Otis Bowen

Otis R. Bowen, M.D. (February 26, 1918 – May 4, 2013), was the governor of the American state of Indiana from 1973 to 1981. He was the first governor of Indiana to serve two consecutive terms. He was also the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services on the cabinet of President Ronald Reagan.

Otis Ray Bowen, M.D.
4th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
In office December 13, 1985 – January 20, 1989
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Margaret Heckler
Succeeded by	Louis Wade Sullivan
44th Governor of Indiana
In office January 9, 1973 – January 13, 1981
Lieutenant	Robert D. Orr
Preceded by	Edgar Whitcomb
Succeeded by	Robert D. Orr
Personal details
Born	(1918-02-26)February 26, 1918 Fulton County, Indiana
Died	May 4, 2013(2013-05-04) (aged 95) Donaldson, Indiana
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Pearl Irene Wright
Children	4
Education	Valparaiso University
Profession	Physician

Early life

Bowen was born in a farmhouse in Fulton County, Indiana. He raised his family, practiced medicine, and began his political career while living in Bremen, Indiana, where he still lives today.

Career

On Labor Day weekend in September 1973, Governor Bowen declared amnesty for a group of inmates that took hostages and rioted at the Indiana State Prison. Although his decision to give "blanket amnesty" was a controversial one, it proved to be the correct decision as all the hostages, who were not only guards, but also a few select inmates who were otherwise weak and preyed upon, were released without harm. The guards who were subsequently released after a short meeting took place between the leaders of the riot and Governor Bowen in front of b-block....the inmate negotiation took only a few minutes between the governor and a group of inmates led by one Thomas D Brown (ISP#37151) serving 10 years for armed robbery, and was compelling enough to cause Gov. Bowen to declare a successful "blanket amnesty".

The governor's action preceded a "domino effect" of changes made in all aspects of the Indiana Department of Corrections. The changes involved personnel, regulations and conditions within areas of the system, e.g. medical, food, access to media, and disciplinary aspects of every day life.

Death

Bowen died on May 4, 2013 in his home in Donaldson, Indiana at the age of 95. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Otis Bowen Media

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  Bowen with President Gerald Ford in 1976

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  Bowen being sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services in 1985

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  Bowen at a community event in 2007