Hamilton Park pastor's name going on post office - NE Dallas - Black community fought to honor longtime leader

As pastor of New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Dr. Robert E. Price has shepherded his Hamilton Park flock through the storms of life for the last 40 years.

Now a post office in the historically black community in northeast Dallas is expected to bear his name.

The U.S. Senate last week unanimously approved naming the facility at 8135 Forest Lane the Dr. Robert E. Price Post Office Building.

The legislation, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, is awaiting the president's signature.

Dr. Price, 74, said he feels humbled by the recognition and hopes it will be an inspiration to others.

"I feel it's an honor but more than that it leaves a legacy for all children," he said. "When they see this, they will know they will stand a chance of being more than I ever tried to be. They will know that, in America, everybody has a chance if you apply yourself."

Dr. Price's name wasn't Mr. Sessions' first choice for the post office.

Two years ago, he took some heat when he recommended the post office be named for Vaughn Gross, a white educator who served as principal of Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet School for five years.

After the U.S. House approved Mrs. Gross for the honor, community leaders started a petition drive to block Mr. Sessions' bill when it went to the Senate.

Letters in protest were sent to Mr. Sessions, Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Plano, and to Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn. Mr. Johnson's office received 400 to 500 letters over the issue.

While Hamilton Park residents said they respected Mrs. Gross and her contributions to the Richardson Independent School District, they felt that the postal facility should bear the name of someone with deeper roots in the community.

"The first choice was inappropriate as far as we were concerned," said Thomas "T.J." Jefferson, president of the Hamilton Park Civic League Home Owners Association. "We felt it was appropriate to have one of the leaders from the community itself."

Mr. Jefferson said Dr. Price was one of the original homeowners in Hamilton Park, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2003, and New Mount Zion Baptist Church is one of the spiritual cornerstones of the area.

"He's one of the founding fathers of the community," Mr. Jefferson said.

Because of redistricting, Mr. Sessions said he didn't know that Dr. Price's name had been submitted prior to Hamilton Park becoming part of his district.

"We were unaware of the request of the Hamilton Park association," Mr. Sessions said. "That's not an apology as such, but I needed to do the right thing."

While residents submitted several names for Mr. Sessions to consider, Dr. Price was the top choice.

He praised Dr. Price as a strong leader who has given selflessly to the community for many years.

Dr. Price has been a "catalyst" that has helped Hamilton Park "stick together and face difficult times together," Mr. Sessions said.