Birch BayH: Making a difference
discover the remarkable life of the the author of the 25th amendment and title IX: Birch Bayh
Robert Blaemire (2019); 472 pages; published by Indiana University Press
A remarkable history of one of the most legendary US senators of our time, Birch Bayh: Making a Difference reveals a life and career dedicated to the important issues facing Indiana and the nation, including civil rights and equal rights for women. Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, right before the Great Depression, Birch Bayh served more than 25 years in the Indiana General Assembly (1954–1962) and the United States Senate (1963–1981). His influence was seen in landmark legislation over his tenure, including Title IX, the 25th Amendment, the 26th Amendment, Civil Rights of the Institutionalized, Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Act, and the Bayh-Dole Act. Bayh was also the author, chief Senate sponsor, and floor leader of the Equal Rights Amendment and successfully led the opposition to two Nixon nominees to the Supreme .Court. Robert Blaemire profiles not only the prolific career of this remarkable senator but also an era when compromise and bipartisanship were common in Congress.
What People Are Saying
“As the father of Title IX, Birch Bayh has left a lasting impact on our country. In Birch Bayh: Making a Difference, it is clear his influence and his contributions will continue to affect all Americans for generations to come in many ways.”
— Billy jean king, founder of BJK Leadership institute
“My friend Birch Bayh has led a life of remarkable public service dedicated, always, to 'Making a Difference.' His supporters and opponents will long remember his skill as a campaigner combined with his ability to reach across the political aisle and achieve Constitutional Amendments and timely legislation that have strengthened our nation.”
— richard lugar, former US SEnator from indiana
“Birch Bayh was one of the most consequential lawmakers of the 20th Century, responsible for constitutional amendments and a long list of legislative accomplishments that changed and improved America."
— Norman ornstein, American enterprise intitute
“The story of Birch Bayh's political career is completely inspiring, especially in an era that has lost touch with bipartisanship and civility. A must read for Hoosiers and for anyone interested in how democracy worked, when it really worked.”
— TED WIDMER, historian and former presidential speechwriter
“Robert Blaemire's Making a Difference is a marvelous biography of Birch Bayh, a dynamo in Indiana politics and the national scene throughout the 20th century. My take-away, after reading, was that Bayh, a consummate public servant, would have made an excellent president. Highly recommended!”
— douglas brinkley, professor of history
“In addition to authoring two constitutional amendments—the Twenty-Fifth and Twenty-Sixth—Bayh produced the landmark Title IX legislation... Bob Blaemire has provided an insider's account of Bayh's life and career, and places him among the Hoosier State's leading political figures.”
— ray e. boomhower, indiana historical society press
Bonus Features
When Birch Bayh: Making A Difference was first drafted, it became clear that the book's length would be too long. The folks at Indiana University Press suggested certain parts of the book that might be too "in the weeds" for most readers or would only appeal to a narrower audience, be excerpted from the text and added to a website as bonus features. That is what has been done here. For those who have read the book and may be interested in more stories and detail, these additional chapters are being offered. For those who may not have read the book, perhaps reading these may provide an incentive to learn more about Birch Bayh's life and his times.
Birch Bayh Campaigns
This chapter includes considerably more details from each of the Bayh campaigns from 1962 through 1980.
The Birch Bayh Legacy
There is a long and distinguished list of individuals that worked for Birch Bayh at one time or another. The contributions made by former Bayh staffers is quite impressive and offered here.
Haynsworth and Carswell
Judges Clement Haynsworth and G. Harrold Carwell were nominated by President Richard Nixon to seats on the Supreme Court in 1969 and 1970 and each was rejected by the Senate, something that had never happened before. The opposition in each of these battles was led by Birch Bayh and propelled him into a national profile within the Democratic Party that he had not achieved previously.
Senate Colleagues
The Bayh interviews went into great detail about each member of the United States he served with over 18 years. These candid appraisals presented too much detail for the average reader but are offered here for those who may be interested in this part of the country's history.
Bayh Staff Stories
There were so many thoroughly enjoyable anecdotes provided by former staff that it became necessary to offer them as a separate bonus feature on this site. I hope you enjoy these memories as I have.
Birch Bayh and the Indiana Democratic Party
This chapter was written by the author in 1978, a detailed accounting of the battle to lead Indiana's Democratic Party that Birch Bayh undertook that year. Political junkies may enjoy this slice of Indiana political history that also elucidates a brand of leadership that was exemplified by the Bayh career.