Birch Bayh, 91, Dies; Senator Drove Title IX and 2 Amendments

I was an intern in the summer of 1971 on his small presidential campaign staff after he gave a seminar to our small inaugural class of the LBJ School in Austin that year. I admired him and interacted with him on numerous occasions. He was a classy man, a gentleman, smart, funny and effective. He had a habit of gently punching lightly on the upper arm to say hi because he probably couldn't remember my name. I last saw him in a law office in Indianapolis by happenstance. He lived a long life so it's not sad to say goodbye.

I was thirteen years old in 1976 and remember going into the Bayh headquarters in Boston and asking for a button, I wore it proudly - for at least a couple of months. More importantly, I learned from that distinguished group of Primary candidates what a gracious, learned, selfless and dedicated party the Democrats could be. Names like Udall, Bayh, Harris, Crane, Jackson, and Church, will always remind me of what dignified public service really means. It would be so nice if the current primary candidates took a moment to reflect and learn a bit about their forbearers. They have a lot to learn.

Every now and then someone is born in Indiana and they will become a mensch like Mr. Bayh. Thank you for allowing me to vote at 18 which I did with democratic zeal. Carter/Mondale and Jerry Brown won with my 19 year old vote. To honor Mr. Bayh suffrage should now start at age 16.

I also worked on Sen. Bayh's staff over a period of 9 years. He had the mind of a genius; a heart of gold; and a spine of steel. He was kind to his core and ever the champion for the underdogs who needed one. He worked harder and longer than anyone. He was always learning and actually listened to all sides, even after he'd made up his mind. One of his most notable attributes was his political courage. He didn't hide his liberal bent in a conservative state. He took his commitment to equality and kindness directly to Hoosiers. In a huge Convention Center audience comprised mostly of those heatedly opposed to school bussing, he stayed all day and night to LISTEN to all those wanting to be heard, kindly asking constituents to be kind and respectful to each other. They were. Birch Bayh inspired tremendous loyalty from his staff and supporters, with good reason. If you wanted to point to someone who would be the perfect role model for your children, you'd point to Birch Bayh. He was a good and decent and bright man who defined the term 'servant leader'. He brought those qualities to public policy with an iron clad commitment to the goal that the whole nation benefits when all of its members had an equal chance to benefit. Rest in peace Senator. You made the world a better place.

Our country recently gave John McCain a wonderful memorial service. Birch Bayh is equally deserving.

Occasionally I’ll chat with my more conservative friends, families and their careerist wives. Some of them think history started around 1980. I’ll mention to them that their wives and daughters would not be enjoying some of the opportunities they benefit from if it wasn’t for a Birch Bayh and the others who passed groundbreaking legislation like the Civil Rights act and Title IX.

Bayh came from an era when most of our congressmen and senators were also STATESMEN!! Politicians to be sure, often with vastly different points of view but acutely aware that their mission was to come together in civilized discussion to work out what was best for the people of this country, who they represented!! Bayh did that! Alas, no more. Inside the Beltway it’s “us vs them” and the millions who live outside the Beltway are never, ever considered, save those with fat bank accounts willing to buy from “our representatives” that which bygone integrity kept sacred ..that being going what’s right for America as a whole and the citizens who trust them to do just that! Statesmanship and integrity in Washington...alas, look to see it no more!

Once upon a time I was a 20 year old student at Indina University visiting Washington in the spring of 1969 for an Student Intercollegiate Radio Convention. wlWe drove all night from Bloomington, Indiana, arriving in DC at 6AM. Our rooms weren't ready so we drove to Arlington Cemetery, walked through a break in a temporary construction fence, walked to the JFK Gravesite, and respectfully paused to pay quiet homage. And then a tap on a shoulder by a US Mrine guard who demanded to know how we entered at 7am. He marched us out of there. Back to the hotel and one of us called Senator Bayh's Office. At 10 AM we walked into his office on the Hill and he gave the three of us 20 minutes commiserating with us about Nixon's 1st 90 days and we discussed the Vietnam War. That would NOT happen today with ANY Senator. 20 minutes. Last minute! Not at all. He was a gentleman, honarable, extremely bright, and very compassionate. The world just lost a gentle giant. Oh that today's Senators were like Birch Bayh.

A good man. If only we had rid ourselves of the cursed Electoral College a couple of decades ago.

I turned 18 in 1972, and was part of that first cohort of 18-21 year olds to vote for president. I was well aware, that at last I and my peers, the males of whom could be sent to war, could at last vote for those who made those decisions. I have never missed an election since. Thank you Birch Bayh, for the 26th amendment. This was justice.

I was never a Bayh fan, but in fairness to him, that "juvenile, corny" campaign song had a purpose. The lyrics "...he's your kind of guy...and his last name is Bayh" taught voters unfamiliar with him how to pronounce his last name.

The people of Indiana used to vote for reasonable and intelligent leaders like Mr. Bayh. But those days are gone, as they have joined much of rural and small-town America in a decent into head-in-the-sand paranoia. Indiana and the other parts of the U.S. that have become known as "Red" need to ask how they got to this place. Was it (1) anti-God liberals driving the nation to the devil, or was it (2) people with closed minds and the unwillingness to change and adapt and thrive as the world changes? I vote number 2.

A true statesman, one who worked for the betterment of our country and Constitution.

One of the best ever because he knew how to get things done, with Kennedy, Dole and multiple presidents. Now it's time for a perspective piece on how Indiana's political majority migrated from bipartisan Bayh to parasitic Pence in 3 decades.

Yes, the Senate had states people "back in the day." Bayh was one.

I had the opportunity to meet Sen. Bayh on several occasions after he retired and moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He was invariably warm and gracious and very conscious of doing the right thing. He was very aware of the threats to the environment and keenly interested in education. We were fortunate to count him among our leaders.

One of the most important Senators of the 20th century. His fingerprints are all over important, positive changes for America. I volunteered for his presidential run. The country would be a better place if he had been elected.

He reminds us that America once respected integrity and at least public morality in its leaders. And that's no lie.

I spent three years on Senator Bayh's staff. He is well remembered for his legislative achievements. They were many and meaningful. But I remember him for his basic decency. I saw Birch Bayh up close and personal and on some stressful occasions. I never saw him have a fit of temper or to ever berate an staff member. He was a kind and thoughtful man. It is said that no man is a hero to his own valet. He was and is a hero to me.

While I'm sorry to hear of Sen. Bayh's passing, I welcome the opportunity for those who are too young to know of this great and wonderful man and his brilliant achievements to stop, read, learn, and then think about what they themselves might do. Birch Bayh is a beacon for making positive change happen. He so often made it so.

I once dined at a Washington DC-area restaurant, and noticed Sen. Bayh (retired) eating at a nearby table. We also noticed some other famous politician dining at another table. At one point, Sen. Bayh arose, went over to the other politician's table, and said, "Excuse me, I used to be Birch Bayh!" I was impressed with the humility and humanity of this giant of the Senate. Rest in peace.

Rest in peace, Senator. You fought the good fight from and for Indiana, a state not often receptive to progressives. Yet your many victories prove that there is a path forward even when things seem impossible. it just takes time and timing and the right messenger. Hoosiers will not forget you!

Senator Bayh was a childhood hero of mine, who I would have voted for in 1976, if I had been of voting age. (I was 17). I wish we had representation like him in Congress today.

Senator Bayh‘s exemplary record is a good reminder that many self-professed liberals who use the term “old white men” as an insult are as ignorant and discriminatory in their thinking as those they condemn for sexism and misogyny.

Who will be the Birch Bayh of our time?

At one point in time, Indiana could be proud of the people we sent to Washington.

He wrote more words in the Constitution than anyone since James Monroe. He also had to take his bar examination twice, as did I. I always tell this story to people taking the bar examination when appropriate.

wow, we need a biography of this politician and amazing public champion.

Birch Bath: integrity, dignity, erudition. Virtues sorely lacking in many of our present leaders. RIP to a true patriot.

A true champion of equality and one of its most important tools, title IX. As a college professor who has tracked the careers of thousands of female athletes, I have seen its benefits every day. If this was the only thing he had accomplished it would give him immortality, but he did so much more. RIP

I didn't know about Senator Bayh, but am impressed by his influence over the years and taking up "women's issues." If only his idea on direct democratic election of the president had moved forward, would've changed the course of history. Certainly an idea to be revisited.

Senator Birch Bayh. I am ashamed to admit: I had no idea he was still living. May he rest in peace. A personal note. I attended Cornell University for a while. In Ithaca, New York. There are restaurants in Ithaca, so I walked into one with a friend once-- --and they had on display a photo of Mr. Bayh. Looking young--involved--eminently in control. Having an animated conversation with someone. It makes my heart ache to think of all those old-time liberals. And yes! those old-time conservatives as well. Back when the two parties were talking to each other. Capable (by and large) of mutual courtesy, mutual respect. Those days are gone, aren't they. Long gone. This is not Susan writing but her husband. My wife has a PhD. in chemistry. She worked (as a scientist) for a large corporation--had a fine career--retired around six years ago. And she could tell you stuff about colleges and corporations that spotted a woman a mile off. And slammed the door shut. She's encountered it herself. VERY often? No. VERY bad? No. But often enough. And bad enough. But that about Mr. Bayh's wife! Shocking! That was indeed a "cram course." But he was a quick study. He picked it up fast. I am unwilling to stop, New York Times. Is it my imagination that looks back upon; (1) liberals who (at the same time) were wise--prudent. (2) conservatives that had a heart? Maybe it is. Senator Bayh-- --rest in peace. God bless you.

This 69 year old Hoosier remembers when his home state send the best to the Congress. Bayh, Hartke, Lugar and more. Now, with the exception of Indianapolis and a few other areas, we're back to "Hee-Haw" land.

When he was deployed to Europe in WWII, he emptied garden seed packets into pockets of his clothes and sorted them out later so he and his fellow soldiers could have a garden with fresh vegetables. Indiana State University named it's College of Education after him (although he graduated from Purdue but his mother had graduated from Indiana State Normal School (later ISU). His legislative record as a Senator is incredible. Title IX, 18 year olds right to vote, and replacement procedure for VP. The last two being Constitutional Amendments.

A good man and a class act. Such a contrast to the spineless, amoral and craven creatures who now inhabit our nation's politics. He will be missed.

Class act. Putting and keeping Indiana on the map in the best sense of it.

The obituary fails to mention another key part of Senator Bayh’s legacy: the Bayh-Dole Act, which enables universities, non-profit research institutions, and other organizations to own, patent, and commercialize inventions developed from federally funded research programs. This Act is widely regarded as instrumental for the massive growth of the biotechnology industry in this country. May he Rest In Peace.

Now there’s a champion! Look at what we’ve got today. Take a good look and vote!

In reading about this remarkable life, I can only think, from this, to Pence? What happened to Indiana? For that matter, what's happened to our country?