Legislation urging Congress to honor John and Annie Glenn with Congressional Gold Medal passes Ohio Hous

House Minority Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) and state Rep. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) today announced the unanimous House passage of  legislation that urges Congress to award Annie and John Glenn with a Congressional Gold Medal for their lifetime of public service.

“Growing up, I remember thinking of John Glenn as a true American hero, and I know I am not alone. We are immensely proud to call John and Annie Glenn one of our own,” said Strahorn. “We are thankful to have received support from the House to recognize these two amazing Ohioans in hopes that their legacy will be memorialized with all of the exceptional recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.”

John Glenn graduated from the Naval Aviation Cadet Program and joined the Marine Corps in 1943. During that same year, John married his lifelong friend and high school sweetheart, Annie Castor.

“John and Annie’s continued dedication to their country and improving the world around them will never be forgotten. They touched many lives and taught us that one person can indeed change the world,” said Antonio. “We hope Congress will take the next step in honoring them with this prestigious military decoration for their service to our country through their generosity, intelligence and persistence.”

John Glenn led 59 missions with the Marine Fighter Squadron 155 during WWII, and led 63 missions with the Marine Fighter Squadron 311 during the Korean War. He was later selected by NASA as one of the Mercury Seven test pilots and became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962 while flying the Friendship 7. John Glenn later decided to run for public office and was elected to the US Senate in 1974, where he served for 24 years. John passed away on Dec. 8, 2016.

Annie Glenn completed her undergraduate career at Muskingum College with a Bachelor of Science after studying music and education. Born with a severe speech disorder, Annie Glenn completed an intensive speech therapy program in 1973 and dedicated her life to helping others with communications disorders. In 1983 she received the first national award of the American Speech and Hearing Association for serving as an inspiration for those with communicative disorders.

The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.