[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 16, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11529-S11530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO GOVERNOR FRANK O'BANNON

  Mr. BAYH. I thank my colleague from New Mexico, and I thank all 
Members of this body.
  It is with a sense of melancholy but also gratitude that I rise today 
to celebrate the life of Frank O'Bannon. He died as he lived, in 
service to the people of the State of Indiana.
  Frank O'Bannon was my friend and spent the best years of his life in 
public service: 18 years following in the footsteps of his father in 
the Indiana State Senate where he served as the leader of the 
Democratic Party; 8 years as lieutenant governor where we enjoyed a 
seamless partnership working on behalf of the people of our State, 
always a source of wise counsel, support, and encouragement; in these 
last 7 years, working on behalf of the people as Governor of the State 
of Indiana.
  His accomplishments were many and will be everlasting in memory. His 
devotion to education was second to none. He fought for higher academic 
standards, a system of assessments to determine how children are doing 
toward meeting those standards, and taking aggressive steps to ensure 
that every child across our State would have access to the skills 
necessary to make the most of their God-given abilities.
  He worked tirelessly first as lieutenant governor and then as 
Governor on behalf of a better economy, more job opportunities for the 
people of Indiana. Particularly during these recent difficult years he 
doubled his efforts to ensure that our State would be competitive with 
not only our neighboring States but also with those with which we 
compete from abroad.
  Frank O'Bannon cared about a better quality of life for all Hoosiers. 
He work tirelessly for better health care for the citizens of our 
State, particularly for the young. I am so very proud the State of 
Indiana ranks at the top in the country in terms of how we have used 
the new CHIP Program to extend health care benefits to disadvantaged 
children across our State. I was privileged to work with him in my 
capacity in the Senate to ensure our State continued to receive full 
funding for our efforts.
  Frank O'Bannon had many other important contributions in his legacy. 
Most recently I had a chance to visit the new White River State Park in 
Indianapolis and the magnificent Historical Society Center in 
Indianapolis where he hosted, along with our first lady, Judy O'Bannon, 
the other Governors from across the country to showcase the magnificent 
place that Indianapolis has become. The Historical Society was a 
wonderful setting for the Governors. We had a chance to display the 
finest of Hoosier heritage for the entire country.
  The White River State Park will be a magnificent urban park 
attracting not only tourists from across the State but also business 
and industry as leaders of finance seek a better quality of life for 
their employees. His contributions to that effort were substantial, as 
well.
  I believe Frank O'Bannon was a special man not for his material 
accomplishments but instead for the kind of man he was. There is an old 
saying that character is destiny. I believe that is true. Therefore, it 
is no wonder that Frank O'Bannon accomplished so much. He was a man of 
true and outstanding character, indeed. In all my years of association 
with him I never once saw him do something that was mean or petty. He 
understood very well that it is far better to be loved than feared. 
Even more, I always saw him place self-interest behind the public good, 
truly remarkable during an age of cynicism and skepticism about those 
in public life.

  There is an old proverb that says the definition of a statesman is 
someone who plants a tree in whose shade he will never rest. Seedlings 
have been

[[Page S11530]]

planted across our State that will grow into strong oaks under which 
future generations will rest with ease, more secure because of the work 
and the legacy of Governor O'Bannon. He was a statesman, indeed.
  A calling characterized all too frequently by ego and hubris, Frank 
O'Bannon was always humble, gentle, giving credit to others, even when 
he deserved the lion's share. One of his favorite pastimes was to go to 
his cabin in Harrison County in southern Indiana to commune with nature 
and watch the wildlife and experience Mother Nature. That is where 
Frank and Judy O'Bannon were most at home. That speaks volumes about 
his character, as well.
  Let me say a word, too, about Judy. She was an exemplary first lady, 
leading our State in the celebration of the recent millennium, always 
concerned that our history and culture never be lost, always reaching 
out to those in need. She is generous of spirit. I hope her 
contributions to our State will continue for many, many years to come. 
Judy O'Bannon has done the people of our State proud.
  So today, my colleagues and Mr. President, we mourn, but we can take 
comfort in the knowledge that our loss has been Heaven's gain, that the 
life and legacy of Frank O'Bannon will not end with our grieving or 
with my few inadequate words but will remain everlasting in the hearts 
of Hoosiers everywhere as long as we can still recall what makes our 
State such a special place.
  I thank my friends and I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from South Carolina.
  Mr. GRAHAM of South Carolina. Mr. President, I think a recess is 
coming; is that correct?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.

                          ____________________