insights
Remembering
Kennedy & King PHO TO BY RI CHARD G . BI E V E R
Bronze and steel figures of Sen. Robert Kennedy, left, and the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., reach out to each other over a walkway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Indianapolis. The monument, “The Landmark for Peace,” was dedicated in 1995 to the memory of the two assassinated leaders and the words of peace, prayer and brotherhood they spoke. It was at this park the night King was slain 50 years ago April 4, where Kennedy gave an impromptu speech while campaigning for president that many credit for keeping Indianapolis calm that night while 60 other major cities reacted with violence.
NASHV ILLE SKYLIG HTS Electric cooperative leaders from around the nation and around the world gathered in Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 26-28, for the National Electric Cooperative Association’s 2018 Annual Meeting and Expo. Among the plethora of information presented to co-op directors, managers and staff were sessions on energy issues, politics, consumer engagement and co-op governance. In addition, Indiana was represented on stage by flag-bearer Devan Smith (above), Indiana’s Youth Leadership Council representative selected during the 2017 Youth Tour. At left, George Carter, CEO of Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative, accepted the National Cooperative Purpose Award for PPEC’s Honor Flight Fundraiser that sent 475 veterans on an Honor Flight out of Fort Wayne in 2016. The national award recognizes co-ops for meaningful contributions to the community and exemplifying the purpose of co-ops. Based in Paulding, Ohio, PPEC serves consumers in Adams and Allen counties in Indiana and five counties in northwest Ohio.
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APRIL 2018
Hoosiers to mark 50 years since fate forever linked slain leaders in Indy
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pril 4 marks the 50th anniversary of one of Indiana’s shining moments in the darkness of a national tragedy.
On April 4, 1968, Robert Kennedy was campaigning in Indiana for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. That evening, he flew to Indianapolis for a planned inner-city rally. Upon landing, he was informed that Martin Luther King, Jr., had been assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Told that riots had broken out in other cities and advised not to go, Kennedy proceeded to the park at 17th and Broadway where a crowd of mostly African-Americans had gathered. When he arrived, he realized most had not yet heard the tragic news of King’s death.
Instead of a campaign speech, he broke the news to audible gasps and cries. And then, he gave a short improvised, emotional talk asking for peace, wisdom, compassion and prayers in the face of such violence. Parts of it were later inscribed on his own memorial at Arlington National Cemetery after the senator’s assassination two months later. To commemorate the date, April 4 events at the site of the speech, now home to the Landmark for Peace Memorial at 1702 N. Broadway St., will include civil rights pioneer John Lewis and Kerry Kennedy, daughter of RFK, and other dignitaries. While the events are free, tickets are needed. For information, visit: kennedykingindy.org.
REMC to get part of $276 million rural investment The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last month that it is investing $276 million in rural electric infrastructure to improve system efficiency and reliability in 12 states including Indiana.
to meet current and future needs of rural businesses and residents. It will also support $65 million in smart grid technologies to help rural electric utilities reduce outages and integrate new systems.
“Investing in our nation’s electric infrastructure is fundamental for rural economic growth,” USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said. “USDA’s longstanding partnerships with rural electric cooperatives help ensure that rural areas have affordable, reliable electric service. These investments also increase efficiency and productivity for businesses and residents, and support the quality of life in rural America.”
The loan guarantees are being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Electric Program, which is the successor to the Rural Electrification Administration.
USDA’s investment will build nearly 1,000 miles of line and improve 733 miles of line
The USDA is awarding a $74 million loan to Jackson County REMC in Brownstown, Indiana. The utility will build 84 miles of line and improve 32 miles to provide reliable, affordable electricity to 20,000 residential and business consumers. The loan includes $59.3 million for smart grid technologies. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.