[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO HILBERT L. BRADLEY

                                 ______


                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 1996

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is the belief of many that we are all 
put on this Earth for a reason. Mr. Hilbert L. Bradley has accomplished 
his mission in life after spending a lifetime working unselfishly to 
improve the lives of citizens in the city of Gary, as well as the 
entire State of Indiana. In a congratulatory celebration, the community 
of Indiana's First Congressional District will gather on Sunday, June 
23, 1996, for a testimonial dinner to honor Hilbert. This dinner will 
take place at Marquette on the Lagoon in Gary, IN.
  As an attorney dedicated to his profession, and a community activist 
dedicated to the well-being of others, Hilbert has tirelessly led the 
fight for equal opportunity, and civil and human rights protections for 
all people. He has provided legal counsel in landmark civil rights 
cases, as well as pro bono services for the NAACP. Hilbert is a noted 
trial lawyer and has had a distinguished career as a deputy prosecutor, 
corporation counsel, and interim judge and mediator.
  In 1987, Hilbert founded the Indiana Coalition for Black Judicial 
Officials, and he serves as the group's general chairman today. The 
organization's purpose is to increase the number of black judicial 
officials in the State of Indiana. The Indiana Coalition for Black 
Judicial Officials organizes statewide public awareness campaigns which 
have resulted in an increased number of black referees and judges pro 
tem, the election of a black judge to the Lake County Superior Court, 
the appointment of Robert Rucker, the first African-American to serve 
on the Indiana Court of Appeals, Fifth District, and Myra Selby, the 
first female and the first African-American to serve on the Indiana 
Supreme Court.
  Hilbert also cofounded the Fair Share Organization in 1958. Its 
purpose was to assure that black people receive their fair share of the 
fruits of American democracy. One major accomplishment of the 
organization was the employment of the first black managers of a major 
chain store, the A&P, in Gary.
  Outside of the legal profession, Hilbert has reached out to several 
civic organizations. Hilbert's distinguished memberships include: 
lifetime memberships of the NAACP and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; 
the Urban League of Northwest Indiana; St. Timothy Community Church; 
Calumet Inn of Court; James C. Kimbrough Law Association; the Lake 
County Bar Association; the Indiana State Bar Association. He also 
serves as a board member for the Methodist Hospitals.
  Moreover, he has received local and national recognition for having 
excelled in his profession. In 1994, Hilbert received the National 
NAACP William Ming Award, the Valparaiso University Black Law Students 
Association Education and Civil Rights Award, the Omega Psi Phi Inc. 
Citizen of the Year Award, and the Phi Delta Kappa (Beta Mu Chapter) 
Outstanding Service and Leadership Award. In 1992, Hilbert was inducted 
into the Steel City Hall of Fame, and, in 1991 and 1958, he received 
the NAACP Mary White Ovington Award. Hilbert is the only member to whom 
the Gary branch has twice presented this award. In 1990, Hilbert was 
presented with the Gary Frontiers Drum Major Award, the Focus 2000 
Great Garyite Award, the NAACP Community Service Award, and the 
Tolleston Community Council Service Award.
  As Hilbert reflects back on his career and community activism, he can 
hold his head high and be proud of his accomplishments. Hilbert is a 
true role model for all young professionals and citizens. Mr. Speaker, 
I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in honoring 
Hilbert Bradley for his unselfish dedication to make Indiana's First 
Congressional District, as well as the entire Nation, a better place in 
which to work and live.

                          ____________________