WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, President Donald Trump signed two bills into law to rename post offices after the legendary musicians Marilyn Monroe and Ritchie Valens. The two bills, introduced by Congressmen Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), passed the House of Representatives in October and the Senate last month.
“I’m proud that my bills to rename post offices in honor of the legendary Marilyn Monroe and Ritchie Valens were signed into law by the President,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “Despite the obstacles they faced growing up, Monroe and Valens were able to beat the odds and go on to become nationally renowned icons. Long after their passing, the two pop and rock trailblazers continue to inspire millions of young artists to this day. Monroe and Valens are examples of the talent that exists in our community, and their legacies will continue to be a source of pride for Pacoima and the entire San Fernando Valley for decades to come.”
The pop and rock legends have roots in Congressman Cárdenas’ district – Monroe grew up in Van Nuys and Valens was born and raised in Pacoima.
A native of Pacoima, Ritchie Valens was a rock and roll pioneer, one of mainstream America’s first popular Mexican-American artists and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement. Once a student at San Fernando High School, Valens’ smash hit “La Bamba” took the nation by storm before he tragically passed in a plane crash that became known as “The Day the Music Died.”
Marilyn Monroe was and remains one of the most famous models and actresses in American culture. Monroe was raised in Van Nuys and attended Van Nuys High School and was discovered by an army photographer while she was working at the Radioplane Munitions Factory during World War II. Her films grossed the equivalent of $2 billion before her tragic passing at the young age of 36.