SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1284        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Jason M. Lewis

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to naming the Winchester center station after Governor John A. Volpe.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1284        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2259 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to naming the Winchester center station after Governor John A. Volpe.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION I. The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the following new chapter:

The John A. Volpe Winchester Center Station Memorial Recognition Act

SECTION II – PURPOSE: Memorializing Governor John A. Volpe

John A. Volpe, a remarkable, and important individual in Massachusetts History, lived a significant portion of his life, particularly most of his public life, in Winchester, Massachusetts, and should be publicly recognized, within its boundaries. Among his actions, was speaking at the actual original dedication of the elevated Winchester Center Station, having made the decision, for the new format of the station, which has saved numerous uncounted lives, over many decades.

Among many details, of an energetic, enthusiastic, and committed public life, are known significant achievements:

•Governor of Massachusetts, for three terms

•United States Secretary of Transportation

•United States Ambassador to Italy

•Construction Contractor

•Navy Seabee

•Winchester Town Meeting Member

•Known National Figure

•Chair, first national commission on drunk driving, and driving safety

•Strong local Charity Interests, And Activities

•A wide range of personal stories, and individual interactions with numerous people, over his entire life

SECTION III – MEMORIAL DETAILS

A Volpe Memorial Working Group (VMWG) shall be established, with representatives, of the Town of Winchester, the MBTA, and the Winchester Volpe Memorial Group, to consider how to carry out, proper memorialization of Governor John A. Volpe; signage, appropriate design work, and suitable historical memorial information, in the formal recognition of Governor John A. Volpe, at or near the Winchester Center Station.

The General Manager (GM) of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) shall name a Chair of the Volpe Memorial Working Group (VMWG); and the GM, and the named Chair, shall assemble a committee of interested individuals, who shall include residents of the Town of Winchester, and other appropriate individuals, to consider how best to memorialize Governor John A. Volpe, for his contributions to Transportation, the Town of Winchester, and other fields.

The Volpe Memorial Working Group, shall keep records of their meetings, and keep a spirit of relevant ad hoc, energetic membership, as would befit Governor Volpe.