[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 11, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H1697-H1701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE ADMISSION OF OHIO INTO THE UNION 
  AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OHIO RESIDENTS TO THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND 
               CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 122) recognizing the bicentennial of 
the admission of Ohio into the Union and the contributions of Ohio 
residents to the economic, social, and cultural development of the 
United States.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 122

       Whereas Ohio residents will celebrate 2003 as the 200th 
     anniversary of Ohio's admission into the Union;

[[Page H1698]]

       Whereas Ohio was the 17th State to be admitted to the Union 
     and was the first State to be created from the Northwest 
     Territory;
       Whereas ``Ohio'' is derived from the Iroquois word meaning 
     ``great river'', referring to the Ohio River which forms the 
     southern boundary and a portion of the eastern boundary of 
     the State;
       Whereas Ohio was the site of battles of the American Indian 
     Wars, French and Indian Wars, Revolutionary War, the War of 
     1812, and the Civil War;
       Whereas in the nineteenth century, Ohio, a free state, was 
     an important stop on the Underground Railroad as a 
     destination for more than 100,000 individuals escaping 
     slavery and seeking freedom;
       Whereas Ohio, which is known as ``The Mother of 
     Presidents'', has given eight United States presidents to the 
     Nation, including William Henry Harrison, Ulysses S. Grant, 
     Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, 
     William McKinley, William H. Taft, and Warren G. Harding;
       Whereas Ohio inventors, including Thomas Edison 
     (incandescent light bulb), Orville and Wilbur Wright (first 
     in flight), Henry Timken (roller bearings), Charles Kettering 
     (automobile starter), Charles Goodyear (process of 
     vulcanizing rubber), Garrett Morgan (traffic light), and Roy 
     Plunkett (Teflon), created the basis for modern living as we 
     know it;
       Whereas Ohio, which is also known as ``The Birthplace of 
     Aviation'', has been home to 24 astronauts, including John 
     Glenn, Neil Armstrong, and Judith Resnik;
       Whereas Ohio has a rich sports tradition and has produced 
     many sports legends, including Annie Oakley, Jesse Owens, Cy 
     Young, Jack Nicklaus, and Nancy Lopez;
       Whereas Ohio has produced many distinguished writers 
     including Harriet Beecher Stowe, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Toni 
     Morrison, and James Thurber;
       Whereas the agriculture and agribusiness industry is and 
     has long been the number one industry in Ohio, contributing 
     $73,000,000,000 annually to Ohio's economy and employing 1 in 
     6 Ohioans, and that industry's tens of thousands of Ohio 
     farmers and 14,000,000 acres of Ohio farmland feed the people 
     of the State, the Nation, and the world;
       Whereas the enduring manufacturing economy of Ohio is 
     responsible for \1/4\ of Ohio's Gross State Product, provides 
     over one million well-paying jobs to Ohioans, exports 
     $26,000,000,000 in products to 196 countries, and provides 
     over $1,000,000,000 in tax revenues to local schools and 
     governments;
       Whereas Ohio is home to over 140 colleges and universities 
     which have made significant contributions to the intellectual 
     life of the State and Nation, and continued investment in 
     education is Ohio's promise to future economic development in 
     the ``knowledge economy'' of the 21st century;
       Whereas, from its inception, Ohio has been a prime 
     destination for immigrants, and the rich cultural and ethnic 
     heritage that has been interwoven into the spirit of the 
     people of Ohio and that enriches Ohio's communities and the 
     quality of life of its residents is both a tribute to, and 
     representative of, the Nation's diversity;
       Whereas Ohio began celebrations commemorating its 
     bicentennial on March 1, 2003, in Chillicothe, the first 
     capital of Ohio; and
       Whereas the bicentennial celebrations will include 
     Inventing Flight in Dayton (celebrating the centennial of 
     flight), Tall Ships on Lake Erie, Tall Stacks on the Ohio 
     River, Red, White, and Bicentennial Boom in Columbus, and the 
     Bicentennial Wagon Train across the State: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes--
       (1) the bicentennial of the admission of Ohio into the 
     Union;
       (2) the residents of Ohio for their important contributions 
     to the economic, social, and cultural development of the 
     United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Turner) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner).

                              {time}  1415


                             General Leave

  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks on H. Res. 122, the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 122 introduced by 
my distinguished colleague from my home State of Ohio (Mr. Regula) 
recognizes the bicentennial of Ohio into the Union and the contribution 
to the economic, social, and cultural development of the United States.
  The Iroquois Indians were the first to recognize the significance of 
the vast region of the Northwest Territory. Ohio is named after the 
Iroquois word meaning ``great river.''
  The 2003 Ohio bicentennial celebration allows us the time to 
recognize the many contributions Ohioans have made to our country and 
the world. Because of its former canals, navigable rivers, railroads 
and roads, we are known as the Gateway State that provided for western 
migration. Our interstate transportation system is still one of the 
most used in the country, and Ohio is a powerhouse in the American 
economy.
  We are proud of our native sons and daughters who have contributed to 
our great country. Ohio calls herself the mother of Presidents, Ulysses 
S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, 
William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and Warren Harding all native 
Ohioans.
  As a native Daytonian I am most proud of Ohio's aviation heritage. 
Dayton's Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is the largest air force base 
in the world and is the place where Orville and Wilbur Wright perfected 
flight. Annually, the Air Force Museum at the Wright-Patterson Air 
Force Base hosts a million visitors. In fact, Ohio boasts four 
significant aviation firsts: Orville and Wilbur Wright, first in 
powered flight; John Glenn, first man to orbit the Earth; Neil 
Armstrong, first man on the Moon; Judith Resnick, the first woman in 
space.
  Ohio has been the home to 24 astronauts. In fact, Ohio's aviation 
history is recognized on the U.S. quarter for Ohio in the U.S. Mint 
series. But these memorable facts are only the beginning of the Ohio's 
story.
  This year of 2003, the 200th birthday celebration of Ohio's 
statehood, allows us a full year to reflect on our heritage and to 
remind ourselves of how fortunate we are to be proud Americans. 
Therefore, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House 
Resolution 122.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join in support of this resolution 
recognizing the bicentennial of the admission of Ohio into the Union 
and the contributions of Ohio residents to the economic, social, and 
cultural development of the United States.
  Madam Speaker, this year the residents of Ohio will celebrate the 
200th anniversary of their State's admission into the Union. They will 
celebrate the fact that Ohio inventors, including Thomas Edison, 
Orville and Wilbur Wright, Henry Timken, Charles Goodyear, Garrett 
Morgan, and Roy Plunkett, created the basis for modern living as we 
know it.
  They will celebrate the fact that Ohio is the birthplace of aviation. 
It has been home to 24 astronauts, including John Glenn, Neal Armstrong 
and Judith Resnick. They will celebrate the many distinguished writers 
Ohio has produced like Harriet Beecher Stowe, Paul Laurence Dunbar, 
Toni Morrison, and James Thurber.
  However, one of Ohio's most profound contributions to the economic, 
social, and cultural development in the United States is the intricate 
role it played in the Underground Railroad.
  Ohio's governing document, The Ordinance of 1787, states that ``There 
shall be neither slave nor involuntary servitude in the said territory, 
otherwise than in the punishment of crime.'' The slavery that did occur 
in Ohio was in the outermost portions of the territory that did not 
become part of the State of Ohio.
  The Ordinance of 1787 not only attracted those fleeing the perils of 
slavery to Ohio, but also attracted various groups whose idealogy 
resonated with the State's anti-slavery sentiment. Quakers, Baptists, 
Methodists, and Presbyterians were among the groups who found 
themselves drawn to Ohio due to their opposition to slavery.
  The Underground Railroad consisted of stations, places where runaways 
could hide, eat, and take refuge during the day. It was not a single 
route. It was a complex web of main and branch routes. Essential to 
navigating the Railroad were the conductors who served as guides to 
those travelers making their way to freedom. Ohio was one of the most 
heavily traveled States along the escape routes of slaves.
  In addition to being a reasonable distance from north to south, Ohio 
provided access to Canada via Lake Erie.

[[Page H1699]]

Slaves were able to take advantage of Ohio's first commercial railroad. 
Many of the staff on the commercial railroads also served as conductors 
on the Underground Railroad.
  Ohio and its citizens have carved out a rich place in American 
history, well deserving of our recognition. Therefore, I am indeed 
proud and pleased to join with my colleagues in celebrating the 
development of this great State as a part of the Union which we know as 
the United States of America.
  Madam Speaker, I do not have any further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to my colleague, the gentleman from the State of Ohio (Mr. 
Regula), the distinguished sponsor of this legislation.
  Mr. REGULA. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
time.
  Madam Speaker, I first want to compliment the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Davis) on an excellent summary of the role of the State of Ohio in 
dealing with the issue of slavery. We are building a museum in 
Cincinnati, Ohio, which was the key spot on the Underground Railroad. 
And as you travel throughout Ohio, you will find a number of 
communities that will have a marker saying that this community was one 
of the stations along the way. So I think it is great that the 
gentleman gave the Members and the audience that watches C-SPAN an 
understanding of Ohio's role, and it is a proud one, in dealing with 
these issues.
  Ohio is popularly known as ``The Mother of Presidents.'' Our good 
friends from the State of Virginia like to take issue with that, but we 
claim eight in our State, one of whom served the 16th District of Ohio 
in Congress. That would be President William McKinley, who was also 
chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means. And if you go next door to 
the headquarters of the Committee on Appropriations, you will see a 
portrait of James Garfield, who also served in Congress and as chairman 
of Appropriations.
  Madam Speaker, I think our colleague from Illinois has touched on a 
number of the important people that are part of Ohio history. I do not 
know if he mentioned Thomas Alva Edison, who started what is today a 
great industry in terms of providing electricity, and certainly his 
contributions in progress and industry were a result of hard work. 
Thomas Edison used to say, ``Genius was 1 percent inspiration and 99 
percent perspiration.''
  The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) mentioned John Glenn and his 
role. We are all very familiar with that. And so I think we in Ohio can 
take great pride in the part that our State has played in the history 
of this Nation's space program.
  We have had a number of people in science who developed different 
things that are important to all of us. The Inventure Place is in 
Akron, Ohio. It tells the story of inventors in the United States. It 
is a hall of fame for inventors.
  We have, of course, in Canton, Ohio the Football Hall of Fame. Many 
people are very familiar with that. And I would also mention that we 
have the National First Ladies Historic Site. It is the newest unit in 
the Park Service that tells how First Ladies have made a very great 
impact on the history of our Nation.
  These are all things that give us pride in the State of Ohio and, 
since I did mention McKinley, I would add that as President of the 
United States he was perhaps the first one to recognize that the United 
States was no longer an insular nation, and he became a champion of 
international trade. He championed the Open Door Policy to China and 
many other issues involving trade. And of course as a result of 
Spanish-American War, the United States became a world player. And we 
know today that the world looks to, at least part of it, in this day 
and age, looks to the United States for leadership. But William 
McKinley made a very great impact on the path this Nation has taken 
from originally being very protectionist, very insular to that of a 
Nation that does set the challenge to other nations to follow suit.
  I would urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution. It 
recognizes that Ohio has been a State since 1803 and as such has made 
many great contributions to our Nation's history.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to my colleague, the gentleman from the State of Ohio (Mr. 
Gillmor).
  (Mr. GILLMOR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILLMOR. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of this 
resolution honoring the bicentennial of the State of Ohio.
  Madam Speaker, I want to commend my colleague from Dayton (Mr. 
Turner) for sponsoring this resolution which pays tribute to the 
contributions of Ohioans to the economic, the social, and the cultural 
welfare of this country. I think it could objectively be said that no 
State surpasses Ohio in terms of the contribution that our people have 
made to the development of this country.
  It is truly a diverse State from the Ohio River in the South to Lake 
Erie on the North. It has big businesses, small businesses, 
agricultural, recreational destinations.
  The Buckeye State has developed also one of the finest educational 
systems in the United States. It is home to over 140 respective 
institutions with at least one college university or branch campus 
within 25 miles of every Ohioan.
  It is home to a number of unique and extraordinary people, fast, 
first, most and best in the country.
  Our State has given the United States eight presidents, one of whom 
was from my district, Rutherford B. Hayes; 24 astronauts, including the 
STS-70 All Ohio Shuttle Mission; and a plethora of sports legends, 
statesmen, distinguished writers, and successful aviators, Orville and 
Wilbur Wright, just to name two. Also, Neil Armstrong from Ohio was the 
first man to walk on the Moon.
  Fellow northwest Ohioan, Thomas Edison, who was born in my district, 
would invent the light bulb, the phonograph, the stock ticker, and the 
movie projector. The combination of Mr. Edison and the Wright brothers 
truly makes Ohio the land of light and flight.
  Ohio also holds claim to having America's first shopping center, its 
first kindergarten, its first chewing gum patent, its first 
professional baseball team, and the first hot dog.
  Van Wert, which is located in my district, was the site of the first 
public library in this country. A few of the firsts in my district, and 
this could be repeated in districts all across Ohio: In my district the 
Whirlpool Corporation in Clyde, Ohio, manufactures more clothes washing 
machines than any plant in the world. The Heinz plant in Fremont 
produces more ketchup than any place in the world. It produces enough 
ketchup to fill 3.2 million 14-ounce bottles every single day.

                              {time}  1430

  The R.R. Donnelley plant prints the most Bibles in the world. Arm and 
Hammer Baking Soda, in my hometown of Oldport, produces more baking 
soda than anywhere else, and we also have in my district in Tiffen, the 
world's largest manufacturer of porcelain toilet fixtures used by 
people throughout America.
  Let me say that we are proud of our State. We are proud of what 
Ohioans have accomplished in history, and I would urge support for the 
resolution and say, happy birthday, Ohio.
  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson).
  Mr. HOBSON. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to be here today. I want 
to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), my colleague from 
Navarre, for introducing this and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner), 
my colleague from Dayton, who is a brand-new Member from the State of 
Ohio. This is the first bill I think he has done on the floor of the 
House, and it is always quite an experience for any of us.
  I want to take this time to talk a little bit about the Buckeye 
State, the bicentennial of our great State. This event was especially 
significant to us in central Ohio because Chillicothe was one of the 
primary sites for the celebration since it was the location of the 
State constitutional convention and the first State capital.

[[Page H1700]]

  In the 200 years since statehood, Ohio has been the birthplace of 
people who have literally changed the world, from Presidents to the 
Wright brothers to Neil Armstrong's first steps on the Moon.
  The eight counties that make up Ohio's seventh district have produced 
Governors, U.S. Senators, some Congressmen, cabinet officials, military 
leaders, entertainers, and even saw the beginning of what became the 4-
H clubs across the country out of Springfield, Ohio.
  I know how much effort went into planning the many commemorative 
events for the 200th anniversary of the founding of our great State and 
the many different ways communities celebrated cross our heritage was a 
tribute to the diversity of our State. I think we have set a very high 
mark for future generations to top when the preparations begin for the 
400th anniversary of the creation of Ohio in the year 2203.
  Ohio is a wonderful area to represent. We have a great delegation, a 
great bipartisan delegation. We all work together for the benefits of 
the State. We are all Buckeyes, especially this year with Buckeyes at 
Ohio State being number one in the country, and we refer to ourselves 
as Buckeyes; and that is a tone that we have tried to set across the 
country as we talk to people about our great State and the Buckeye 
State.
  Today, I just came back from Cincinnati where we talked about great 
waterways of the Midwest and the great waterway of Ohio, of the Ohio 
River, and of our northern coast which we call up in the Cleveland 
area, Toledo, all the way over to Pennsylvania. We are a great State. 
We have a great heritage and say happy birthday to the State of Ohio, 
and go, Bucks.
  Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, as we celebrate 200th birthday of 
the great State of Ohio, I am proud to stand up here today to share 
with the American people why my home state of Ohio deserves a grand 
celebration and widespread recognition.
  The name ``Ohio'' can be traced to the Native American word meaning 
``great'' that was first used to describe the powerful river that marks 
our southern border. It was known as the Old Northwest at a time when 
Americans had no understanding of how vast our land truly was. This 
area drew independent and daring people of all walks of life who were 
in search of a new beginning. These pioneers picked up their life and 
settled on the beautiful river, fertile soil, rolling hills, and the 
lakes that felt like oceans.
  There they founded a new state built on principles much unlike those 
in the other 16 states back in 1803. The State of Ohio would go on to 
lead the nation in public education by being the first to open its 
doors to women and African Americans. It would nurture some of the best 
American inventors, including the Wright Brothers, and boost eight of 
its citizens to the Presidency. Ohioans aspire to do great things and 
know no limits--just ask two of the world's most famous astronauts, 
Ohioans Neil Armstrong and Senator John Glenn.
  Ohio has traditionally been a vanguard in the fight for opportunities 
and rights for women, and it recognized nationally for its leadership 
role in several major reform movements such as temperance, anti-
slavery, and women's rights. Ohio played an important role in freeing 
the slaves, using the underground railroad to bring them to safety in 
the North. In fact, Ohio contributed more of its population to the 
Union Army than any other state.
  Ohio Governor Bob Taft recently kicked off an eight month celebration 
of Ohio's 200th anniversary. These festivities allow all Ohioans to 
take part in understanding our state's history and marking it in their 
own special way.
  I, along with my fellow Ohioans, am proud to salute our great state 
that has made an immeasurable contribution to the lives of all who know 
it as home, as well as our nation. Please join me in celebrating Ohio's 
Bicentennial to reflect on our state's proud heritage and abundant 
history. Happy Birthday, Ohio!
  Mr. BOEHNER. Madam Speaker, I am privileged to join my friends from 
the Ohio delegation on the House floor today to mark yet another 
special occasion for our home state. Several weeks ago, we gathered 
here to celebrate and honor the Ohio State Buckeyes' college football 
national championship. And now we're here to mark yet another 
significant and historic event for the Buckeye State: Ohio's 
bicentennial.
  Ohio's heritage is rich, and its importance to the nation is 
immeasurable. Consider these bits of trivia: Ohio played a vital role 
in the American Civil War. Our state contributed more of its population 
to the Union Army than any other state. Ohio is the home of 8 U.S. 
presidents. In fact, between the years 1840 and 1920, Ohio natives won 
11 of 14 presidential elections. Ohio is home to legends in America's 
space program. Not only do Neil Armstrong and John Glenn call Ohio 
home, but the Buckeye State also is the home to twenty-two current 
astronauts. And finally, Ohio is the birthplace of aviation. The Wright 
Brothers called Ohio home and this year will be the focus of a 
celebration very close to my congressional district marking 100 years 
of flight.
  Today, in Ohio schools, scores of students are poised to lead our 
state into its third century, and if the past two centuries are any 
indication, the best is yet to come.
  Madam Speaker, it has been an honor to represent my friends and 
neighbors in Ohio on the local, state, and federal levels during my 
time in elected office. I wish them and all Ohioans across our state 
the very best today and in the years to come. May our next two hundred 
years be as prosperous and exciting as the last two hundred.
  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 122, recognizing the bicentennial of the admission of Ohio 
into the Union and the contributions of Ohio residents to the economic, 
social and cultural development of the United States. I am proud to be 
a lifelong resident of the State of Ohio. Ohio, known as the Buckeye 
State, is the birthplace of aviation and home to eight United States 
presidents.
  Ohio is home to the first astronaut John Glenn, and the great 
inventors Thomas Edison and Granville T. Woods. The first female 
physician, Elizabeth Blackwell is also an Ohio native.
  Ohio was an integral part of the Underground Railroad. For many 
escaped slaves Ohio would be the last stop on a long journey to Canada. 
Cincinnati is now home to the national Underground Railroad Freedom 
Center.
  From humble roots in Ohio Dorothy Dandridge would establish herself 
as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood, paving the way for a 
young girl from Bedford, Ohio, Halle Berry to become the first African 
American woman to win a Best Actress Academy Award. A native of 
Cincinnati, Ohio, Steven Spielberg revolutionized the movie industry 
with such movies as Jaws, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial and Jurassic Park 
and Indiana Jones.
  Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens took his first steps in Ohio as 
well as famous golfer Jack Nicklaus. Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Toni 
Morrison and Huge Downs were famous Ohioans who mastered the power of 
the pen and became great contributors to literature. In addition, I 
would be remiss to not mention Garrett Augustus Morgan, who established 
the Cleveland Call and the invention of the nation's first patented 
traffic signal. History has been made in Ohio. Carl Stokes became the 
first African American mayor of a major city. His brother Louis Stokes 
would follow to make history as the first African American Congressman 
from Ohio, paving the way for me to stand before you today as the first 
African American Congresswoman from the State of Ohio. These great 
Ohioans and great Americans have helped to shape the fabric of this 
country. Through this celebration, we pay homage to their lives and 
legacies. I am honored to speak on behalf of the citizens of the 11th 
Congressional District of Ohio as we celebrate this Ohio bicentennial.
  Mr. OXLEY. Madam Speaker, I'm proud to join my Buckeye colleagues in 
celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Great State of Ohio. My thanks 
to the dean of our delegation, Mr. Regula, for introducing this 
resolution.
  It's my great privilege to represent Ohio's Fourth Congressional 
District, a widespread and diverse region steeped in tradition that has 
contributed much to the rich history of our state.
  Some three decades ago, my hometown of Findlay in Hancock County was 
honored by Congress with the designation ``Flag City, USA.'' Nearby 
Arlington, Ohio, enjoys the title of ``Flag Village, USA.'' The 
discovery of oil in 1886 contributed tremendously to the county's 
growth; Findlay is home to the headquarters of Marathon Ashland 
Petroleum, an oil refining and marketing leader to this day. It was 
about the Blanchard River--than called Mill Stream--that Handcock 
County's Tell Taylor reminisced in his 1908 song ``Down by the Old Mill 
Stream.''
  Hardin County is known as the home of Jacob Parrot, the nation's 
first Congressional Medal of Honor winner in 1863. Employees at Ada's 
Wilson Football Factory hand-make well over one million footballs per 
year, providing the NFL's official game balls since 1941.
  The Lima Army Tank Plant in Allen County has played a vital role in 
our nation's defense since the Second World War, when its forerunner, 
the Lima Tank Depot, processed more than 100,000 combat vehicles for 
shipment overseas. The tank plant's contributions continue in this new 
century, with ongoing work on the new Stryker light armored vehicle and 
a new $32 million Abrams tank upgrade program.
  Logan County is famous not only for the nation's shortest street (20-
foot-long McKinley

[[Page H1701]]

Street), but also the first concrete street in America. George Wells 
Bartholomew, Jr., constructed this street in 1891, posting a personal 
bond of $5,000 to guarantee that the pavement would last for five 
years. That street carries local traffic to this day, and was declared 
a National Historical Civil Engineering Landmark in 1976.
  Wyandot County's Old Mission Church is the oldest Methodist mission 
in the United States. Completed in 1824, the Church sits on the grounds 
of the Wyandotte Cemetery, a burial ground for the last Native American 
tribe in Ohio. The Basilica, and National Shrine of Our Lady of 
Consolation in Carey draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims on a 
yearly basis.
  Marion County is the site of the Warren G. Harding Home and Memorial, 
honoring our nation's 29th president. Marion, home of the Popcorn 
Festival and the Wyandot Popcorn Museum, also contains one of four 
branch campuses of The Ohio State University, 2003's national football 
champions. I am privileged to represent a total of three of OSU's 
branches.
  Citizens of Shelby County take great pride in their magnificent 120-
year-old county courthouse, which was recently added to the list of 
``Great American Public Places.'' Sidney, the county seat, developed a 
reputation as a railroad and canal center early in our state's history.
  Residents of Mount Gilead in Morrow County rightfully take pride in 
the ``victory shaft'' that dominates the village's North Square. This 
stone monument was a 1919 gift from the federal government in 
recognition of Morrow County's support of World War I--its citizens 
purchased more war bonds per capita than any other county in the U.S.
  Auglaize County is the birthplace of space pioneer Neil Armstrong and 
home to the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum. The county seat of 
Wapakoneta is a focal point of Native American history, serving as 
capital of the Shawnee nation in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Chief 
Blackhoof organized the migration of the Shawnee to Kansas in 1826, and 
afterward returned to Wapakoneta, where he died in 1831.
  The Mansfield Blockhouse in Richland County is the county's oldest 
structure, built in the public square to protect early settlers from 
Indian attacks during the War of 1812. The medieval castle design of 
the Ohio State Reformatory, constructed in the late 1880s, landed it on 
the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, and has been featured 
in three major motion pictures. Mansfield was also the home of John 
Sherman, longtime House and Senate member from Ohio, Secretary of 
State, Secretary of the Treasury, Republican presidential candidate, 
and father of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Malabar Farm in Lucas is the 
former home and workshop of Pulitzer Prize winner Louis Bromfield, 
drawing thousands of visitors each year.
  A bronze statue in the town square in Urbana memorializes the 3,235 
Champaign County men who fought in the Civil War, 578 of whom did not 
survive the fighting. Urbana University's Johnny Appleseed Educational 
Center houses the largest collection of Johnny Appleseed memorabilia 
and information known to exist. St. Paris, in western Champaign County, 
was a leading carriage-making center for much of the late Nineteenth 
Century.
  Madam Speaker, I'm proud that citizens in each of the 11 counties I'm 
honored to represent are taking an active role in celebrating not only 
our state's bicentennial, but also the rich and vibrant histories of 
their own communities. Their dedication and devotion ensure that our 
state's future remains bright for the next 200 years and beyond.
  I salute the efforts of all who have made this bicentennial year a 
great one for our great state.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
the Bicentennial of the State of Ohio's admission to the Union. I rise 
to honor the contributions of Ohio residents to the development of the 
United States.
  On March 1, 1803, Ohio became the 17th state to enter the Union. From 
the invention of traffic lights and Teflon to the famous first flight 
at Kitty Hawk, Ohio has been the birthplace of many important advances 
in United States history. The nation's first interracial coeducational 
college, Oberlin College, was founded in 1833 in Oberlin, Ohio. The 
storied history of this great state is, perhaps, best demonstrated 
through the accomplishments of its amazing residents.
  Ohio residents have contributed to many different aspects of United 
States history and culture. Inventors Thomas Edison and Charles 
Goodyear hail from Ohio. Well-known authors Harriet Beecher Stowe and 
Toni Morrison, as well as, poet laureate Paul Laurence Dunbar also come 
from Ohio. Ohio also has the distinction of producing more Presidents 
than any other state in the Union. Legendary comedians Bob Hope and 
Phyllis Diller, who have inspired millions to laugh, hail from Ohio.
  Other noteworthy Ohioans include Doris Day, Clark Gable, Annie Oakley 
and Neil Armstrong. Ohio's contributions have not only been limited to 
academic and artistic pursuits. Many well-known athletes hail from Ohio 
also. World-renowned golfers Nancy Lopez and Jack Nicklaus are both 
from Ohio. African American track star Jesse Owens, who won four gold 
medals during the 1936 Olympics, grew up in Cleveland and graduated 
from Ohio State University.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition 
of the Bicentennial of the admission of Ohio in to the Union, a state 
whose contributions to this great country cannot be overlooked.
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, the people of Ohio are commemorating 
Ohio's 200th Birthday on March 1, 2003; and
  Whereas, they will be celebrating the Bicentennial in Chillicothe, 
the original capital of the great state of Ohio; and
  Whereas, the residents of Ohio have molded a strong tradition of 
family values and a commitment to a high standard of living for Two-
Hundred Years; and
  Whereas, Ohio, since its inception, has developed into a growing and 
prosperous community dedicated to its past and future generations;
  Therefore, I join with the residents of the 18th Congressional 
District and all of Ohio in celebrating the Ohio Bicentennial.
  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I 
urge adoption of this measure.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 122.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________