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Ohio House Passes HB 61, Declaring November 19th James A. Garfield Day

Representatives Troy and Callender thank colleagues for unanimous passage
May 24, 2023
Daniel P. Troy News

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COLUMBUS – State Representatives Daniel Troy (D-Willowick) and Jamie Callender (R-Concord) today announced the unanimous passage of HB 61, declaring November 19th as James A. Garfield Day. 

“At the request of National Park Service officials at the James A. Garfield Home and a National Historical Site in my district, I was asked to introduce this legislation. James A. Garfield was a true son of Northeast Ohio who rose to the highest office in our nation. He had such promise, as someone who knew how to compromise and reach common ground on the important issues of his day. He was passionate in his efforts to end the spoils system, and its blatant political patronage practices,” said Representative Troy. “Unfortunately, President Garfield became our 2nd President to expire from an assassin’s bullet. He was shot on July 2nd and suffered from his wounds until his death on September 19th, and, sadly, that great promise was not realized. I think it’s fitting that we formally declare November 19 as James A. Garfield Day in Ohio.”

“I want to thank my colleagues for their support in declaring November 19th James A. Garfield Day,” said Representative Callender. “President Garfield was a great American, great Ohioan, and truly worthy of this honor as his impact can still be felt across the United States. From universal public education, a professional civil service, and presidential libraries, the influence of President Garfield’s legacy can be seen in his hometown of Mentor, Ohio and throughout the United States”.

James A. Garfield served as the 20th President of the United States. President Garfield had a wide and varied career, serving as the President of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, now known as Hiram College, an ordained minister, attorney, officer in the Union Army, nine term Congressman, and United States Senator during his journey to the presidency. President Garfield’s widow, Lucretia Garfield, is credited with creating the first presidential library when she built an extension onto the family home in Mentor, Ohio and filled its shelves with the president’s writings from both before and during his time in office. Garfield’s house currently stands as a National Historic Site under the stewardship of the National Park Service.

The House Session vote came after the unanimous passage by the House State and Local Government Committee back in March.  

HB 61 now goes to the Senate for additional hearings.

Representative Troy Speaking at the James A. Garfield National Historic Site

Representative Troy Talks to Member of the James A. Garfield National Historic Site