State Rep. McClain Announces Passage of Legislation Adding Wright Flyer to Ohio's Seal and Coat of Arms

COLUMBUS—State Representative Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) today applauded the passage of House Bill 370, sponsored by State Representative Rick Perales (R-Beavercreek). This legislation adds a depiction of Wilbur and Orville Wright’s first piloted airplane, the Wright Flyer, to the Great Seal of the State of Ohio and to Ohio’s Coat of Arms. In doing so, it commemorates one of the greatest achievements by Ohioans: successful controlled flight.

In 1903, the Dayton-raised Wright brothers became the first to ever sustain a piloted aircraft. By adding the Wright Flyer to these two prominent visual representations of Ohio, H.B. 370 seeks to distinguish Ohio as the true birthplace of aviation. The airplane will be placed above and to the left of the sun, lauding the accomplishment of the Wright brothers at the near center of the image.

“Like many Ohioans, I am very proud of the advances in aviation for which Ohio has been responsible, beginning with the Wright brothers. They had the courage, the innovation and the genius to invent a heavier-than-air aircraft,” said Rep. McClain. “John Glenn and Neil Armstrong, who were on the forefront of flight exploration in outer space, also come to mind. Through many others both past and present, Ohio has a rich aviation heritage to boast and I’m glad to be able to announce this inclusion on the state seal.”

The bill allows for all existing supplies and materials bearing the current representation of the state seal and coat of arms to be exhausted before the new image is produced. It has the support of the Ohio Aviation Association and the National Aviation Heritage Alliance.

Having passed out of the House, H.B. 370 now awaits consideration by the Ohio Senate.