On April 15, 2013, “Boston Strong” became the city’s rallying cry after two pressure cooker bombs exploded about 12 seconds apart and within 200 yards of each other near the Boston Marathon’s finish line on Boylston Street.
Governor Deval Patrick signed legislation Friday authorizing the issuance of special “Boston Strong” license plates. The net proceeds from the sale of these special license plates will support the families of the 3 persons killed, the 16 people who lost one or more limbs and the more than 260 other victims with lesser injuries as a result of the Marathon bombs. [pullquote]The Boston Strong license plate will join the 18 other presently authorized special license plates.[/pullquote]
Boston Strong plates benefit One Fund Boston
Persons wishing to have the Boston Strong plate on their vehicles will pay the normal registration fee plus the additional fee set by the Registrar. The enabling legislation signed by the Governor, c. 78 of the Acts of 2014, provides that this special plate will cost at least $50 in addition to the established registration fee for private passenger motor vehicles. After deducting its distribution costs, the Registry will contribute the net proceeds from the issued special plates to the One Fund Boston which will use the funds at its discretion for Marathon bomb victims’ support.
The Boston Strong license plate enacted to support the One Fund Boston and all of the victims and survivors of the Marathon attacks is tremendous not only in the financial support to this community, but also in the ongoing support and encouragement it will provide as this community continues their long and life changing recovery,” said representatives of the One Fund Boston.
Thank you to the entire state delegation, Governor Patrick, Mayor Walsh, Mayor Menino and all those that had a role in making this a reality. Seeing these plates on the road will help remind us all that we are one community and we are proud to be Boston Strong. One Fund Boston will continue its mission in supporting those most affected by last year’s attacks and plans for a second distribution this summer.
The One Fund will continue serving its mission as long as it is effective and will continue to work with the survivors, victim’s families and our partners to ensure that our community will never be forgotten – they have lifted the spirit of our state and city through their courage and we are committed to supporting them as they continue in their healing process.
One Fund Boston has already distributed over $60 million to Marathon bombing victims
The day after the tragic bombing, April 16th Governor Deval and Boston Mayor Tom Menino established One Fund Boston “to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15, 2013.” Through private donations One Fund Boston had within 75 days collected and distributed to the injured victims and their families over $60 million without any incurring any expenses as a result of the pro bono work of businesses and law firms.
Since its first distribution, One Fund received an additional $12 million and has announced that it will make a second distribution to the bombing victims and their families. Additionally, One Fund has established a formal management structure with a paid executive director and permanent staff.
New Boston Strong plate available by the Fall of 2014
The new Boston Strong license plate provides an additional funding initiative for One Fund to provide continuing financial support to the survivors, a number of whom have permanent residual effects from their injuries, and their families.
Under the terms of the enabling legislation, the license plates will have on their face an, as yet undetermined, “design memorializing the tragic events that occurred at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013 and the words ‘Boston Strong’.”
The Registry has indicated that it expects the new plate to be available for order on its website by the late summer or early fall of this year.
Boston Strong becomes 19th Special Massachusetts license plate authorized
The Boston Strong license plate will join the 18 other presently authorized special license plates listed below:
| Basketball Hall of Fame | Blackstone Valley |
| Boston Bruins | Boston Celtics |
| Cape Cod & Islands | Choose Life |
| Conquer Cancer Coalition | Cure Breast Cancer |
| Firefighters Memorial | Fish & Wildlife |
| Invest in Children | Olympic Spirit |
| Massachusetts Animal Coalition | New England Patriots |
| Red Sox | Right Whale |
| UMass | United We Stand |
Ordering Special Plates including “Boston Strong” (when available)
When the “Boston Strong” license plates become available, interested person can order them from the Registry’s Special Plate Ordering Page.
The new Boston Strong plate will likely have the same issuance conditions as the above special plates:
- You have to give up your present plate and cannot request a particular plate number or special letters.
- You have to have a current registration in good standing to apply.
- Only the registered owner of the vehicle can apply for the special plate.
- You cannot order special plates for company-owned or leased vehicles.
