Pryor statement regarding passing of Hurley Goodall, public servant and civil rights activist
INDIANAPOLIS — State Representative Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement after the passing of Hurley Goodall, former state representative and civil rights activist:
“Hurley Goodall was a true public servant, a civil rights leader and a friend,” Pryor said. “I was heartbroken to hear the news of his passing, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
“Hurley’s legacy is awe-inspiring. It is an inexplicable feeling to sit on the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus that he founded and walk these same hallways where he stepped up for Black people’s rights. He was the first of many, but he worked to ensure he was not the last.
“We may not have served at the same time, but I got to know Hurley and work with him through the Indiana Democrat African American Caucus, another organization he co-founded. Hurley opened the door for people like me to be elected and have the chance to continue the changes he started. Because of Hurley, Jan. 20 is now Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which reminds people to not only recognize MLK’s work but to realize our mission for civil rights is not yet done.
“We will grieve today and remember his outstanding legacy. Tomorrow, we will continue what he lived out: a true heart for public service and a statesman.”
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About Hurley Goodall
Hurley Goodall had a historic career as a public servant in both state and local government. In 1970, he was the first African American to serve on the Muncie Community Schools Board of Education. He represented House District 34 from 1978 to 1992. While in office, he founded the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, sponsored legislation to recognize January 20 as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and represented the voice of the Black community. Before working in government, Goodall was one of the first two African Americans to work for the Muncie Fire Department in 1958.
Throughout his years of public service, Goodall actively served as a board and committee member with various organizations, including: Action, Inc. of Delaware County; Arts Commission; Central States Region National Caucus of Black School Board Members; Muncie Human Rights; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Muncie Chapter; and the Whitely Community Council.
Goodall was born in 1927 in Muncie, and attended Muncie Central High School. After serving in Japan as a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1945 to 1947, he returned home to Muncie and married his high school sweetheart, Fredine “Freddie” Wynn.