Amtrak begins Philadelphia station's name change

Last week, Amtrak began taking steps to officially rename the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia in honor of the late William Gray III, a former U.S. congressman who died six years ago.

Legislation calling for the name change was passed in 2014. Gray represented Pennsylvania's Second District in Congress from 1979 to 1991. He later served as president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund.

Amtrak has begun installing large signs bearing Gray's name outside the station on 29th and 30th streets.

"Though details will come together, to be determined by the end of this month, July 31, Amtrak will make space also for a representation of Bill Gray with a statue and memorial plaque capturing his legacy," said U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Pa.) in a press release.

Among his many accomplishments, Gray broke barriers for African-Americans in Congress and fought for federal funding for Amtrak, according to Evans.

"Gray 30th Station will be a memorial to a great man, and it will symbolize the ethic of using one's personal station and power for good, as he always did," Evans said.