Ohio House Votes to Send House Bill 27 to the Governor's Desk

COLUMBUS – Amended House Bill 27, which would dedicate the Route 90 bridge over the Grand River in Perry Township in memory of Army Specialist Jacob A. Ashton, received a unanimous concurrence vote from the Ohio House, announced State Representatives Jamie Callender (R-Concord) and Daniel P. Troy (D-Wickliffe). Specialist Ashton was a decorated combat veteran who was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division before his death in August of 2024. 

Specialist Ashton was born in Willoughby to Jason Ashton and Michelle Ustupski where he lived before moving to Perry with his father and playing baseball and football for the Perry Pirates. He enlisted in the Army in 2021 and attended basic combat training at Fort Benning before deploying to Iraq in 2023 with the 10th Mountain Divisions 2nd brigade combat team. His awards and decorations include Army Commendation Medal with C Device, the National Defense Service Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Combat Infantry Badge.

Specialist Ashton is remembered as an avid outdoors man, sportsman, and body builder. He was planning to enter body building competitions and public service upon his discharge. 

House Bill 27 received unanimous support in both committee and on the floor of the Ohio House and Senate.  The bill currently has 26 bipartisan House co-sponsors and 1 Senate co-sponsor, Senator Tim Schaffer. The bill came back to the Ohio House for a concurrence vote as the Senate Transportation Committee added an amendment to change the recipient of the ‘Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’ license plate fees to reflect the organization’s new name, ‘Breakthrough T1D’. 

“While there is nothing that can bring Specialist Ashton back, we can ensure his commitment to his community is not forgotten,” said Callender. “I want to thank my colleagues for their support in honoring the memory of one of Lake County’s great sons and a decorated defender of our nation.”

“Specialist Aston served our nation honorably and was recognized for his heroic and courageous actions during that service,” said Rep. Troy. “His loss was a tragedy, and we hope motorists remember and salute his bravery as they pass over the Grand River on this bridge named in his honor.”

House Bill 27 goes to the Governor’s desk for his signature.