Details set for dedication program
A public dedication ceremony for an Indiana state historical marker commemorating labor organizer and Brazil, Indiana native Jimmy Hoffa is scheduled for Tuesday, August 8, 2023 in Clay County. The program will begin at 11:00 am at the northeast corner of National Avenue (US Highway 40) and Indiana 59. Parking for the program is available at the Clay County Historical Museum.
The text follows for the state marker entitled “James R. ‘Jimmy’ Hoffa:
Jimmy Hoffa was born in Brazil, Indiana in 1913. His family struggled with poverty, inspiring him to become an organized labor leader during the Great Depression. He became active in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in the 1930s and served as General President, 1957-71. In 1964, he forged a national trucking agreement, raising wages for over 400,000 workers. As General President, Hoffa opposed discrimination, supported efforts to reduce poverty, and organized a political action committee for Teamster families to lobby for labor issues. Under his leadership, Teamsters membership rose to over two million workers. Hoffa was the subject of many investigations and was convicted of jury tampering in 1964. He disappeared in 1975.
The public is invited to attend the dedication for this marker that examines labor history in the United States and Hoffa’s work advocating on behalf of workers. This marker is just the fourth state marker to be installed Clay County. For a listing of other markers in the county, visit: https://www.in.gov/history/state-historical-markers/find-a-marker/find-historical-markers-by-county/indiana-historical-markers-by-county/#clay. The Clay County Historical Museum will be open free of charge from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm on August 8th and will offer free refreshments.
State historical markers commemorate significant individuals, organizations, places, and events in Indiana history. These markers help communities throughout the state promote, preserve, and present their history for the education and enjoyment of residents and tourists of all ages. For over 100 years the Indiana Historical Bureau, a division of the Indiana State Library, has been marking Indiana history. Since 1946, the marker format has been the large roadside marker, which has the familiar dark blue background with gold lettering and the outline of the state of Indiana at the top. Approximately 750 of these markers have been installed over the years.
For more information about the Indiana Historical Marker Program, including details on this marker, a listing of other markers in the state, or other resources about Indiana, visit the Indiana Historical Bureau’s website at http://www.IN.gov/history or call (317) 232-2535. For more information on the dedication, contact Dave Crooks at dlc@dlcmediainc.com.