Fattah Moves to Rename Philadelphia Train Station After Bill Gray with Bipartisan Support of Full PA Delegation

Legislation introduced today in the House would rename 30th Street Station after former Philadelphia Congressman Bill Gray who served as the House's first African-American majority whip

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Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

Jun 12, 2014, 11:37 ET

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the full support of the Pennsylvania delegation, Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02) has introduced legislation to rename Philadelphia's iconic 30^th Street Station after former congressman William (Bill) H. Gray III.

Gray, who passed away last July at age 71, was Fattah's predecessor in Pennsylvania's second congressional seat. Gray is credited with securing a significant portion of the funds for the $78 million overhaul of the station that was completed as he was leaving office in 1991. While in Congress, Gray was a key sponsor of a $13 million Urban Development Action Grant that helped pay for the renovation project; 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.

"Renaming this historic station in Bill Gray's honor would be a fitting tribute for a man and leader who did so much for the Philadelphia community—not only as a public servant, but as a businessman, friend, father, and minister," Congressman Fattah said. "His dedication to his constituency knew no bounds, but he was particularly passionate about investing resources in America's infrastructure, and gave undue time and commitment to making 30^th Street Station one of the finest train facilities in this country."

Gray served the district from his election in 1978 through 1991, when he chose to resign to run the United Negro College Fund. Throughout his tenure in the House of Representatives, Gray was the first African-American to become majority whip and the first African-American to achieve chairmanship of the House Budget Committee.

The legislation, introduced in the House today by Fattah, would redesignate the West Philadelphia rail station as the "William H. Gray III 30^th Street Station." The entire Pennsylvania House delegation will serve as original co-sponsors of the bill: Reps. Bob Brady, Mike Kelly, Scott Perry, Glenn Thompson, Jim Gerlach, Patrick Meehan, Mike Fitzpatrick, Bill Shuster, Tom Marino, Lou Barletta, Keith Rothfus, Allyson Schwartz, Mike Doyle, Charlie Dent, Joe Pitts, Matt Cartwright, and Tim Murphy.