(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City is hosting a major human rights event this year and organizers are hoping to land a prominent figure in politics from the area.

An invitation to be one of the keynote speakers has been sent to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.  Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, is the first openly gay member of the U.S. Cabinet.

The Michigan City Human Rights Commission is hosting the annual event which draws people active in human rights from across the state.  MCHRC Executive Director Ta-Tanesha Clark George is keeping her fingers crossed that Buttigieg will accept the invitation.  “We’re hoping that because we’re his home state he might grace us with his presence,” she said.

The three day event, cancelled last year because of COVID-19, is scheduled for June at Blue Chip Casino.  The last time Michigan City hosted the event held in different parts of the state annually was in 2005.