[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 7, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN HONOR OF INDIANA GOVERNOR OTIS ``DOC'' BOWEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TODD ROKITA

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 2013

  Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of former 
Indiana Governor Otis ``Doc'' Bowen, who passed away on the evening of 
Saturday, May 4, 2013.
  I remember Doc Bowen as one of the first ``former'' public figures I 
met on the campaign trail, running for the third highest office in the 
Hoosier state, Indiana's Secretary of State, as a 30-year-old. In my 
mind, he always embraced my words when he was in the audience, although 
now I am sure that was just Doc trying to encourage one of the young 
guys in the party. He knew the struggles, not just of Indiana, but of 
Indiana Republicans, in particular.
  While I was Secretary of State, he regularly dropped by my office 
when visiting the Statehouse, ``to check on the young guy.'' I so 
greatly appreciated learning from him.
  One of hardest conversations I have ever had in politics was with 
Governor Bowen. He was pitching a candidate for Governor and I had 
earlier decided to support a different man. Doc Bowen made it very 
difficult for me that day. He did it, not with threats and guilt trips 
that are all-too-often the norm in politics, but with honesty and 
class. It would be a high achievement in our politics today if those in 
the statehouse and Washington even pretended to emulate the ways of Doc 
Bowen. All in public life would do well to follow his example.
  Doc Bowen was a model public servant who dedicated his life to 
serving Hoosiers, and our State is stronger because of it. I join 
Hoosiers from across the State in giving thanks for his life and his 
service.

                          ____________________