PRESS RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS (Press Release) Former State Representative Phyllis Pond (R- New Haven) has passed away after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in September.

Rep. Pond was elected to the state legislature in 1978 and was the longest serving female state representative in the history of Indiana. She was also the first female lawmaker to earn a seat in the front row in the House Chamber, which is reserved for House leaders or representatives with the most seniority.

“Today, the State of Indiana mourns the loss of a leader and a friend to all Hoosiers. Phyllis was a revered colleague, a strong voice for her district and a compassionate conservative who always stood by her principles,” said House Speaker Brian C. Bosma (R-Indianapolis).

Prior to being elected to the legislature, Rep. Pond worked as a kindergarten teacher. From this experience, she authored the Primetime Education Bill which capped kindergarten through third grade classroom sizes at 18. During her 35 years of service in the House, she was also instrumental in crafting many other key pieces of legislation to improve the livelihood and education of Hoosier students.