On Monday, May 3, Congressman Mike Turner travelled to Carillon Park to cast his ballot for a statue of the Wright Brothers to replace the statue of Governor Allen in the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C and encouraged area residents to vote prior to the June 12 deadline.
While casting his vote, Turner said, “What the Wright Brothers accomplished with that first flight truly changed every corner of the world we live in. It is also important to note that they not only lived in Ohio, but they also did all of the important research towards powered flight in Ohio. Even after the first flight, they continued to reside in Ohio and made it the world’s center for aviation innovation.”
Ballots can be cast from March 20 to June 12 at Dayton’s Carillon Park, or at one of 36 historic sites and museums throughout Ohio. People can also vote online by downoading this PDF with a ballot and instructions for submission.
The State of Ohio created a National Statuary Collection Study Committee to replace the statue of Governor William Allen due to his pro-slavery views. The Committee created a list of 10 Ohioans for the residents of the state to cast their ballot. The nominated Ohioans are: James Ashley, Thomas Edison, Ulysses S. Grant, William McCulloch, Jesse Owens, Judith Resnick, Albert Sabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet Taylor Upton, and Orville and Wilbur Wright.
Recently, the National Statuary Collection Study Committee, debated whether both Wright Brothers could represent Ohio in the Capitol as policy permits each state to have only two statues. Congressman Turner obtained clarification on the policy, permitting a statue of both Wright Brothers could be placed in the Capitol Building to replace Governor Allen.
For more information please visit www.legacyforohio.org.