Gary in Lake County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Rep. Katie Hall (1938-2012) / Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law

Representative Katie Hall (1938-2012) side of the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lou Donkle, July 10, 2022

1. Representative Katie Hall (1938-2012) side of the marker

Inscription. Representative Katie Hall (1938-2012). Democratic leader Katie Hall was born in rural Mississippi and moved to Indiana in 1960. She taught in Gary before serving in the Indiana General Assembly, 1974-82. Hall became the first African American US Representative from Indiana, serving 1982-85. During her tenure, she authored and sponsored the bill that made Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a federal holiday.

Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law. The struggle to make Dr King's birthday a federal holiday began soon after the civil rights leader's death in 1968. Growing interest, publicity, and advocacy helped Representative Hall secure passage of a bill in 1983. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law that November, designating every third Monday in January as the holiday. Celebration began in 1986.

Erected 2019 by Indiana Historical Bureau; Khef, Inc.; Atty. Junifer Hall; Atty. Jacqueline Hall; and Law Office of Deacon-Atty. John Henry Hall, Husband-Benefactor, A Family Team. (Marker Number 45.2019.1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Peace

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• Women. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1983.

Location. 41° 35.006′ N, 87° 20.484′ W. Marker is in Gary, Indiana, in Lake County. Marker is on Madison Street south of West 19th Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Marker if in a red, white, and blue-themed garden with other information-markers about Katie Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1927 Madison St, Gary IN 46407, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Atty. Hall's Historic Patriotic Peace Flower and Rose Gardens and Mini-Forest Preserve (a few steps from this marker); Froebel School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Stewart Settlement House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Michael Jackson (approx. half a mile away); Michael Jackson Place of Birth (approx. half a mile away); In Memory Of All American Veterans (approx. 0.7 miles away); Gary Roosevelt High School (approx. 0.7 miles away); City Church (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gary.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Wikipedia

Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law side of the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lou Donkle, July 10, 2022

2. Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law side of the marker

Article.

But on November 2, 1983, Reagan signed a bill into law, proposed by Representative Katie Hall of Indiana, to create a federal holiday honoring King.

(Submitted on July 24, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)

2. Rep. Katie B. Hall’s Fight for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. From the Indiana Historical Bureau of the Indiana State Library

Each year since Dr. King’s assassination in 1968, U.S. Representative John Conyers (D-Michigan) had introduced a bill to make Dr. King’s January 15 birthday a national holiday. Over the years, many became involved in the growing push to commemorate Dr. King with a holiday. Musician Stevie Wonder was one of the most active in support of Conyers’s efforts. He led rallies on the Washington Mall and used his concerts to generate public support. In 1980, Wonder released a song titled “Happy Birthday” in honor of Dr. King’s birthday.

(Submitted on July 24, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)

3. Building Equal Access in Gary and Beyond. From the website of Indiana Landmarks, a non-profit that works to save historic structures throughout Indiana.

Homebuilder Andrew Means got his start in Gary and became a trailblazer for African American real estate developers, providing access to quality housing for the burgeoning black middle class in Gary,
Photographed By Lou Donkle, July 10, 2022

3. Atty. John Hall's Historic Patriotic Peace Flower and Rose Gardens and Mini-Forest Preserve
and leaving an indelible mark on the city’s landscape and architectural legacy.

(Submitted on July 24, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)

4. Andrew Means Park Manor. Published by Ball State University of Muncie, Indiana as part of their Digital Civil Rights Museum - Indiana Crossroads: Hoosier Civil Rights

Born in Alabama, Andrew Means graduated from the Tuskegee Institute in 1918. He studied under George Washington Carver and was befriended by Tuskegee Institute President Booker T. Washington. After graduation, Means spent a few years in the US Army and subsequently worked as a railroad porter.[1] Means then traveled north to Gary, Indiana.

(Submitted on July 24, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)

5. 'Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law' State Marker. Website of the Indiana Historical Bureau.

Website contains the Marker's Annotated Text with all supporting references.

(Submitted on July 24, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)

Additional keywords. Andrew Means, Geter Means, Park Manor, Means Manor

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on February 24, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 24, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.