[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 31 (Thursday, March 11, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H1015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ROBERT D. ORR

  (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, last night the State of Indiana lost a giant. 
The honorable Robert D. Orr passed away at Indiana University's medical 
center.
  Governor Orr served Indiana for 8 years in the State's top office 
from 1981 to 1989. He spurred our State's economy out of recession and 
overhauled its education system. He also oversaw the removal of the 
State license branch system from political and partisan control and led 
an aggressive effort to promote the export of Indiana products.
  Mr. Speaker, his work did not begin in 1981, nor did it stop in 1989. 
Robert Orr enlisted in the Army in 1942, was commissioned a major for 
his service in the Pacific theater in World War II. At the end of the 
war, he went to Evansville and entered the family business, Orr Iron 
Company. He served as Vanderburgh County Republican chairman and was 
elected to the State senate in 1968 before being elected the State's 
lieutenant governor.
  Even after leaving office, Governor Orr was appointed U.S. Ambassador 
to Singapore and helped build an international relationship with that 
nation that America still enjoys today.
  Mr. Speaker, Hoosiers will remember Governor Orr for all these great 
achievements and his wise actions, but they will most remember him for 
his humility and his personal decency and kindness. Governor Orr 
embodied that very verse in Proverbs: ``With humility comes wisdom.''
  Mr. Speaker, I mourn the death of the honorable Robert D. Orr, along 
with millions of Hoosiers, as we send our heartfelt condolences to his 
wife, Mary, and his entire family. May Robert D. Orr rest in the peace 
that he so richly deserves.

                          ____________________