WASHINGTON, July 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A bipartisan bill to rename Philadelphia's iconic 30th Street Station in honor of former U.S. Representative William (Bill) H. Gray III passed the House of Representatives on a voice vote today. Introduced in June by Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), with the support of the full Pennsylvania delegation, the legislation honors the late Philadelphia Congressman for his outstanding public service career, including his leadership on transportation issues.
Gray, who passed away in July 2013, was Fattah's predecessor in Pennsylvania's Second Congressional District, and the first African-American to become Majority Whip in the House. Gray is credited with securing a significant portion of the funds for the $78 million overhaul of the city's train station that was completed as he was leaving office in 1991. The bill, which will rename the station the "William H. Gray III 30th Street Station," now moves to the Senate for consideration.
"This legislation honors a great man and his historic legacy. Bill Gray was a visionary leader whose commitment to transforming Philadelphia's historic train station into a modern-day transit hub will impact the city for generations to come," Congressman Fattah said. "Renaming this building for him is a fitting tribute to Bill, whose impact in the Philadelphia community continues to echo today. I am pleased to see the House recognize a distinguished former colleague with the passage of this bill."
Click here to view Congressman Fattah's speech on the House floor regarding the renaming bill.
While in Congress, Gray was a key sponsor of a $13 million Urban Development Action Grant that helped pay for the renovation project of 30th Street Station; he also helped secure $30 million in bond funding. The station is now Amtrak's third busiest and annually sees more than four million people pass through it.
SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah
