Thursday, October 1, 2026
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen announced July 23 that legislation to rename the U.S. Post Office at 80 Atlantic Avenue in Oceanside in honor of Detective Luis G. Alvarez has advanced in the House of Representatives.
If approved, the facility would be designated the “Detective Luis G. Alvarez Post Office," recognizing the late NYPD detective’s service and sacrifice following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Speaking on the House floor, Gillen praised Alvarez as an American hero who answered the call after the attacks on the World Trade Center. She noted that he spent months searching for survivors and assisting in recovery efforts at Ground Zero, where he was exposed to toxic debris.
Alvarez was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2016, an illness linked to his work at Ground Zero. Despite his diagnosis, he became one of the nation’s most recognizable advocates for 9/11 first responders, testifying before Congress in 2019 in support of permanently funding the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
“Detective Alvarez represents the best of us, and we must ensure that his heroism and sacrifice are never forgotten,” Gillen said. “I’m proud to say that this bill to rename the Oceanside Post Office is supported by the Alvarez family and the entire New York House delegation.”
Gillen urged House leadership to bring the bill to the floor for a vote ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in 2026.
Alvarez, an Oceanside native, died in June 2019 at 53 after a yearslong battle with cancer. His testimony before Congress became a defining moment in the effort to secure long-term health care and compensation for thousands of first responders and survivors affected by the attacks. If enacted, the renamed post office would serve as a lasting tribute to his legacy of public service and advocacy.
