ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - Governor Andrew Cuomo on Sunday added his voice to those who think the train station in Rochester should be named in honor of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter.
The Fairport Democrat died Friday at the age of 88, and on Saturday, New York’s U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand wrote to Amtrak officials calling for the new train station to be named the”Rochester Intermodal Station the “Louise M. Slaughter Intermodal Station.”
They noted that Slaughter spearheaded the drive for federal money to construct the new facility.
Cuomo released this letter on Sunday, that he has sent to Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson:
Dear Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson,
The New York community continues to mourn the passing of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. She was a larger than life presence who made all New Yorkers proud over her decades of service.
In her honor, I join Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand in calling on Amtrak to rename the new Rochester Intermodal Station after Congresswoman Slaughter.
Congresswoman Slaughter was instrumental in securing federal funding for this project, which is a symbol of New York State's commitment to rebuilding its transportation infrastructure for the 21st century. The beautiful new station, which the Congresswoman and I opened in October, is a gateway to the Finger Lakes - welcoming passengers with a better travel experience, improved rail service and a world-class facility. Thanks to the Congresswoman's tireless dedication to this project, Rochester finally has a train station of the caliber the region deserves.
It is fitting that this shining example of Rochester's revitalization bear the name of a leader who was integral to making it happen - Congresswoman Louise Slaughter.
Beyond the train station, Congresswoman Slaughter was also a trailblazer who fought relentlessly for the people of her district. She has led the way on the major issues of our time, from environmental preservation to women's rights to attracting 21st century jobs in cutting edge industries like photonics.
In recognition of her leadership and in memory of her legacy, I urge Amtrak to rename the Rochester train station in honor of Congresswoman Slaughter.