IBLC, Porter honor Marshall “Major” Taylor with Distinguished Hoosier Award

Today, members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) honored Marshall “Major” Taylor with the Distinguished Hoosier Award. Born in 1878, Taylor became the first African American world champion in cycling.

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) sponsored the award. Porter serves House District 96, which includes the neighborhood Taylor lived in during his time in Indiana.

“I think Indiana has a lot of unsung Black heroes who deserve to be recognized for the barriers they broke,” Porter said in a statement to Indiana Public Broadcasting earlier this month. “Taylor was only the second Black athlete to win a world championship in any sport, and he was a trailblazer in a non-traditional sport. His sprint times are still considered some of the fastest in the world. Growing up as a Black man in Indianapolis, Taylor was a testament to how far grit and willpower could take you. I am honored to posthumously present this award to Marshall 'Major' Taylor for his legendary impact on Indiana.”

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) spoke at the award ceremony, praising Taylor's talent and perseverance.

“Taylor's story is not just one of triumph on the racetrack, but of courage in the face of adversity,” Harris said during the event. “He competed during a time when the color of his skin meant he was often excluded from competitions, subjected to harsh discrimination and even faced with threats of violence. Yet, despite the odds, Taylor's will to succeed remained unshaken. He set more than 20 records and became an international superstar. But even more than his victories, it was his refusal to be silenced or sidelined that made him a true champion.”

Harris testifies on second draft of high school diploma proposal

Today, Nov. 8., the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) met to discuss the second draft of proposed changes to the Indiana high school diploma. At this meeting, SBOE accepted public testimony to close out the public comment period.

 State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) issued the following statement following his testimony to SBOE:

“It’s concerning that, despite months of public feedback, the second draft still leaves critical issues unresolved. I’ve heard from parents, educators and students in my district about the lack of clarity and support in this proposal, and many of their concerns remain unaddressed.

“One key issue is the impact this proposal will have on students with individualized education plans (IEPs). These students are being overlooked in a system that is rushing to implement changes without proper planning or consideration for the resources they need. It's troubling that companies may not be equipped to understand or implement IEPs, especially considering the widespread counselor shortage and the fact that many people, may not fully understand what an IEP entails until these plans were brought up in SBOE public meetings. The proposal lacks clear guidance on how work-based learning sites will ensure these students receive the necessary accommodations. We need a more thoughtful approach—one that ensures equity for all students, particularly those who require additional support.

“I’m also troubled by the lack of rigor in this draft. This isn’t about a simple name change for diplomas; it’s about maintaining the high academic standards that help prepare our students for the future. Unfortunately, the current proposal fails to address how we will maintain that rigor while providing real, sustainable work-based learning opportunities. Also, what about the background checks required for these work placements? Students' safety is paramount, yet there's no mention of whether employers will be required to conduct these checks to ensure a safe environment. While the proposal includes provisions for these experiences, there is no requirement to ensure that students are actually hired or placed in meaningful jobs, nor is there clarity on how transportation to these sites will be handled.

“Another significant concern is funding. The proposal suggests that schools would need to prepare students for this program in half of the school year, but there is no clear funding mechanism to support the staffing and resources required to make this happen. Schools are already stretched thin, and this proposal doesn’t provide the necessary financial support to implement these changes effectively.

“We must ask: Why the rush to implement this without ensuring we have the right resources and structures in place? We can’t afford to compromise the quality of education for our students. I encourage everyone to continue to provide feedback and raise their voices to ensure that the final version of this proposal meets the needs of all students, not just a select few. The stakes are too high for us to accept anything less than a comprehensive, well-thought-out plan.”

IBLC celebrates 2024 legislative session accomplishments

With the 2024 legislative session at a close, the Indianapolis Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) reflected on their achievements for the session, including the passage of healthcare, economic security and education legislation.

IBLC Chair State Rep. Earl Harris (D-East Chicago) highlighted the legislative accomplishments of members of the IBLC, including:

• House Bill 1004, co-authored by all House IBLC members and voted for by all Senate IBLC members

• Delivers a 13th check to public retirees

• House Bill 1021, co-authored by Rep. Renee Pack (D-Indianapolis) and co-sponsored by Sen. Andrea Hunley (D-Indianapolis)
  WHAT: Establishes a “Green Alert” for missing service members and veterans

• Senate Bill 5, co-authored by Sen. Andrea Hunley (D-Indianapolis) and co-sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond)
  WHAT: Assists utility providers in replacing lead service lines to prevent health complications

• House Bill 1058, co-authored by Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) and co-sponsored by Sen. Andrea Hunley (D-Indianapolis) and Sen. Lonnie Randolph (D-East Chicago)
  WHAT: Improves the quality of breast cancer screenings by requiring an assessment of a patient's breast tissue density

Additionally, the IBLC worked to defeat harmful pieces of legislation during the eleventh hour of the legislative session, including:

• A draft conference committee report of House Bill 1243
  WHAT: Would have removed collective bargaining rights for teachers

• A conference committee report of House Bill 1329
  WHAT: A bill resurrected by Republican lawmakers to deregulate PFAS chemicals, synthetic compounds that pose serious health risks

“I am proud of the work that our Indiana Black Legislative Caucus members did this session to champion positive legislation and defeat legislation that would have proven harmful to Hoosiers,” Harris said.

“The IBLC is lucky to have members who have proven time and time again that they are dedicated to tirelessly serving their communities. It is a combination of that very commitment to service and the emphasis on bipartisanship that every IBLC member holds dear that allows us to bring these legislative successes into being.

“Though we have turned the page on this legislative session, the IBLC remains hard at work, crafting impactful policy for next year. As we begin laying the groundwork for next session, we will continue to work for our communities and craft policy that is representative of the issues facing Hoosiers today.”

The IBLC is currently in the process of developing its legislative agenda for the 2025 legislative session. Additionally, the caucus has begun scheduling and planning a series of town halls. Information regarding the 2025 legislative theme, as well as the specific dates and location for upcoming town halls will be unveiled later this year.