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Media contacts:
Kim Schuette: 614.297.2314 or kschuette@ohiohistory.org or Maggie Ostrowski: 614.995.1280 or maggie.ostrowski@senate.state.oh.us
For Immediate Release: May 12, 2010
Statuary Hall Countdown: Ohioans Have 30 Days Left To Choose Who Should Stand Ohio
Votes Must Be Cast By June 12
(COLUMBUS,OHIO)?With just 30 days left, Ohioans have an historic opportunity to vote for their choice of 10 famous figures from Ohio’s past to represent the state in National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The public vote will be the single, greatest factor in determining ultimately who will stand for Ohio. To date, about 10,000 ballots have been cast.
The National Statuary Collection Study Committee has been charged with making a recommendation to the full Ohio General Assembly for which Ohioan would be best to replace the current statue of former Governor William Allen, whose views on race are not representative of Ohioans today. Starting with a list of more than 90 names, the Committee narrowed the field to 10 nominees and is actively seeking the input of all Ohioans through June 12 in order to make a final recommendation to the General Assembly sometime in July.
“To date, we’re pleased with the number of people who have participated in the process, but we definitely want as many as possible to weigh-in on the decision over the next month,” said Burt Logan, executive director and CEO of the Ohio Historical Society, the organization overseeing the voting process. “This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for all Ohioans, no matter their age, to have a say about who will represent the state at the U.S. Capitol.”
”We are calling on all Ohioans to head out to a participating historic site or museum and vote,” said Senator Wagoner, who chairs the National Statuary Collection Study Committee. “This process has been a fun way for Ohioans to learn more about Ohio history through the eyes of 10 outstanding nominees, to visit and appreciate our historic sites and most importantly, to play a role in making their own history.”
The nominees to replace Governor Allen include: abolitionist and former member of Congress James Ashley; inventor Thomas Edison; 18th President of the United States and Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant; former congressman who led the fight to enact historic civil rights legislation William McCulloch; Olympic athlete Jesse Owens; astronaut Judith Resnik, who was killed while serving on the Challenger mission; Doctor Albert Sabin, who developed the oral polio vaccine; Harriet Beecher Stowe, who authored “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”; suffragist Harriet Taylor Upton, and the Wright Brothers, who are credited with inventing, building and successfully flying the first airplane.
Once the decision has been made and private funds have been raised, the new statute will join the statue of President James Garfield as Ohio representatives in Statuary Hall.
Ohioans can cast a ballot at one of 36 historic sites and museums around the state. They also can download a ballot online, fill it out completely and mail it to Ohio Statuary Vote in care of the Ohio Historical Society at 1982 Velma Ave., Columbus, OH 43211 or e-mail it to ohiostatue@ohiohistory.org. All ballots must be postmarked or e-mailed by June 12.
For more information about the National Statuary Collection Study Committee and the voting process, visit www.legacyforohio.org. The Web site also includes biographies of the 10 finalists, podcasts that provide testimony supporting each one and lesson plans for teachers and their students.
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