Muskego, WI – Today, Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) joined Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) and community leaders for the dedication of the Colonel Hans Christian Heg Post Office in Muskego, Wisconsin. Steil joined Fitzgerald in sponsoring H.R. 7199, which was signed into law renaming the post office to honor Col. Heg, a noted abolitionist and civil war hero, following the destruction of his statute during riots in 2020.
“Colonel Heg was an abolitionist, patriot, and military leader who died fighting to end slavery,” said Steil. “The destruction of his statue in Madison was a sad chapter of the 2020 riots. I’m proud to have helped lead legislation that will honor Col. Heg for generations to come. Thank you to Rep. Fitzgerald, our local officials, and my colleagues in Wisconsin’s congressional delegation for their work to preserve Col. Heg’s legacy.”
Representative Steil speaking at the ceremony
The plaque dedicating the post office after Col. Heg
“Colonel Hans Christian Heg exemplified courage, patriotism, and selfless service to our nation,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s only fitting that the Muskego Post Office will bear his name as a lasting tribute to his leadership in the Civil War and his deep ties to Wisconsin. This dedication honors not just a local hero, but the enduring values he fought to defend.”
Background:
- During the June 2020 riots in Madison, the statue of Colonel Heg that stood on Wisconsin Capitol grounds was destroyed by protestors.
- Col. Heg was a Norwegian immigrant who spent his childhood in Muskego, Wisconsin and Norway, Wisconsin. The Heg family immigrated to America and settled on the shores of Lake Muskego. Heg led his community and state as an anti-slavery activist. A staunch abolitionist throughout his entire life, Heg also led an anti-slave catching militia in effort to protect escaped slaves.
- In 1861, Heg was appointed Colonel of the 15th Wisconsin Infantry, a Scandinavian regiment. The 15th was recruited to fight for the Union against the Confederacy. The regiment shipped out from Camp Randall to the South in 1862. Heg and the 15th quickly gained attention for their bravery on the battlefield.
- In 1863, Heg was mortally wounded in Chickamauga, Georgia leading a charge against the Confederate lines. After his death, the Wisconsin State Journal reported that “The State has sent no braver soldier, and no truer patriot to aid in this mighty struggle for national unity, than Hans Christian Heg.” Col. Heg was the highest-ranked Wisconsin officer killed in combat during the Civil War.
- Congressman Steil originally introduced this proposal in 2020.
- The legislation was led by Congressman Fitzgerald and cosponsored by Steil, and the rest of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to honor the sacrifice and service of Col. Heg.
