[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 2170-2171]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            RICHARD HATCHER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2008

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great honor and pleasure 
that I stand before you today to honor one of northwest Indiana's most 
distinguished and honorable citizens. I have known the Honorable 
Richard Hatcher for many years, and he is one of the most influential 
citizens I have ever known, especially when it comes to the progress he 
made for residents of northwest Indiana and the entire United States. 
Forty years ago, Richard was elected mayor of Gary, Indiana, and in 
doing so, he, along with the late Carl Stokes of Cleveland, Ohio, 
became the first African American individuals elected to serve as 
mayors of major metropolitan areas. Since this time, Richard has been a 
constant fixture in not only Gary, but throughout northwest Indiana. 
Today, as we celebrate this significant event in our Nation's history, 
we reflect on the magnitude of his election and the progress that has 
been achieved since that time. In Mayor Hatcher's honor, as well as in 
honor of Carl Stokes, a celebration will be taking place on Saturday, 
February 23, 2008, at the Genesis Convention Center in Gary, Indiana.
  Richard Gordon Hatcher was born on July 10, 1933, in Michigan City, 
Indiana. Following his graduation from high school, Richard went on to 
complete his bachelor of science degree in business and government at 
Indiana University. Subsequently, he also earned his bachelor of law 
and juris doctorate degrees from Valparaiso University. After 
completing law school, Richard relocated to Gary and began practicing 
law in East Chicago, Indiana. This was the beginning of his remarkable 
legal career, which included service as a deputy prosecutor for Lake 
County, Indiana. From there, his political career began when he was 
elected to the Gary City Council. Then, in 1967, he was elected mayor 
of Gary, the office he would hold for an astonishing 20 years.
  Throughout his political career, Richard was always involved with 
various commissions and councils, including: the United States 
Conference of Mayors, for which he served as a member of the executive 
board and as vice president and president of the conference, the 
National League of Cities, the National Conference of Black Mayors, for 
which he was elected its first president, the National Urban Coalition, 
and the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, for which he 
served 4 years as president. He also received Presidential appointments 
to serve on two commissions: the United States Advisory Commission on 
Intergovernmental Relations and the United States Commission on 
Education. Richard has also had a great impact on American society 
through his involvement with several civil rights organizations, both 
locally and nationally, including: the National Association for the 
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Urban League of Northwest 
Indiana, TransAfrica, the National Civil Rights Hall of Fame, the 
Martin Luther King Center for Non-Violent Social Change, and the 
Operation PUSH/Rainbow Coalition.
  Throughout his illustrious career, Richard has been honored time and 
time again for his dedication and steadfast efforts in improving the 
quality of life for all people. To name a few of his accolades, Richard 
was honored in 1974, by Time magazine as one of the ``200 Outstanding 
Young Leaders in the United States,'' as well as one of the ``100 Most 
Influential Black Americans'' by Ebony magazine. He was also awarded 
the ``President's Award'' by the National League of Cities in 1987, the 
``Adam Clayton Powell Award'' by the Congressional Black Caucus in 
1977, the Operation PUSH ``Award of Excellence'' in 1980, and the Roy 
Wilkens Award from the NAACP in 1989. In addition, he has been honored 
with the ``Urban Leadership Award'' by the Indiana Association of 
Cities and Towns, the ``Distinguished Mayor Award'' by the National 
Urban Coalition, and the ``Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom Award'' from the 
National Conference of Black Mayors.
  Madam Speaker, through his election as mayor of Gary in 1967, Richard 
Hatcher has been a cornerstone in the building of a better

[[Page 2171]]

America. He has continued his efforts toward progress through the many 
ways he has selflessly given his time and efforts to the people of 
Gary, northwest Indiana, and beyond. At this time, I ask that you and 
all of my distinguished colleagues join me in commending him, as well 
as the late Carl Stokes, on their 40th anniversary of this significant 
event in our Nation's history, as well as for his lifetime of service 
and dedication to his community.

                          ____________________