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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2010 > February > 23 > Entry
Wright brothers among finalists to represent Ohio in U.S. Capitol
By William Hershey Columbus Bureau
COLUMBUS - The Wright brothers, Dayton’s aviation pioneers, and former Piqua congressman William McCulloch are among 10 finalists a legislative committee has selected for a statute to represent Ohio in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Orville and Wilbur Wright were considered as one entity by the committee, which announced its choices on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
McCulloch, a Republican, is credited with playing a key role in the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and other major civil rights legislation.
The other finalists:
James Ashley, Toledo, abolitionist and U.S. House member.
Thomas Edison, Milan, inventor.
Ulysses S. Grant, Point Pleasant, president and Civil War general.
Jesse Owens, Ohio State athlete and winner of four Olympic gold medals.
Judith Resnik, Akron, astronaut.
Albert Sabin, Cincinnati, medical researcher known for creating oral polio vaccine.
Harriet Beecher Stowe, Cincinnati, abolitionist and author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
Harriet Taylor Upton, Ravenna, advocate for women’s suffrage.
The finalists were selected from more than 90 candidates. Candidates had to be dead. Rep. Richard Adams, R-Troy, the only Dayton-area lawmaker on the committee, said he cast his top vote for McCulloch.
McCulloch, said Adams, was responsible for something that is “ongoing, that is showing positive results.”
Ohioans now will have a chance to vote for their top choices at historical sites and museums around the state and other locations from March 20-June 12.
Sentiment from voters throughout Ohio “will be the single greatest factor” when the committee makes a final recommendation to the legislature, probably in July, said Sen. Mark Wagoner, R-Ottawa Hills, chairman of the National Statuary Collection Study Committee.
The House and Senate then are expected to make the final choice in November. Gov. Ted Strickland does not have a formal role in the process, which involves adopting a legislative resolution to send to Washington, D.C.
The new statue will replace a statue of William Allen, a former U.S. senator and congressman who also served a two-year term as governor from 1874-76. Allen, from Chillicothe in Ross County, held pro-slavery views and was an outspoken critic of Abraham Lincoln. State officials decided it was time to bring him home and send a replacement.
Each state gets two statues in the hall and President James Garfield will continue to be Ohio’s other representative.
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Comments
By True Genius
February 24, 2010 11:21 AM | Link to this
Neil and Glenn were pilots of vehicles that they did not build, in the missions they were chosen to do. They were in the wright place at the wright time. And thanks to the Wright stuff they were able to follow the Wright Brothers, who were both visionary and daring in their exploits. They had no Government funds and with their own abilities and cash they created a heavier then air flying machine. True Genius.
By seriously
February 24, 2010 10:06 AM | Link to this
Neil Armstrong is also alive. Come on people. And, Chetah (sic), you can’t really think John Glenn is not an American hero?! 59 combat missions in WWII. Hello. Then, shooting himself into space in a tin can, not just once… While I’m certainly glad he is currently ineligible for this honor, and without detracting anything from the greatness of the Wright Bros., there can be no doubt J.G. would deserve it also.
By Clement Vallandingham's ghost
February 24, 2010 8:50 AM | Link to this
What about me? I ran for governor of Ohio while living in Canada and nearly won.
By Chetah
February 24, 2010 8:50 AM | Link to this
John Glenn followed in the footsteps of a monkey. A monkey was the first American in space. Brainless. A trip on a carnival ride. The Wright brothers tackled a real scientific problem and over came great obstacles to fly. They alone deserve the place in the hall.
By oldtimer
February 24, 2010 8:47 AM | Link to this
All are worthy, but perhaps the Wright Brothers are the best. Edison lived in New Jersey and Grant in Illinois when they became famous. McCulloch, whom I knew, stands out because he put his integrity above his party’s principles when he supported civil rights legislation.
By dan
February 24, 2010 7:28 AM | Link to this
gosh are they sure the wright brothers didnt have a black work for them for less pay?? this is why they are changing the ones that were there just to please the blacks which have ruined all the cities,schools,neighborhoods,states and now america!!
By mike
February 24, 2010 2:42 AM | Link to this
UH, Neil Armstrong or John Glenn? Or both??
By Sorry Senator!
February 23, 2010 10:23 PM | Link to this
With your Democratic affliation, the previous poster most have thought you’re “Lost in Space” like the current Democrats.
By I'M ALIVE!
February 23, 2010 10:14 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the nomination, but this statute is only for DEAD PEOPLE. -John Glenn
By ever heard of john glenn
February 23, 2010 10:00 PM | Link to this
born in cambridge ohio 1st american to orbit the earth 3 person in the world to do so and In 1998, he became the oldest person to fly in space, and the only one to fly in both the Mercury and Shuttle programs, when at age 77, he flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-95). Glenn and M. Scott Carpenter are the last surviving members of the Mercury Seven. maybe he should be in the running?
By Vote out all Incumbents...
February 23, 2010 9:19 PM | Link to this
No wonder the vast majority of American’s are fed up with our representatives. Could anyone, other than Dick Adams, make a dumber statement?? So, the other candidates, to Dicks mind, didn’t do something “ongoing and showing positives results.” Hmm… Wonder if Dick ever flew on an airplane??? I guess in Dick’s mind “positive results” soon ended after the Wright Bros. made their first flight in Kitty Hawk. Gosh, you guys in Troy with the WACO museum must be really proud of Mr. Adams. Plus, what development has had a Bigger Impact (Economic or otherwise) on Ohioans than Flight? Maybe Edison’s inventions, but McCulloch, really Dick, Mac…that’s who you voted for? Thanks, Dick, for showing us your intelligence! Go Tea Party!