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Rochester train station renamed for congresswoman Louise Slaughter

James Brown
/
WXXI News

A year after Congresswoman Louise Slaughter’s death, one her favorite projects has been named for her. Leaders from across the state on Monday helped unveil plaques on the walls of Rochester's Amtrak train station in the Democrat’s honor.

“Everywhere she went, it wasn’t the dog and pony show, everyone knew her," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, "and they loved her, and they were talking about their longtime relationships with her and something she had done for them. They knew how much she fought for Rochester and we still know it today.”

"When this building was demolished on November 14, 2015 and the equipment knocked into the building and it came down rather easily, Louise says ‘I always knew this building was made out of tin,’” remembered Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Daughter Robin Minerva said Slaughter felt a personal connection to the station.

“She worked for years to get the federal funding to make this building a reality," said Minerva. "She was so invested the builders would send her work in progress photos, and she’d come to the house and ask my children if they wanted to photos of my train station.”

Slaughter pushed for the train station to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, while also honoring the original Rochester Station design by famed architect Claude Bragdon.

She was serving her 16th term in Congress when the 88-year-old died from complications after a fall. The Western New York representative was a long-time transit advocate, the dean of the New York delegation and one of the longest-serving Democrats in the House.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's Director of News and Public Affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.
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