GEORGE WASHINGTON WILLIAMS ROOM

Michael DeBose was appointed to the Ohio House of Representatives on February 13th, 2002, following Rep. John Barnes who had then taken a position with Mayor's Office in Cleveland, Ohio. DeBose is currently serving his 1st elected term as the Representative for the 12th House District. Since his arrival he has served on a number of House committees, including Rules & Reference, Ways and Means, Energy & Environment, Health, Education, and the Federal Grant Review & Education Oversight Subcommittee. He has also served on the Energy Committee of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

DeBose attended Cleveland State University, earning a B.A. in mass media communication. He has also received a certificate in public administration from David Myers College, a Bible certificate from Moody Bible Institute, and is a licensed and ordained minister at Zion Chapel Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. He has been married to his wife, Cheryl, for 24 years and is a loving and proud parent of his three children.

DeBose worked as a Planning Manager for the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority from 1992 to 2000 and as a Building and Grounds Superintendent for Cuyahoga County Development/Sanitary Engineering from June of 2000 to February of 2002. As a lifelong resident of Cleveland, Rep. DeBose has been very active in his community involvement. He is the founder and past President of the Cleveland School of the Arts P.T.A. and is a regular volunteer for the Cleveland Municipal School District. In addition to his current volunteer efforts, he has also served as a Member of the Cleveland School Board. He is a member of the Lee Harvard Community Association and President of the Holly Hill Drive Street Club. 

 *DeBose died of complications of Parkinson's disease on April 23, 2012, aged 58.

Sources:

• Ohio House of Representatives Web Site, 2003.
• Personal Biography, 2003, 2005.