31 Facts About Frank O'Bannon

Frank Lewis O'Bannon was an American politician who served as the 47th governor of Indiana from 1997 until his death in 2003.

Frank O'Bannon graduated from Corydon High School in 1948 and then Indiana University, where he met his wife Judy.

Frank O'Bannon eventually became one of the body's most prominent members.

Frank O'Bannon ran for Governor of Indiana in 1988; however, instead of facing a hotly competitive primary, Frank O'Bannon dropped out of the race and became the running mate of Evan Bayh.

Frank O'Bannon was re-elected in 2000, defeating Congressman David M McIntosh.

Frank O'Bannon presided over a period of economic prosperity for the state in the 1990s and served a term as Chairman of Midwestern Governors Association.

Frank O'Bannon is the most recent governor of any US state to die in office.

Frank O'Bannon was a native of Corydon, Indiana, where his family owned the Corydon Democrat, the town's newspaper.

Frank O'Bannon attended Indiana University, where he played one season of basketball for the Hoosiers.

Frank O'Bannon spent two years in the United States Air Force.

Frank O'Bannon rose to the rank of Senate Minority Leader among Democrats during his tenure in the legislative body.

Frank O'Bannon served one two-year stint as chair of the Senate Finance Committee following a short-lived Democratic majority.

Frank O'Bannon launched his first campaign for governor in May 1987 from Corydon, Indiana and initially faced off against then-Secretary of State Evan Bayh and Kokomo Mayor Steve Daily.

Frank O'Bannon abandoned his own bid for governor in January 1988 and joined forces with Bayh and won election as the 46th Lieutenant Governor of Indiana in November 1988.

In 1996, with Evan Bayh ineligible to seek a third consecutive term as governor due to term limits, Frank O'Bannon became the Democratic nominee for governor.

Frank O'Bannon signed landmark legislation creating the AMBER Alert program in Indiana, as well as legislation requiring drivers to slow or change lanes for emergency vehicles stopped along Hoosier roadways.

In 1999, Frank O'Bannon created the Public Access Counselor Office by executive order after a statewide collaboration of seven newspapers found great obstacles in obtaining government information in Indiana.

Frank O'Bannon's opponents blamed him for various problems arising in the second term, including a slow response by his environmental agency to a big fish kill, and problems at two-state centers for the developmentally disabled.

Frank O'Bannon's record was firmly established as an educational leader for the state.

Frank O'Bannon helped lead development of Indiana's first community college system, pushed for early-childhood learning opportunities, development of alternative high schools, and charter schools.

In regards to education, Frank O'Bannon placed emphasis on enhancing the state's public schools.

Frank O'Bannon was able to pass increased funding for education.

Frank O'Bannon attempted to install a stone monument featuring the Ten Commandments on the state capitol grounds.

Frank O'Bannon was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he remained unconscious.

Frank O'Bannon's condition worsened; based on his living will, his family decided to use no further means of support and care.

Frank O'Bannon died on September 13,2003, aged 73, leaving behind his wife Judy, three children and five grandchildren.

Frank O'Bannon donated organs, including his cornea which helped an Illinois woman regain her sight.

Frank O'Bannon's ashes were scattered in the Frank O'Bannon family plot at Cedar Hill Cemetery in his hometown of Corydon, Indiana.

In February 2006, a memorial bust of Frank O'Bannon was placed outside the Indiana Statehouse Senate chambers.

Judy Frank O'Bannon resided in her husband's hometown of Corydon, Indiana, and remained active in Democratic politics and in her husband's newspaper, The Corydon Democrat.

Frank O'Bannon hosted a statewide public television program, Communities Building Community.