Joe Donnelly: “today, I wish to recognize and honor the extraordinary service of Wayne Townsend, a lifelong Hoosier who spent 23 years…”

“today, I wish to recognize and honor the extraordinary service of Wayne Townsend, a lifelong Hoosier who spent 23 years in the Indiana State legislature and was the 1984 Democratic nominee for Governor. Wayne passed away on July 3, 2015, at the age of 89. A native of Grant County, Wayne dedicated his life to Indiana and embodied the true definition of a public servant. Throughout his legislative career, Wayne was a tireless advocate for Hoosier public schools and helped lead the effort to pass the School Reorganization Act of 1959 and its reauthorization in 1965. He also was a strong advocate for equal rights. Throughout his political career, Wayne remained humble and caring. He served as a role model to all Hoosiers and tirelessly fought to improve the lives of millions. I had the privilege of meeting Wayne on several occasions. His dedication to public service inspired me to create the Wayne Townsend Legislative Program in his honor. The Townsend Program affords college students and recent graduates the opportunity to serve Indiana by working in our Washington, DC, office for a semester. Wayne has been an important mentor to me during my own legislative career, and his legacy continues to motivate me today. Born on May 1, 1926, on his family's farm in Grant County, the youngest of six children, Wayne graduated from Jefferson Township High School and went on to study agriculture at Purdue University.…”