O'Bannon a true Hoosier

What is a Hoosier?\nGov. Frank O'Bannon had an idea. At his inauguration in 1997, he said: "Let us never forget that our shared values -- our sacred values, our love of Indiana -- united us as Hoosiers." \nToday, we're united again. And again, it's thanks to Frank O'Bannon.\nFive days after suffering a massive stroke, O'Bannon died surrounded by his family at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago Saturday.\nHigher education lost a friend.\n During his time in office, O'Bannon helped create Indiana's community college system, providing more opportunities for Hoosiers to gain post-secondary education and the skills needed to succeed in today's volatile job market.\nEven days before his stroke, O'Bannon visited Purdue to join state and university leaders in supporting the ground breaking of the university's own version of a new "Silicon Valley" for nanotechnology in the state. He was always on the side of education and he understood the importance of research universities even in the face of the current financial crunch. \nIU lost a friend.\nO'Bannon was one of IU's most beloved graduates and a true Hoosier. Participating in Indiana's favorite past-time, he started on the freshman basketball team in 1948. Shorter than the average player, he made up for his lack of height with attitude, said IU trustee and pal from his undergrad days Fred Eichhorn.\nAfter two years in the Air Force, O'Bannon returned to IU to earn his law degree. He even met his wife at the University, when in 1957, he went on a blind date with Judith "Judy" Mae Asmus.\nHis relationship with IU didn't stop there. The governor was an avid IU sports fan, making it to as many football games as his schedule allowed.\nThe state of Indiana lost a friend. \nUnder O'Bannon's leadership, the state built a record $2 billion budget surplus in the late 90s, and he succeeded in cutting taxes by $1.5 billion. In his second term, he proposed major tax restructuring and a comprehensive economic development plan. But it wasn't all success. O'Bannon received criticism for his leadership style and policy decisions after the state hit a recession resulting in the loss of 120,000 jobs, tax increases and cuts in social services. Despite setbacks, O'Bannon remained determined to serve Hoosiers and invest in the future, a tribute to his character.\nThe people of Indiana lost a friend.\nFrank O'Bannon was a role model to us in life and in death, a compassionate leader who served the public for more than 30 years.\nWhat is a Hoosier?\nFrank O'Bannon.