When the Sibley Post Office was first occupied in late 1960, a plaque was installed bearing the name of President Eisenhower, a Republican. The plaque was replaced with one inscribed with Democratic President John F. Kennedy when the building was formally dedicated in June 1961. Unhappy with the change, Republican Iowa Congressman Charles Hoeven petitioned Postmaster General J. Edward Day to reinstate the original marker inside the new Post Office building.

Though the Postmaster General argued the Democratic designation was “in the interest of historical accuracy,” Representative Hoeven’s subsequent appeal was successful. On August 10, 1961, Postmaster General Day wrote the congressman that he would arrange for the restoration of the original plaque.