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James Bilbray dies

Congressman, postal governor was 83

James H. Bilbray served on the USPS Board of Governors for a decade, including a stint as chairman from 2015-2016.

James H. Bilbray, a former congressman from Nevada who served for 10 years on the Postal Service’s Board of Governors, died Sept. 19. He was 83.

Bilbray, a Democrat, was appointed to the board by President George W. Bush in 2006, the year the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act was passed by Congress.

He served as the board’s 22nd chairman, from December 2015 to December 2016. By the time he left, he was the board’s lone independent governor.

Prior to his USPS service, Bilbray worked as an attorney and held state and local office. He was the U.S. representative for Nevada’s 1st District from 1987 to 1995, succeeding Harry Reid.

In 2016, he took part in the Postal Service’s dedication ceremony for the Pets stamps in his hometown of Las Vegas, where he called USPS “one of the greatest institutions in this country.”

Later that year, he presented then-Postmaster General Megan Brennan with her 30-year service pin.

Bilbray is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Michaelene; and daughters Erin Bilbray, Bridget Bilbray-Phillips and Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod.