Longtime Indiana legislator Bill Crawford died Friday at the age of 79, the Indiana House Democratic Caucus confirmed.
State Rep. Crawford retired from the Indiana House of Representatives in 2012 after serving 20 terms representing District 98.
“He was a giant among men,” House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath said in a statement Friday. “He was a legend, even as he lived. No one in the history of Indiana was a stronger voice for the voiceless. The echoes are everlasting. I will never forget these things. Most of all, I will remember his winning smile, which could fill and illuminate an entire room.”
Condolences 2 the family of fmr #Indiana State Rep Bill Crawford. Blessed to have known this amazing man & legislator pic.twitter.com/QuP4m4l33Y
— André Carson (@RepAndreCarson) September 25, 2015
Crawford, a lifelong Indianapolis resident, told The Indianapolis Recorder in a 2012 interview he was inspired to get involved in the community after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“I thought, if Dr. King could give his life to service, then I should be getting involved as well,” Crawford told the Indianapolis Recorder in 2012.
During his 40 years in the Statehouse, Crawford had a hand in:
— Securing restitution for two wrongly convicted men who served time in prison
— Changing the makeup of the Indianapolis Public Schools Board of Commissioners
— Creating the state’s $5 million Low Incoming Housing Trust Fund
— Starting the Minority Teacher’s Scholarship Fund
— Making Indiana the 13th state to ban the execution of people diagnosed with mental disabilities
— Co-authoring the Second Chance Act, to help people with criminal records find meaningful employment
Crawford was the first Black lawmaker to chair the House Ways and Means Committee. He also played a role in establishing the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus.
Outside of his work at the Statehouse, Crawford was a two-time president of Indiana Black Expo, where he initiated the organization’s scholarship program, created the event Soul Fest and played a role in ensuring the success of Circle City Classic.
Crawford was born Jan. 28, 1936. Crawford was married to Bernice. He had four children: Darren, Sr., Michael, Kim and Monica.
Details about memorial services have not yet been released.
