Senator Markey and the Malden River

Added: 2026-05-18

[00:00:00]When I was growing up, my mother warned me, "Eddie, whatever you do, don't swim in the Malden River." It had been used as a dumping ground by chemical and coal companies for decades, and it was coated with a pre-Jimi Hendrix purple haze just floating over it. This was my first lesson in environmental justice. And after decades fighting to clean it up and $19 million in federal investment, I'm so proud to say that we have succeeded. But just cleaning up the river is not enough. I delivered $3.8 million in federal funding to build a community space on the bank of the Malden River because everyone, no matter their race, their income, or their zip code, should have access to somewhere green. In 2026, Jimi Hendrix purple haze no longer reigns as Malden River's theme song. Now, everyone is going to be singing Al Green's "Take Me to the River."