S.B. 303
128th General Assembly
(As Introduced)
Sens. Wagoner, Fedor, Gillmor, Goodman, Grendell, D. Miller, Sawyer, Harris
BILL SUMMARY
· Requests that the Congressional Joint Committee on the Library of Congress approve the replacement of Ohio's statue of Governor William Allen in the National Statuary Hall Collection with a statue of Thomas Edison.
CONTENT AND OPERATION
The bill states that the state of Ohio requests the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve the replacement of Ohio's statue of Governor William Allen in the National Statuary Hall Collection with a statue of Thomas Edison. Each state contributes two sculptures of native sons and daughters to the national collection who represent the spirit and values of the state. President James Garfield is Ohio's other representative in the collection.
The bill provides for Ohio's submission of information about Thomas Edison for consideration by the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress, noting that his impact on the world, and, in particular, on the state of Ohio, through his inventions, business endeavors, and government service, merits inclusion of a statue of him in the National Statuary Hall Collection. The bill states that Edison, a native of Milan, Ohio, was a world famous inventor and highly successful businessperson whose inventions (such as the phonograph, the kinetoscope, and the first incandescent light bulb) have had a tremendous impact on the world. Additionally, the bill notes his service to the United States government, including his contributions during World War I leading to the award of a Distinguished Service Medal by the Department of the Navy. By the time of his death, Edison had received over one thousand patents.
The bill also submits information about the significant impact of Edison's work on the state of Ohio. He established the Edison Steel Company in Cleveland, and established one of the first electric power stations in Tiffin, Ohio. His General Electric Company established the first industrial park in Ohio, and it has employed hundreds of thousands of people over time. The Edison Birthplace Museum in Milan, Ohio has been instrumental in the issuance of a Thomas Edison stamp and commemorative silver dollar, and has received, on Edison's behalf, a posthumous Grammy Award. And the Department of Development, in partnership with the museum, sponsors the Thomas Edison Award.
The bill states that the Ohio Statuary Hall Commission, a nonprofit Ohio corporation, was established in 2009 for the purpose of assisting with the process of recommending an Ohio citizen for statuary representation in the National Statuary Hall Collection, including raising funds and providing financial support for that effort. If the Joint Committee approves the replacement statue request, the Commission is to be responsible for the selection of a sculptor for the Thomas Edison statue as well as for paying all costs incurred for placing the Thomas Edison statue in the United States Capitol, including costs incurred for: (1) paying the sculptor, (2) carving or casting the statue, (3) creating a pedestal and any inscription, (4) transporting the statue and pedestal to the Capitol, (5) removing and transporting the replaced statue, (6) temporarily erecting the new statue in the Rotunda of the Capitol for the unveiling ceremony, (7) expenses related to that unveiling ceremony, and (8) any other expenses that the Ohio Statuary Hall Commission finds it to be necessary to incur.
The bill provides that the Governor, as required by the Procedure for Replacement of Statues in the National Statuary Hall Collection, must submit a copy of the act to the Architect of the Capitol, along with a letter requesting approval from the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to replace Ohio's statue of Governor William Allen in the National Statuary Hall Collection with a statue of Thomas Edison.
HISTORY
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ACTION |
DATE |
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Introduced |
09-15-10 |
S0303-I-128.docx/jc