On April 20, 2006, Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) commemorated the 38th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act during their Second Annual Fair Housing Celebration led by CEO Ben A. Cook. KHC is one of Kentucky's largest housing providers and one of HUD's leading housing partners.

From L to R: James Sutton, HUD Region IV FHEO Director;Toni Smith, KHC Fair Housing Trainer and Outreach Coordinator;Krista Mills, HUD Louisville Field Office Director;Ben Cook, CEO of KHC

More than 50 fair housing advocates attended the event, including HUD Field Office Director Krista Mills and the HUD Louisville FHEO Center Director Vicki Ray. James N. Sutton, HUD FHEO Region IV Director, made a special trip from Atlanta, Georgia, to serve as the keynote speaker.

Mr. Sutton acknowledged that when most people think of the Civil Rights Movement, their thoughts automatically and instinctively turn to Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. Nonetheless, he recounted the significant role that Kentucky also played in the movement. For example, on March 15, 1968, less than a month before the enactment of the Federal Fair Housing Act, the drive for fair housing protections led to the passing of a state fair housing act by the Kentucky General Assembly. This historic milestone made Kentucky the first state in the south to enact a statewide fair housing law.

Additionally, through the use of inspirational fair housing public service announcements and an examination of the progress that was made during federal fiscal year 2005, Mr. Sutton motivated the audience to continue with the fight of eradicating discrimination wherever it is found.