WHO WE ARE

The William H. Gray III Memorial Foundation is a group of dedicated friends, family, and local and national community members working together with Amtrak to rename Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station in William H. Gray’s honor.

THE 3 PILLAR TRUTHS OF REVEREND GRAY

True Diversity Pillar

True Diversity

Rev. Gray broke barriers and lived an authentically diverse life. He worked, worshipped, socialized and strategized—truly and closely—with people of diverse backgrounds.

True Community Pillar

True Community

Rev. Gray remained rooted in his community while seeing the wider world as an extension of it. Despite global travel and broad responsibilities he stayed close to the people and community he loved.

True Commerce Pillar

True Commerce

Rev. Gray’s monumental efforts to successfully fight for funding for Amtrak when he was in Congress saved an institution that has provided countless jobs to the communities Amtrak serves.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our legislation, H.R. 4838 -

To redesignate the railroad station located at 2955 Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, commonly known as “30th Street Station”, as the “William H. Gray III 30th Street Station” - was passed unanimously in
July 2014.

REDESIGNATION
The railroad station located at 2955 Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, commonly known as “30th Street Station”, shall be known and designated as the “William H. Gray III 30th Street Station”.

REFERENCES
Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the railroad station referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to the “William H. Gray III 30th Street Station”

PROPOSED SITE SIGNAGE

TIMELINE

JUNE - AUG 2014

H.R. 4838 introduced by Representative Chaka Fattah and co-sponsored by the entire Pennsylvania delegation. Unanimously passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. President Obama signed the renaming into law on August 8, 2014.

2016 - 2017

Foundation leadership and Philadelphia community leaders begin outreach to Amtrak in a formal campaign calling on Amtrak to agree on a process and timelines for the renaming of the station.

JUNE - AUG 2017

Launched social and traditional media campaign and secured support of national and local stakeholders, government officials, community and private-sector leaders. See pieces from our media campaign in: CBS Philly, The Philadelphia Tribune, The Philadelphia Business Journal, Philly Voice, The Philadelphia Sunday Sun, and Curbed Philly

SEPT 29, 2017

Campaign convenes public press event calling on Amtrak with approximately 100 supporters from across Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, including Senator Casey, Current and Former Mayors, State Representatives, City Council, and Community Leaders.

OCT 2017

Amtrak’s CEO, Richard Anderson, committed Amtrak’s full and speedy compliance in transitioning to William H. Gray III 30th Street Station.

PRESENT

Finalizing MOU with Amtrak and SEPTA Capital Campaign raising $2M to complete the Gray 30th Street Station Memorial.

THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

The Gray Memorial Foundation is the 501c3 entity that will enter into agreement with Amtrak.

The Foundation is working now to negotiate cost-sharing for an anticipated budget of approximately $2M*

The Foundation's Capital Campaign is raising funds to turn the station into a fitting, living memorial. Costs include:

Physical signage – design and installation costs
An artistic installation representing Bill Gray's achievements
Donor recognition plaque
A public campaign to promote Bill Gray's important contributions among the Philadelphia community and Amtrak ridership
Rededication and groundbreaking event
Administrative and fundraising costs
Finalize a Memorandum of Understanding with Amtrak

300 New Jersey Avenue NW Suite 900
Washington, DC 20001
202-461-2100
info@graymemorial.org