IN SR0041

Recognizes Indiana's rich African American heritage and history, particularly through the Indiana African American Heritage Trail

Acknowledges Indiana's early role as a strategic location for runaway slaves seeking freedom and safe passage to the North, and recognizes the contributions of free blacks and formerly enslaved people who settled in Indiana before statehood

Commends Indiana Landmarks' African American Landmarks Committee for preserving and protecting significant African American sites and structures, and the Indiana Historical Society for conducting a state-wide data collection effort on early African American settlers

Notes the Indiana African American Heritage Trail was founded by Maxine F. Brown in 2004 and currently runs through Clark, Floyd, Gibson, Harrison, Jefferson, and Orange Counties, with plans to extend to all 92 counties to promote cultural heritage tourism

Directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit copies of the resolution to trail founder Maxine F. Brown and Gary L. Leavell, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Southern Indiana Minority Enterprise Initiative, Inc.