in 1944, where he served his country in World War II and the Korean War. He died in a prisoner of war camp on May 23, 1951, at only 35 years old. Father Kapaun was awarded a Bronze Star and a Medal of Honor for his valiant service in the Korean War.
In March 2021, Father Kapaun's remains were identified in Hawaii, and in September 2021, brought back to his hometown of Pilsen in September for a celebration of life. TheRomanCatholic Church is in the process of examining Father Kapaun's life to potentially canonize him as a saint.
"Father Emil Kapaun was a man of God who served Jesus and his country honorably," said Mann. "It's my privilege to honor his life through this legislation. I'm pleased that the U.S. Senate passed my bill to rename the Herington post office after Father Kapaun, and I look forward to the President signing it into law.”
“Father Emil Kapaun is an American hero whose selfless actions inspired his fellow soldiers and continue to inspire generations of Kansans today,” said Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS). “I’m pleased Herington, a place so close to Father Kapaun’s home, will pay tribute to his life and sacrifice by renaming its post office the Captain Emil J. Kapaun Post Office Building, and I appreciate Congressman Mann leading this effort to commemorate Father Kapaun’s incredible life.”
“As a Kansan and fellow veteran I know well the honorable work Father Kapaun did for our troops and our great nation,” said Sen. Marshall (R-KS). “Father Kapaun truly is a national hero and with the Senate’s recent passage of this legislation, the people of Kansas will be reminded of his service and sacrifice for generations to come.”