Bush signs law naming post office for Ava Gardner

SMITHFIELD, N.C. (AP) _ The Smithfield Post Office is now the Ava Gardner Post Office. <br/><br/>President Bush signed legislation Monday to rename the post office in honor of the Oscar-nominated actress,

Wednesday, March 22nd 2006, 11:37 am

By: News On 6

SMITHFIELD, N.C. (AP) _ The Smithfield Post Office is now the Ava Gardner Post Office.

President Bush signed legislation Monday to rename the post office in honor of the Oscar-nominated actress, who grew up in Johnston County.

``Ava Gardner was a small-town girl who became a big-time celebrity,'' said Rep. Bob Etheridge, D-N.C., who sponsored the bill to rename the post office.

``She represents the can-do attitude and patriotism of the people of Smithfield and Johnston County,'' Etheridge said.

Gardner was nominated for a best-actress Oscar for 1953's ``Mogambo.'' Her films also include ``The Night of the Iguana'' and ``On the Beach.''

She had a series of high-profile marriages, to Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw and Frank Sinatra. The actress died in 1990, at age 67.