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Indiana Civil Rights Icon, Former State Rep. Hurley Goodall, Dies At 93

Courtesy of Ball State University Libraries

Former Indiana state legislator and civil rights trailblazer Hurley Goodall died recently at his Muncie home at age 93.

Lawmakers hailed the legacy of the man who helped found the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus.

Breaking barriers was a regular part of Hurley Goodall’s life. He was one of the first two African American firefighters in Muncie. He became the first Black person elected to the Muncie Community Schools Board of Education.

And after his election to the Indiana House of Representatives in 1978, he helped create the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus and sponsored the legislation recognizing Jan. 20 as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

In a statement, Indiana House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) called Goodall a “real champion for Indiana.” And Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), a member of the Black Caucus, said Goodall was a “true public servant” whose legacy is “awe-inspiring.”

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.
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