The Katie Hall Educational Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3), which serves as the living memorial to The Honorable Katie Hall (D-IN-1), the first African American elected to the United States Congress from the State of Indiana—male or female—will host the “37th Anniversary National Observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Law.”
The event will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. at Saints Home Church of God In Christ, 833 E. 21st Ave., Gary, where Elder Marcus J. Hammonds is the Pastor. The Keynote Address will be delivered by Rev. Dr. Rameen Jackson, Pastor, Saint Timothy Community Church, Gary. Rev. Jackson’s topic is: “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: His Life, Legacy and Relevancy In 2023.”
U.S. Representative Katie Hall of Gary authored, introduced, and sponsored federal legislation House of Representatives Bills, H.R. 3345 and 3706, in 1983, to honor the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as a national holiday on the third Monday of January. On November 2, 1983, Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States, signed into law H.R. 3706 at a Rose Garden Ceremony at the White House, in the presence of U.S. Representative Hall, members of the King Family, and other national and international dignitaries.
Due to the extensive and primary works of Representative Hall in drafting “The King Bill” legislation, American history was forever changed. Dr. King became the first African American in the history of the U.S. Congress to be honored with a national holiday; and the first African American and American to be honored with a national holiday in his name alone—not even Presidents Lincoln and Washington merit this distinction.
Because of Representative Hall’s federal legislative work, the Gregorian calendar dating back to October 1582, has included Dr. King’s holiday since 1986.
The “37th Anniversary National Observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., National Holiday Law” will feature other prominent speakers and musicians.
Representative Hall was a graduate of Mississippi Vocational College (MVC) aka Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) and the School of Education at Indiana University Northwest in Gary. Her husband, Attorney John Henry Hall, obtained three IUN degrees; her daughter Jacqueline has one IUN degree; and her daughter Junifer has two graduate degrees from IUN.
The U.S. Representative Katie Hall at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., National Holiday Law Signing postcard will also be on sale for $1.00.
Admission is free and open to the general public.
