Ohio House Passes Resolution Honoring the U.S. Navy's 250th Anniversary

The Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Concurrent Resolution 20 to honor the distinguished service of the men and women of the United Sates Navy and to commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding, announced State Representatives Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) and Nick Santucci (R-Niles).

"As both a Naval officer and a state legislator, I am deeply honored to recognize the proud history and enduring contributions of the United States Navy," said Dovilla. "For two and a half centuries, sailors have embodied the Navy's core values of honor, courage, and commitment-protecting our nation and preserving freedom across the globe. Ohio has a unique and lasting connection to this service, from Commodore Perry's triumph on Lake Erie to generations of Ohioans who have worn the uniform with distinction. With this resolution, we commemorate not only the Navy's 250th anniversary but also the sacrifices of all who have served and continue to serve at sea."

Rep. Santucci, who joint sponsored the resolution, emphasized the Navy's deep ties to Ohio and his own family's connection to the service. "Over the past two and a half centuries, millions of Americans have worn the Navy uniform-including my grandfather," Santucci said. "They have served with courage, sacrificed with honor, and carried forward a tradition of excellence that continues to inspire us all. The Navy's story is, in many ways, Ohio's story. Our state has given its sons and daughters to defend the nation, and in return, the Navy has honored Ohio through the naming of ships such as the USS Ohio, the USS Cleveland, and the USS Columbus. It is truly an honor to see this resolution pass with bipartisan support."

The resolution says in part: "That we, the members of the 136th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, honor the distinguished service and exceptional valor of the men and women of the United States Navy and commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding."

HCR 20 also recognizes the many notable Ohioans who have served with distinction in the Navy and broader naval service, acknowledging Ohio-born astronauts with naval service backgrounds and the naming of multiple U.S. Navy vessels after Ohio cities and individuals.

The resolution states: "Several astronauts with Naval backgrounds have hailed from Ohio, including Lieutenant Neil A. Armstrong of Wapakoneta, a Naval aviator during the Korean War and the first man to walk on the moon; Colonel John H. Glenn, Jr. of Cambridge, a Marine Corps aviator during the Second World War and Korean War and the first American to orbit the earth; Captain James A. Lovell, Jr., a Naval aviator, pilot of the Apollo 8 mission and the commander of the Apollo 13 mission; Colonel Robert F. Overmyer of Lorain, a Marine aviator, Apollo support crew member, and Space Shuttle commander; Captain Sunita L. Williams of Euclid, who served on the International Space Station and is one of the most experienced spacewalkers in history."

The resolution also notes the three active Navy Reserve Centers located in Akron, Cincinnati and Columbus which provide support for Navy Reserve units and hundreds of sailors.