March 17, 2004

Farewell, Governor Orr

Gov. Robert D. Orr, 1917-2004
His own place in history
Hundreds attend memorial service for former Indiana governor.

So reads the heading to this story today in the Indianapolis Star recalling Governor Orr and describing the services yesterday at the Indiana Statehouse.

Don't miss this great Letter to the Editor today by Dr. Woody Myers, Governor Orr's Indiana state health commissioner from 1985 to 1990, describing the leadership Governor Orr displayed in confronting the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. "[I]t was Bob Orr's courage that catalyzed other states to follow Indiana's leadership. It was Orr's compassion that set the tone for a nation confronting an epidemic laced with fear. A lot of folks didn't expect national leadership on AIDS public policy from Orr and the state of Indiana. But they got it." Dr. Myers concludes his tribute with: "Bob Orr was far more than a good Republican. He was a great Hoosier, and a thoughtful, kind and decent man. Indiana and the nation will miss him."

Govenor Orr's hometown, Evansville, has this final salute today in the Evansville Courier & Press.

Posted by Marcia Oddi at March 17, 2004 08:36 AM