Indiana Governor. Raised in Indiana, he graduated from Indiana University, in 1952 and served in the U.S. Air Force (1952-54). After leaving the service, he earned a law degree from Indiana University in 1957, was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Corydon, Indiana. He also was chairman-publisher of the family owned O’Bannon Publishing Company. Entering politics, he was a member of the Indiana State Senate (1970-88) and was elected the 46th Lieutenant Governor, serving 1989-97. In 1997, he was elected as a Democrat the 47th Indiana Governor, serving until his death from a stroke while attending the U.S. Midwest-Japan trade conference. As governor, he made improving public schools his top priority, in areas of assessment of student achievement and accountability of students and their schools. He expanded the children’s health insurance program, making it one of the most successful such programs in the nation. He also established the state’s first community college system, plus was committed to advancing Indiana as a true crossroads of America, for highways and fiber optics.
Indiana Governor. Raised in Indiana, he graduated from Indiana University, in 1952 and served in the U.S. Air Force (1952-54). After leaving the service, he earned a law degree from Indiana University in 1957, was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Corydon, Indiana. He also was chairman-publisher of the family owned O’Bannon Publishing Company. Entering politics, he was a member of the Indiana State Senate (1970-88) and was elected the 46th Lieutenant Governor, serving 1989-97. In 1997, he was elected as a Democrat the 47th Indiana Governor, serving until his death from a stroke while attending the U.S. Midwest-Japan trade conference. As governor, he made improving public schools his top priority, in areas of assessment of student achievement and accountability of students and their schools. He expanded the children’s health insurance program, making it one of the most successful such programs in the nation. He also established the state’s first community college system, plus was committed to advancing Indiana as a true crossroads of America, for highways and fiber optics.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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