On June 3, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 7180 to designate the post office in Kingsland as the Kingsland ‘Johnny Cash’ post office. The bill was sponsored by 4th District U.S. Congressman Bruce Westerman. It was co-sponsored by Arkansas Representatives Steve Womack, French Hill and Rick Crawford.
“Johnny Cash and the entire Cash family’s roots run deep in Arkansas,” Westerman said upon introducing the bill on the floor for vote.
He further stated how on March 31, 1994, Cash, wife June and all his surviving siblings were present for the dedication of the then-new Kingsland post office. They performed a free concert for the post office dedication in front of 3,000 audience members.
On that day Cash is quoted as having said, “This has probably been the best day of my life.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
On Sept. 25, 1993, the Postal Service released a Carter Family stamp commemorating Cash’s in-laws. That 29-cent stamp was made available on the day of the dedication along with a “Johnny Cash Station” cancellation stamp.
Westerman concluded his comments on the House floor before the vote.
“Thirty years after that dedication, I ask my colleagues to join me in dedicating the Kingsland Johnny Cash Post Office to enshrine in law the legacy he left behind by his service to his country, his iconic music and the deep respect he had for our state,” Westerman said.
He further thanked House Chairman of Oversight Committee James Comer, Kingsland Mayor Sharon Crosby, Cleveland County Judge Jimmy Cummings and Arkansas State Senator Ben Gilmore.
Following the vote, Westerman released a statement: “The unanimous passage of this bill is a testament to the legacy Johnny Cash left behind … and the deep impact he and his family have had on the Natural State.”
Cash was born J.R. Cash on Feb. 26, 1932. Upon joining the U.S. Air Force in 1950, he was required to have an actual name rather than just initials. He chose to enlist as “John R. Cash.” In 1958 when he signed his first record deal with Sun Records, Producer Sam Phillips redubbed him “Johnny Cash” for marketing purposes.
Ten years following Johnny’s death in 2003, the Postal Service issued the Johnny Cash Forever stamp. On that date, June 5, 2013, a second Johnny Cash “First Day of Sale” cancellation stamp was also introduced and available at the Kingsland Post Office.
“Renaming of the Kingsland Post Office in his honor completes the process,” his cousin Wayne Cash said. “I’m not sure if anyone else has ever had a postage stamp, post office, and two cancellation stamps issued in their name.”
This fall, a Johnny Cash statue by Kevin Kresse will be unveiled in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
The original Kingsland Post Office located one block west of the current one is soon to be presented to Arkansas Historic Preservation for admission to the Arkansas Register of Historic Places.
There are four Arkansas Heritage Johnny Cash historic markers in Cleveland County, one of which is located adjacent to the old post office in Kingsland. In addition, another is found at Cross Roads Cemetery north of Kingsland near Cash’s birthplace on the Rivers Family Farm, a third at the Cleveland County Courthouse and a final one outside Wildcat Stadium in Rison.
Each one contains a QR code linked to an audio presentation by Rosanne Cash sharing the significance of each location in her father’s storied life.
During the March 31, 1994, dedication concert for the Kingsland Post Office, Cash family members joined in singing the Carter family classic, ‘Shall the Circle Be Unbroken.’ They are son John Carter Cash (left) brother Tommy Cash, June Carter Cash, Reggie Lisemby, Johnny Cash and his sisters Louise and Joanne. The site has been renamed Kingsland Johnny Cash Post Office.(Special to The Commercial)