Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon died Saturday at 11:33 a.m.
He had resided in the neurointensive care unit at NorthwesternMemorial Hospital in Chicago since he suffered a stroke on Aug.8.
O'Bannon, who was born Jan. 30, 1930, and was elected governorNov. 5, 1996, and Nov. 7, 2000, was 73.
A press release from the governor's office said, "The governorexperienced a drop in both blood pressure and heart rate. Based onthe governor's living will, First Lady Judy O'Bannon and the familydecided to use no further means of support and care and thegovernor died naturally."
Throughout his tenures, he emphasized the need to improve thestate's educational capacities, especially for children; indeed,the governor's passionate concern for the well-being of Indiana'schildren is famous. "His optimism and enthusiasm for all thingsHoosier never wavered, even under the most trying circumstance ofhis tenure -- the national recession that has pummeled Indiana'seconomy for three years. He devoutly believed that his nativeIndiana was a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family andhe regularly exhorted others to spread the word," the press releasesaid.
Sen. Evan Bayh, who was Indiana's governor when O'Bannon waslieutenant governor, said he was "a good man and one of the mostdecent public servants I've ever had the honor of workingwith."
Along with his wife, O'Bannon is survived by three children andfive grandchildren.
Joe Kernan, O'Bannon's lieutenant governor, was sworn in asgovernor at 6 p.m. in the Indiana Supreme Court chambers. He willfinish the remaining 16 months in O'Bannon's term.
The Daily News sends it condolences to the O'Bannonfamily and acknowledges its trust in the assumed governorship ofJoe Kernan.
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