[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 110 (Friday, June 29, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO JOHN HALL ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE U.S. 
              DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

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                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 29, 2018

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, 
beloved and iconic member of the Hoosier community, John Hall, who is 
retiring as the Indianapolis Field Office Director for the U.S. 
Department of Housing and Urban Development in Indiana (HUD). During 
his time at HUD, John worked tirelessly to improve the living 
conditions, neighborhoods, and quality of life for residents across the 
State of Indiana. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District 
are forever grateful for John's contributions to our Hoosier community, 
and it is my privilege to honor him today.
  A native Hoosier, John was raised in Indianapolis where he attended 
Shortridge High School and later graduated from Ball State University 
with a Bachelor's of Social Science. After earning his undergraduate 
degree, John pursued graduate studies at both Indiana University-Purdue 
University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and DePauw University. He then began 
his career teaching history and government at Arsenal Technical High 
School. Passionate about community youth, John coached freshman track 
and was the trainer for the Arsenal Tech sports program. Dedicated to 
making a difference through education, John directed the Minority 
Engineering Advancement Program (MEAP) and later became an 
administrator at the Purdue University School of Engineering and 
Technology at IUPUI.
  In addition to his career in education, John served as a senior aide 
to Senator Richard Lugar for 15 years. Under Senator Lugar, he managed 
a vast portfolio of issues, including education, economic development, 
small business, and special projects. As Assistant State Director, John 
worked with key Indiana staff members on domestic and international 
issues, specifically focusing on African affairs. He later served as 
Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis for three years under Mayor Stephen 
Goldsmith. Under his leadership, John helped facilitate the Mayor's 
education forums, the Front Porch Alliance, faith-based initiative, 
welfare-to-work initiative, small and minority business development, 
affordable housing, and inner city retail and race relations issues. 
During my time as Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis, I had the unique 
opportunity to work side by side with John to help lead our city. A 
true public servant, John then became the Director of Neighborhood 
Relations for the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County in 
2000.
  In 2002 John became the first African-American Indianapolis Field 
Office Director in the history of the U.S. Department of Housing and 
Urban Development. As Field Office Director, John met with various 
mayors, housing authority executives, and community development 
professionals throughout the State of Indiana. His communication skills 
and deep experience were instrumental in gaining a better understanding 
of the strengths and challenges presented in communities across the 
state of Indiana. Personal knowledge of neighborhood issues allowed him 
to understand the importance of a safe, stable living environment, with 
available opportunities for home ownership. Responsible for leading the 
Indianapolis field office and offices in Gary, Indiana, John oversaw 
over 87 HUD employees. Under his leadership, the Indianapolis office 
encouraged homeownership, refinanced FHA mortgages for affordable 
housing, and doubled its homeownership outreach, especially among 
minorities. This led to administering more than 460 million in grant 
dollars across Indiana communities.
  John's impact on his community goes far beyond his work at the U.S. 
Department of Housing and Urban Development, as evidenced by his 
service on the boards of the Fund for Hoosier Excellence, the Greater 
Indianapolis Progress Committee, and the Greater Indianapolis Health 
Foundation. He also served as a chairman for the Greater Indy 
Neighborhoods Initiative, Co-Chair of the Civic Engagement segment of 
the Community Revitalization Summit, Trustee of the Indianapolis 
Building Authority, and member of the Marion County Sheriff's Merit 
Board and Indianapolis Human Rights Commission. A man of faith, John 
currently serves as the Staff Parish Team Leader at Barnes United 
Methodist Church in Indianapolis.
  In the public and private sector, John has been honored with numerous 
awards. He notably received the 2007 Outstanding Black Alumnus from 
Ball State University, the 2006 Award for Public Service from the 
Indiana Black Expo, the 2005 President's Award from Ball State 
University's Black Alumni Constituent Society, and the award for 
Excellence in Public Health from Indiana's State Health Commissioner in 
2004. He was also honored with the Ball State Benny Award in 2004, Drum 
Major Award in Community Service by the Circle City Frontiers of 
Indianapolis in 2000, and the Achievement in Public Service Award by 
the Center for Leadership Development in 1997.
  John has made a remarkable impression on his community and the lives 
of his friends, family, and colleagues. He has truly left a legacy of 
service at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and 
beyond that will be built upon for years to come. On behalf of 
Indiana's Fifth Congressional District, I would like to congratulate 
John Hall on his extraordinary career and extend my gratitude for all 
the wonderful contributions he has made to our Hoosier community. While 
I know John will be missed at HUD, I wish the very best to him, his two 
sons and the rest of his family as he enjoys a well-deserved 
retirement.

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