Indiana hero made IL history

Mark Bair, a true Indiana hero, died on Saturday, June 9, 2007. 

He was one of the first members of the Indiana Statewide Independent
Living Council. Years later, he joined again and finally came to
recognize what the councilbs true mission and responsibility to the
people was. So he started reading the law and listening to the people.

As documented through numerous postings found in the DIMENET archives,
his efforts werenbt well received.

On November 13, 2001, Mark made history when he was the first SILC chair
elected by the membership to be illegally removed by the Governor. Some
folks had edited and distorted the video-taped history of him actually
following the direction he had gotten from RSA, who said that the
statebs actions were legal. Ultimately, that led to some amendments to
the legislation, but not until after he had been browbeaten and
humiliated for trying to do the right thing.

Mark stayed on the council, but had to deal with conversations like the
following one, when he objected to the councilbs refusal to allow
anyone to wear t-shirts or hold up signs that said mean things.b

Mark Bair:  You know, independent living is not something that's just a
milk toast,

sit around and have crumpets meeting. There's also going to be some
discussion and dissension and disagreement.

Al Tolbert: And that's fine, but when you bring people in that's just
making a demonstration of it, and using their agenda doesn't meet the
needs of the councilb&.

Mark Bair:  Therebs a lot of things Al, that you and I disagree with, I
guess. 

Al Tolbert:  That's why you're there and I'm here.  That's the reason why
I'm running a center and you're notb&..The only reason you wasn't taken
out of the meeting is because your mother was there, keep that in mind.
The only reason you weren't taken out of the room is because your mother
was there.

Mark Bair:   I see.  Why would I have been taken out of the meeting?

Al Tolbert: Anybody that provides a disruption to the meeting I'll be
removing them, okay?

Ultimately, Markbs health and family concerns led to his resignation
from the Indiana SILC.  But even from the nursing home he ended up in, he
continued to do what he could to build a true disability community in the
state of Indiana.

He was a good man, vilified by those whom he had once called friend.
Those of us who later truly became so shall miss him very much.