Longtime Human Rights Commission Director Bernard Standard is retiring from that position, and Tuesday the City of Hopkinsville held a reception in his honor.
Standard began serving the Human Rights Commission, once known as the Human Relations Commission, as executive director 30 years ago. He says the journey has been a long one, but one with a lot of joy in it.
He thanked everyone in attendance for their years of support and encouragement, and thanked his team for their hard work and passion for the job.
Standard has been the recipient of many honors, including the newly created Bernard Standard of Excellence Award, of which he was the first recipient and will also bear his name into the future.
Mayor Carter Hendricks and Christian Fiscal Court Magistrate Magaline Ferguson read a proclamation declaring Tuesday as Bernard Standard Day. Idalia Luna, once the mayor’s assistant, will step in the director position after being selected unanimously be the commission board.