[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 31 (Thursday, March 11, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S2705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF GOVERNOR BOB ORR

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a tremendous 
Hoosier and dear friend Bob Orr, who has recently passed away.
  Bob Orr was our Governor during 8 years of record growth in Indiana 
jobs, Indiana exports, and increased interest in public education. As a 
scholar, businessman, political leader, State legislator, and 
Lieutenant Governor, he was superbly qualified to be the 45th Governor 
of Indiana. His extraordinary success brought new idealism, energy, and 
pride to the Hoosier State.
  I was privileged to share a myriad of wonderful experiences with Bob 
Orr during the past 40 years of our work together in public service, 
but two will be indelible in my memories. In June of l989, Bob was 
nominated by President George H. W. Bush to be United States Ambassador 
to Singapore. He proceeded to his post after a hearing by the U.S. 
Senate Foreign Relations Committee and confirmation by the U.S. Senate. 
Shortly thereafter, Char and I visited Ambassador Orr in Singapore. We 
were thrilled by his vision of the great opportunities our country 
could enjoy if we utilized our collective imagination and inventive 
genius to expand exports and to provide constructive economic and 
political leadership in Asia. Bob Orr was tireless in leading Indiana 
and the United States to have an international perspective and a clear 
vision of how our business and educational opportunities could flourish 
if we sought to compete more effectively.
  My second indelible memory is my last visit with Bob and Mary Kay Orr 
last September at a dinner in Indianapolis featuring an address by 
President George W. Bush. It was exciting to compare political notes 
with both of them and to catch up on family news. I had the privilege 
of once again introducing a great Governor, world statesman, and very 
dear friend. I had introduced, nominated, and spoken about Bob Orr 
innumerable times, but the last time I had the honor to do so was very 
special. The assembled crowd rose in cheers and sustained applause. 
Strongly assisted by Mary Kay, Governor Orr arose, a living legend for 
a legion of Hoosiers inspired by his life of achievement and service.

                          ____________________