He said he would and he is. Illinois U.S. Senator Barack Obama will make good on a pledge today by visiting Gary, Indiana.

Obama’s scheduled appearance is set for 11 this morning at historic Roosevelt High School. As part of his Road to Change tour of Indiana, Obama will speak to the audience and take questions. Obama’s visit will mark his first to Northwest Indiana during his bid for the White House.

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay, a stanch supporter of Obama, says Gary’s time has come.

Clay, the only mayor in Northwest Indiana to endorse Obama, says Illinois’ junior senator can, if he’s elected president, help struggling urban areas like Gary make a comeback.

Obama and New York Senator Hillary Clinton are in a tough battle to secure Indiana’s 72 delegates and 12 super delegates in the May 6 primary.

These are historic times in Northwest Indiana. After having gone four decades without a single visit from a presidential candidate, so far the area has hosted Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton and now Obama.