On Dec. 14, 2019, the first African-American mayor of Gary, Indiana has died. He was the first African-American mayor of a large city in the United States.
In October, Richard Hatcher had a statue erected in his honor. It stands outside City Hall in Gary, Indiana where Hatcher served five terms as mayor after he made history in the November 1967 election.
Hatcher was 86 years old when he passed away.
While Hatcher was mayor, the Genesis Convention Center was constructed. Additionally, he saw the city lose jobs in the steel industry and witnessed an increase in crime.
Hatcher was born in Michigan City, Indiana and he was the son of factory workers. Before he entered into politics, he attended Indiana University and law school.
The statute cost $80,000 and is a combination of limestone and bronze. The likeness captures him in mid-stride during his historic campaign.
By Jeanette Vietti
Source:
ABC 7 News: Statue of historic former Gary Mayor Richard Hatcher
Featured Image Courtesy of Eric Allix Rogers’ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Top Image Courtesy of Samuel A. Love’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
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2 Responses
Sending my prayers and condolences to his family and friends. He will always be my first African American leader. RIP Mayor Hatcher
Rip