Gary to Name Highway For Former Mayor
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA stretch of Highway 20 in Gary will be renamed in honor of a former mayor. A sign will be unveiled Friday designating the road as the Mayor Rudolph “Rudy” Clay Memorial Highway. July 8, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — On July 11, 2014, the City of Gary along with Representative Charlie Brown (D-Gary) and Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson will hold a naming ceremony in honor of the late Mayor Rudolph “Rudy” Clay who passed away in June 2013. The ceremony will take place at 10am on the front steps of Gary City Hall located at 401 Broadway, and the public is invited.
“I am honored to be a part of such an important tribute,” said Freeman-Wilson. “Mayor Clay was one of the public officials who paved the way for more African-Americans to serve in government. Renaming a portion of a highway is wonderful way for him to be remembered for generations to come.”
The City of Gary will rename a portion of Highway 20 the Mayor Rudolph “Rudy” Clay Memorial Highway. A new road sign will be revealed and comments from family, friends, and other elected officials will take place at the ceremony.
During a meeting of the Senate Homeland Security, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs Committee, State Senator Earline Rogers (D-Gary) proposed Senate Concurrent Resolution (SR) 24, a proposal honoring the late Rudolph “Rudy” Clay. The proposal authorized the renaming of a portion of U.S. Highway 20 in honor of the former mayor’s legacy and service to the people of Gary.
“Rudy Clay was a trailblazer in his ability to advocate for the needs of those in Gary, Lake County, and the State of Indiana,” said Sen. Rogers. “His perseverance and dedication to the people of Gary and his love for the state of Indiana are iconic and deserve recognition.”
In his forty years of public service, Mayor Clay served as a county councilman, a State Senator, and most recently as mayor of Gary from 2006 to 2011. In addition to serving Indiana in three different levels of government, he was Lake County’s first black Democratic Party Chairman. He passed away at age 77 after a battle with cancer on July 2, 2013.
“He was a man of wisdom, courage, and tenacity. His goal was always to understand the people he represented and give them a voice in government,” said Sen. Rogers.
Sen. Rogers represents Indiana Senate District 3 which encompasses portions of Lake County. District 3 communities include Gary, Lake Station, New Chicago, Hobart, Ainsworth, Merrillville and Crown Point. For more information on Sen. Rogers, her legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.IN.gov/s3
Source: City of Gary