INDIANAPOLIS -
House Speaker Patrick Bauer, a fellow Democrat, said yesteday.
The state will do well in his hands said longtime Senate Finance Chairman Larry Borst, a Republican.
The state Supreme Court formally transferred power to Kernan, 57, on Wednesday, two days after O'Bannon was found unconscious in his hotel room while attending a trade conference. O'Bannon, 73, died Saturday at a Chicago hospital, and Kernan was sworn in as governor about six hours later.
After the ceremony, Kernan asked Hoosiers to remember O'Bannon yesterday, suggesting the day be one of reflection sorrow and joy for a life that was lived to the fullest in the service of the people of Indiana.
Public services are planned for next weekend.
O'Bannon's body will be cremated and his ashes interred later in a private service at a cemetery in his hometown of Corydon, the governor's office said.
Parishioners at St. John Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis prayed for the new governor and for O'Bannon.
We deeply respect the marvelous work that Gov. O'Bannon did as the leader of our state
said Rev. Thomas J. Murphy, the church's pastor.
Kernan met last week with agency heads and O'Bannon's staff to begin the transition of power. Katherine Bull, Kernan's spokeswoman, said that after a private day, he planned more internal meetings Monday.
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by Mike Smith
