Reps. Troy, Callendar Announces Unanimous Passage of House Bill 61

COLUMBUS – State Representatives Daniel Troy (D-Willowick) and Jamie Callender (R-Concord)  today announced that House Bill (HB) 61, to designate November 19th as “James A. Garfield Day, was unanimously passed by the Ohio Senate yesterday 31-0.  

“At the request of National Park Service officials at the James A. Garfield Home and National Historical Site in my district, I was asked to introduce this legislation,” said Representative Troy. “James A. Garfield was a true son of Northeast Ohio who rose to the highest office in our nation. He had such promise, as someone who knew how to compromise and reach common ground on the important issues of his day. He was passionate in his efforts to end the spoils system, and its blatant political patronage practices. Unfortunately, President Garfield became our second President to expire from an assassin’s bullet. Sadly, that great promise was not realized. I think it’s fitting that we formally declare November 19th as James A. Garfield Day in Ohio.”

“I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate for their unanimous support of HB 61,” said Representative Callender. “It is long overdue for Ohio to recognize the achievements of President James A. Garfield as not only one of Ohio’s finest sons but as an educator, public servant, and legislator.”

Native Ohioan James A. Garfield served in the Civil War, was a member of the U. S. House of Representatives, and was elected as our 20th President in 1880.

The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature into law.