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Chairman Reinhard, Ranking Member Sayer, and members of the House Infrastructure Committee,
Thank you for allowing me to present sponsor testimony for House Bill 383. This legislation would rename a stretch of State Route 2 within Cuyahoga County, as the “Carl B. Stokes Memorial Highway.”
Carl B. Stokes is best known for being the first African-American elected mayor of a major American city. He was also the first African-American Democrat elected into the Ohio state legislature, where he served in the 105th, 106th and 107th General Assemblies.
This past November marked the 40th anniversary of his historic election as mayor, as well as, the 45th anniversary of his election into the Ohio General Assembly. Stokes also served as a United States Ambassador and Municipal Judge in the city of Cleveland.
Mayor Stokes’ accomplishments as a trailblazer and a political leader should never be forgotten. He helped pave the way for future mayors, legislators, and other public officials, in the state of Ohio and across the nation.
The Stokes family is touched, and moved by the sentiment of the Carl B. Stokes Memorial Highway legislation and its intent to honor the legacy of the patriarch of Cleveland Politics.
Mr. Chairman and members again, thank you for your time and I encourage your acceptance of House Bill 383.
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