STATEHOUSE NEWS

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(Columbus, Ohio) – The Capitol Square Foundation (CSF) is thrilled to announce an extraordinary $1,000,000 anonymous gift to support the construction of the Ohio Women’s Monument, set to grace the grounds of the Ohio Statehouse. The gift is given in tribute to late Speaker Jo Ann Davidson, the trailblazing first female Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, who passed away earlier this year.

“This transformational gift not only makes the Ohio Women’s Monument possible but ensures that Speaker Davidson’s remarkable legacy is etched into Ohio’s history forever,” said Charles Moses, Chair of the Capitol Square Foundation. “We are profoundly humbled by the donor’s generosity and proud to play a part in recognizing the vital contributions of women to our State and Nation.”

The project, approved last month by the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB), gained momentum with a recent fundraising event featuring Presidential Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. The monument, designed by acclaimed sculptor Brenda Councill, is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2026—a fitting tribute as Ohio commemorates its historical milestones and the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Laura Battocletti, Executive Director of CSRAB, celebrated the gift as a pivotal moment for the project. “This gift is a profound honor for a woman who dedicated her life to advancing opportunities for women in Ohio’s political and business arenas,” Battocletti shared. “The Ohio Women’s Monument will stand as a beacon of inspiration for generations to come, particularly for the thousands of schoolchildren who visit the Statehouse every year. It’s a lasting tribute to the determination and vision of women shaping history.”

Spearheaded by the Ohio Women’s Suffrage Monument Commission, chaired by Senator Stephanie Kunze, the initiative seeks to celebrate all women who have made lasting contributions to Ohio and beyond. Senator Kunze shared, “This project honors the collective spirit and achievements of women throughout history. This generous gift underscores the importance of recognizing those contributions and inspires us to continue the journey toward equality and opportunity.”

As Ohioans prepare to celebrate the unveiling of this monumental work, the Capitol Square Foundation invites all to join in honoring the extraordinary contributions of Speaker Davidson and countless other women whose courage and vision have paved the way for progress.

For additional information and to donate, visit https://ohcapitolsquarefoundation.org/about-the-statehouse/ohio-womens-suffrage-monument/.

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In honor of the lives lost on December 7, 1941 in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and in accordance with orders from the President of the United States, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Ohio from midnight to midnight on December 7, 2024.

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Columbus, OH – The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) invites the public to celebrate the holidays in December at the Ohio Statehouse. Starting with the 2024 Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting, CSRAB then welcomes all to enjoy other activities throughout the rest of the month, including performances by local schools, decorations, tours and special items and sales at the Statehouse Museum Shop.

Capitol Square will kick off the holiday season at the annual Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., emceed by Santa 95 for the first time ever! After Santa’s arrival, the Governor, and First Lady of Ohio light the tree in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium. Cookies, craft activities and performances by Ohio choirs and dance companies will be available throughout the evening. Find further details about this family-friendly event on the Statehouse calendar at OhioStatehouse.org.

During the rest of December, other special performances by students from across Ohio will be open to the public. On weekdays, school choirs will perform at noon in the Museum Gallery, on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse. As the legislative schedule allows, The Ohio Channel will also live-stream many of the concerts:

Dec. 9 The Grace Notes – Columbus School for Girls
Dec. 10 Harp Concert – Olivia Claggett
Dec. 11 Winchester Trail Elementary School Choir
Dec. 12 Indian Lake High School Chorale
Dec. 13 JG Company - John Glenn High School

Dec. 16 Johnstown-Monroe High School Choir
Dec. 17 Logan High School Chamber Singers
Dec. 18 Knight Sounds – Northmor High School Show Choir
Dec. 19 Kenton Ridge High School Chamber Singers
Dec. 20 Bexley High School Vocal Ensemble

Throughout the month, the Statehouse Museum Shop will feature Ohio-themed gifts and the collectible 2024 Ohio Statehouse Christmas Ornament. Visitors to the Ohio Statehouse from December 5 through December 9 may have a sweet discount during the Candy Cane Sale. Shoppers may pull a candy cane to find a discount of 15% to 40% off their total purchase. See Shop for details and exclusions.

The Ohio Statehouse also offers public tours every day except state holidays. Guided tours start in the Map Room, on the ground floor, at the top of every hour, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 12 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Out-of-town guests may enjoy a free tour of the Ohio Statehouse during their stay in Ohio.

Inside the Ohio Statehouse, modern decorations reminiscent of the nineteenth century highlight the historical character of the building, completed in 1861. Outside, red and green lights will illuminate Capitol Square.

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(Columbus, OH) –State Senator Kirk Schuring will lie in state in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Senate tribute will be held in the Senate Chamber from 1:00 p.m. -1:45 p.m

The tribute to the life and service of Senator Schuring will immediately follow in the Atrium.

The public is invited to pay their respects.

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In honor of the life and service of State Senator Schuring, Governor DeWine has ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be lowered upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Stark County and at the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower today, and will remain until sunset on the day of his funeral.

All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.

Senator Schuring will lie in state on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tribute service will immediately follow and will take place in the Atrium from 2 to 3 p.m. The event will be live streamed by the Ohio Channel.

The public is welcome to pay their respects.

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(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— In honor of the life and service of city of Napoleon Patrolman Tyler Murrey, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be lowered upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Henry county, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower today, and will remain until sunset on the day of his funeral, Friday, November 22, 2024

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On Thursday, December 5, the Ohio Statehouse will host its annual Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The festivities will feature dance groups, choirs, K-9 demonstrations, cookies and activities tables to spread the holiday cheer. This joyous event is free and open to the public!

Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine will be introduced by Randi and DJ Rice from Santa 95 (Sunny 95), to start the tree lighting ceremony, followed by the introduction of Santa and Mrs. Claus! After the tree has been lit, everyone will be free to roam the Atrium, Rotunda and ground floor to find craft tables, mascots and entertainment. Do not forget to grab a memento through snapping a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus and shopping at the Statehouse Museum Shop.



Entertainment will take place in the Atrium and the Museum Gallery at various times throughout the night:
· Columbus Children’s Choir (Atrium-5:00 p.m.)
· OhioDance (Atrium-5:45 p.m.)
· K-9 Demonstration by Ohio State Highway Patrol (Museum Gallery-5:45 p.m.)
· All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir (Museum Gallery-6:10 p.m.)
Scioto Valley Chorus (Museum Gallery-6:35 p.m.)
Pickerington High School Chamber Strings (Museum Gallery-7 p.m.)
Drake Dance Academy (Atrium-7 - 7:30 p.m.)

An assortment of craft tables will be all around the Statehouse with wonderful organizations running them:
· Ohio Paper Folders
· Ohio Pageant Winners
· Ohio Department of Natural Resources
· National Veterans Memorial Museum
· Office of Ohio State Treasurer
· Office of Ohio Auditor of State
· Office of Ohio Secretary of State
· 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A
· Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center
· TourismOhio
· Special Olympics
· Sunny 95

Also, keep a look-out for some fun-loving mascots moseying about:
· The Chick-fil-A Cow
· LouSeal and Krash of the Columbus Clippers
· Mr. Sunny, Sunny 95
· And many others!

Stop by the Statehouse on December 5 to kick off the holiday season! For your convenience, affordable parking will be available within the Statehouse’s underground parking garage. We hope to see you there!

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(Columbus) The CSRAB search committee scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at the Ohio Statehouse, has been cancelled.

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