Former senator shares memories of life and politics

In November 1969, former Vice-President Hubert Humphrey penned a letter to U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh, an Indiana Democrat, praising Bayh’s leadership role in the hearings of Supreme Court nominee Clement Haynsworth.\n“You are building a remarkable record of achievement,” Humphrey wrote. “All of us are proud of you.”\nThis same prideful sentiment filled the Lilly Library Main Gallery Wednesday night as former Sen. Bayh spoke before a mostly adult crowd of about 100 invited guests, including former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton, another Indiana Democrat, and Indiana Speaker of the House Pat Bauer. Bayh shared his appreciation for those who supported him throughout his life and political career.\n“I can’t get over it,” Bayh said as he surveyed the guests standing before him. “Without you there wouldn’t have been any (of my senatorial) papers.”\nBayh’s visit to IU coincides with the library’s “The Art of Leadership” exhibition, which chronicles Bayh’s Hoosier roots and traces his legislative accomplishments as a U.S. senator from 1963 to 1980, according to the IU Libraries’ Web site. Appearing until May 5, the exhibition includes highlights from the nearly 1,300 boxes of papers donated to the library.\nBayh also shared memories about his childhood on his grandparents’ farm, along with those about his faith and his political career. Holding up a photo presented to him by Bauer earlier in the evening, Bayh, who served as Indiana’s speaker of the house in 1959, spoke about his choice of wardrobe in the picture.\n“They say confession is good for the soul,” Bayh said, laughing. “If you look closely, I’ve got white socks on.”\nEmotion filled Bayh’s voice throughout the speech as well, particularly when speaking about late wife Marvella and current wife, Katherine Halpin. Bayh spoke about the first time he met Halpin. A guest of the ABC network at a National Press Club dinner, Bayh was seated next to Halpin, who served as director of news information for ABC in Washington. \n“Maybe it was a coincidence,” Bayh said, his voice breaking. “I think probably not.”\nIU freshman Cory Cochran’s grandfather, Indiana state representative Bill Cochran, grew up with Bayh.\n“I got a really good history lesson,” the younger Cochran said of Bayh’s speech. “I learned a lot about him.”\nHamilton, who has known Bayh for more than 50 years and introduced the former senator for the event, said the evening was wonderful.\n“This is a marvelous event for me because it brought back so many memories of Senator Bayh,” Hamilton said.\nA sense of honor and gratefulness from and towards Bayh pervaded the evening. Bayh thanked the people of Indiana and the guests at the event for making his successes possible.\n“I had 18 years to do exactly what I wanted to do with my life,” Bayh said. “Some people can live to be a hundred and don’t have a week.”