Pacers chairman Jim Morris’ legacy is about finding common ground

John Ruckelshaus
| Indianapolis Star

On July 19, I arrived at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis to attend the Celebration of Life for Jim Morris. The crowd outside was so large that I wondered for a moment whether the church was hosting Jim’s memorial service or a Taylor Swift concert. I had heard Morris sing, so I knew it wasn’t a Taylor Swift gathering.

While music wasn’t among his many talents, Morris was a Swift-sized megastar when it came to serving his community, and his community wasn’t just Indianapolis or Indiana, it was the world. His resume and accomplishments are unparalleled: executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme; chief of staff to former Indianapolis Mayor Richard Lugar; president of the Lilly Endowment; chairman of the Indiana University Board of Trustees and of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.

Additionally, Morris was actively involved in leadership and fundraising activities for the Boy Scouts, the U.S. Olympic Committee, Riley Hospital for Children, and many similar organizations.

Morris dedicated his life to serving others, but the fuel that fueled his extraordinary engine was his ability to bring people and organizations together. There was simply no one better or more dedicated than Morris at finding common ground and acceptable goals.

I witnessed his gift for consensus-building firsthand in the State Senate. Morris was a mentor to me and at times a connector who could bring people and organizations together to solve critical issues facing Hoosiers.

Morris’ passing is a tremendous loss to our nation, state and city. He touched countless lives in his 81 years, always for the better.

But speaker after speaker at Morris’ funeral implored the packed crowd to carry on his greatest legacy, the rock that formed the foundation of his life of service: an unwavering commitment to work to unite, not divide. In our increasingly polarized world, it seems no political party, corporation or organization is immune to the temptation to flood the public square with curses and darkness.

Morris lit not one candle, but thousands. His example can point the way to a society that is more respectful of others and recommitted to the shared goal of creating a more perfect union.

During my many meetings with Morris he always ended with the question, “What can I do for you?”

Jim: I hear you and will continue to focus on uniting and encouraging others to do the same. We can all carry the torch for Morris to solidify his legacy.

John Ruckelshaus is a former senator.