SE Wyoming News

A bill to honor Dessie A. Bebout, a former Shoshoni Postmaster, has been passed by the United States House of Representatives and is now awaiting the President's approval. This legislation, introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Tom Carper (D-Del.), was unanimously approved in April. It then moved to the House where it received support from U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) and passed without opposition.

The bill seeks to name the local post office in Shoshoni, Wyoming after Bebout, who passed away last year at 102 years old. A WWII veteran, Bebout began her career with the U.S. Postal Service in 1962 and served as Shoshoni's Postmaster for 13 years.

"Dessie Bebout devoted her life to serving our country and the people of Wyoming," said Senator Barrasso. "Dessie deserves Wyoming’s gratitude for her heroic service in the U.S. Navy in WWII and as Shoshoni’s Postmaster for over a decade afterward."

Senator Lummis added, "Dessie Bebout was a trailblazer, and her enduring legacy and pioneer spirit is the perfect embodiment of our Wyoming way of life."

"There is nothing more appropriate than renaming this post office after Dessie," stated Representative Hageman.

Bebout's contributions extend beyond her postal service role; she served as an election judge, participated in various community organizations such as the Shoshoni Chamber of Commerce and Veterans of Foreign Wars Women’s Auxiliary, among others.

In recognition of her service, she received several honors including the Wyoming Women of Distinction award from the Wyoming Council for Women’s Issues and the Medal of Honor from the Daughters of the American Revolution.