Recognizing the bicentennial of the admission of Ohio into the Union and the contributions of Ohio residents to the economic, social, and cultural development of the United States.

Madam Speaker, I'm proud to join my Buckeye colleagues in celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Great State of Ohio. My thanks to the dean of our delegation, Mr. Regula, for introducing this resolution.

It's my great privilege to represent Ohio's Fourth Congressional District, a widespread and diverse region steeped in tradition that has contributed much to the rich history of our state.

Some three decades ago, my hometown of Findlay in Hancock County was honored by Congress with the designation ``Flag City, USA.'' Nearby Arlington, Ohio, enjoys the title of ``Flag Village, USA.'' The discovery of oil in 1886 contributed tremendously to the county's growth; Findlay is home to the headquarters of Marathon Ashland Petroleum, an oil refining and marketing leader to this day. It was about the Blanchard River--than called Mill Stream--that Handcock County's Tell Taylor reminisced in his 1908 song ``Down by the Old Mill Stream.''

Hardin County is known as the home of Jacob Parrot, the nation's first Congressional Medal of Honor winner in 1863. Employees at Ada's Wilson Football Factory hand-make well over one million footballs per year, providing the NFL's official game balls since 1941.

The Lima Army Tank Plant in Allen County has played a vital role in our nation's defense since the Second World War, when its forerunner, the Lima Tank Depot, processed more than 100,000 combat vehicles for shipment overseas. The tank plant's contributions continue in this new century, with ongoing work on the new Stryker light armored vehicle and a new $32 million Abrams tank upgrade program.

Logan County is famous not only for the nation's shortest street (20- foot-long McKinley

Street), but also the first concrete street in America. George Wells Bartholomew, Jr., constructed this street in 1891, posting a personal bond of $5,000 to guarantee that the pavement would last for five years. That street carries local traffic to this day, and was declared a National Historical Civil Engineering Landmark in 1976.

Wyandot County's Old Mission Church is the oldest Methodist mission in the United States. Completed in 1824, the Church sits on the grounds of the Wyandotte Cemetery, a burial ground for the last Native American tribe in Ohio. The Basilica, and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims on a yearly basis.

Marion County is the site of the Warren G. Harding Home and Memorial, honoring our nation's 29th president. Marion, home of the Popcorn Festival and the Wyandot Popcorn Museum, also contains one of four branch campuses of The Ohio State University, 2003's national football champions. I am privileged to represent a total of three of OSU's branches.

Citizens of Shelby County take great pride in their magnificent 120- year-old county courthouse, which was recently added to the list of ``Great American Public Places.'' Sidney, the county seat, developed a reputation as a railroad and canal center early in our state's history.

Residents of Mount Gilead in Morrow County rightfully take pride in the ``victory shaft'' that dominates the village's North Square. This stone monument was a 1919 gift from the federal government in recognition of Morrow County's support of World War I--its citizens purchased more war bonds per capita than any other county in the U.S.

Auglaize County is the birthplace of space pioneer Neil Armstrong and home to the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum. The county seat of Wapakoneta is a focal point of Native American history, serving as capital of the Shawnee nation in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Chief Blackhoof organized the migration of the Shawnee to Kansas in 1826, and afterward returned to Wapakoneta, where he died in 1831.

The Mansfield Blockhouse in Richland County is the county's oldest structure, built in the public square to protect early settlers from Indian attacks during the War of 1812. The medieval castle design of the Ohio State Reformatory, constructed in the late 1880s, landed it on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, and has been featured in three major motion pictures. Mansfield was also the home of John Sherman, longtime House and Senate member from Ohio, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Republican presidential candidate, and father of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Malabar Farm in Lucas is the former home and workshop of Pulitzer Prize winner Louis Bromfield, drawing thousands of visitors each year.

A bronze statue in the town square in Urbana memorializes the 3,235 Champaign County men who fought in the Civil War, 578 of whom did not survive the fighting. Urbana University's Johnny Appleseed Educational Center houses the largest collection of Johnny Appleseed memorabilia and information known to exist. St. Paris, in western Champaign County, was a leading carriage-making center for much of the late Nineteenth Century.

Madam Speaker, I'm proud that citizens in each of the 11 counties I'm honored to represent are taking an active role in celebrating not only our state's bicentennial, but also the rich and vibrant histories of their own communities. Their dedication and devotion ensure that our state's future remains bright for the next 200 years and beyond.

I salute the efforts of all who have made this bicentennial year a great one for our great state.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

Madam Speaker, I first want to compliment the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) on an excellent summary of the role of the State of Ohio in dealing with the issue of slavery. We are building a museum in Cincinnati, Ohio, which was the key spot on the Underground Railroad. And as you travel throughout Ohio, you will find a number of communities that will have a marker saying that this community was one of the stations along the way. So I think it is great that the gentleman gave the Members and the audience that watches C-SPAN an understanding of Ohio's role, and it is a proud one, in dealing with these issues.

Ohio is popularly known as ``The Mother of Presidents.'' Our good friends from the State of Virginia like to take issue with that, but we claim eight in our State, one of whom served the 16th District of Ohio in Congress. That would be President William McKinley, who was also chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means. And if you go next door to the headquarters of the Committee on Appropriations, you will see a portrait of James Garfield, who also served in Congress and as chairman of Appropriations.

Madam Speaker, I think our colleague from Illinois has touched on a number of the important people that are part of Ohio history. I do not know if he mentioned Thomas Alva Edison, who started what is today a great industry in terms of providing electricity, and certainly his contributions in progress and industry were a result of hard work. Thomas Edison used to say, ``Genius was 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.''

The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) mentioned John Glenn and his role. We are all very familiar with that. And so I think we in Ohio can take great pride in the part that our State has played in the history of this Nation's space program.

We have had a number of people in science who developed different things that are important to all of us. The Inventure Place is in Akron, Ohio. It tells the story of inventors in the United States. It is a hall of fame for inventors.

We have, of course, in Canton, Ohio the Football Hall of Fame. Many people are very familiar with that. And I would also mention that we have the National First Ladies Historic Site. It is the newest unit in the Park Service that tells how First Ladies have made a very great impact on the history of our Nation.

These are all things that give us pride in the State of Ohio and, since I did mention McKinley, I would add that as President of the United States he was perhaps the first one to recognize that the United States was no longer an insular nation, and he became a champion of international trade. He championed the Open Door Policy to China and many other issues involving trade. And of course as a result of Spanish-American War, the United States became a world player. And we know today that the world looks to, at least part of it, in this day and age, looks to the United States for leadership. But William McKinley made a very great impact on the path this Nation has taken from originally being very protectionist, very insular to that of a Nation that does set the challenge to other nations to follow suit.

I would urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution. It recognizes that Ohio has been a State since 1803 and as such has made many great contributions to our Nation's history.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 122) recognizing the bicentennial of the admission of Ohio into the Union and the contributions of Ohio residents to the economic, social, and cultural development of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 122, the resolution under consideration.

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 122 introduced by my distinguished colleague from my home State of Ohio (Mr. Regula) recognizes the bicentennial of Ohio into the Union and the contribution to the economic, social, and cultural development of the United States.

The Iroquois Indians were the first to recognize the significance of the vast region of the Northwest Territory. Ohio is named after the Iroquois word meaning ``great river.''

The 2003 Ohio bicentennial celebration allows us the time to recognize the many contributions Ohioans have made to our country and the world. Because of its former canals, navigable rivers, railroads and roads, we are known as the Gateway State that provided for western migration. Our interstate transportation system is still one of the most used in the country, and Ohio is a powerhouse in the American economy.

We are proud of our native sons and daughters who have contributed to our great country. Ohio calls herself the mother of Presidents, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and Warren Harding all native Ohioans.

As a native Daytonian I am most proud of Ohio's aviation heritage. Dayton's Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is the largest air force base in the world and is the place where Orville and Wilbur Wright perfected flight. Annually, the Air Force Museum at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base hosts a million visitors. In fact, Ohio boasts four significant aviation firsts: Orville and Wilbur Wright, first in powered flight; John Glenn, first man to orbit the Earth; Neil Armstrong, first man on the Moon; Judith Resnick, the first woman in space.

Ohio has been the home to 24 astronauts. In fact, Ohio's aviation history is recognized on the U.S. quarter for Ohio in the U.S. Mint series. But these memorable facts are only the beginning of the Ohio's story.

This year of 2003, the 200th birthday celebration of Ohio's statehood, allows us a full year to reflect on our heritage and to remind ourselves of how fortunate we are to be proud Americans. Therefore, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 122.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my colleague, the gentleman from the State of Ohio (Mr. Regula), the distinguished sponsor of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my colleague, the gentleman from the State of Ohio (Mr. Gillmor).

(Mr. GILLMOR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson).

Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I urge adoption of this measure.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join in support of this resolution recognizing the bicentennial of the admission of Ohio into the Union and the contributions of Ohio residents to the economic, social, and cultural development of the United States.

Madam Speaker, this year the residents of Ohio will celebrate the 200th anniversary of their State's admission into the Union. They will celebrate the fact that Ohio inventors, including Thomas Edison, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Henry Timken, Charles Goodyear, Garrett Morgan, and Roy Plunkett, created the basis for modern living as we know it.

They will celebrate the fact that Ohio is the birthplace of aviation. It has been home to 24 astronauts, including John Glenn, Neal Armstrong and Judith Resnick. They will celebrate the many distinguished writers Ohio has produced like Harriet Beecher Stowe, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Toni Morrison, and James Thurber.

However, one of Ohio's most profound contributions to the economic, social, and cultural development in the United States is the intricate role it played in the Underground Railroad.

Ohio's governing document, The Ordinance of 1787, states that ``There shall be neither slave nor involuntary servitude in the said territory, otherwise than in the punishment of crime.'' The slavery that did occur in Ohio was in the outermost portions of the territory that did not become part of the State of Ohio.

The Ordinance of 1787 not only attracted those fleeing the perils of slavery to Ohio, but also attracted various groups whose idealogy resonated with the State's anti-slavery sentiment. Quakers, Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians were among the groups who found themselves drawn to Ohio due to their opposition to slavery.

The Underground Railroad consisted of stations, places where runaways could hide, eat, and take refuge during the day. It was not a single route. It was a complex web of main and branch routes. Essential to navigating the Railroad were the conductors who served as guides to those travelers making their way to freedom. Ohio was one of the most heavily traveled States along the escape routes of slaves.

In addition to being a reasonable distance from north to south, Ohio provided access to Canada via Lake Erie.

Slaves were able to take advantage of Ohio's first commercial railroad. Many of the staff on the commercial railroads also served as conductors on the Underground Railroad.

Ohio and its citizens have carved out a rich place in American history, well deserving of our recognition. Therefore, I am indeed proud and pleased to join with my colleagues in celebrating the development of this great State as a part of the Union which we know as the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I do not have any further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of this resolution honoring the bicentennial of the State of Ohio.

Madam Speaker, I want to commend my colleague from Dayton (Mr. Turner) for sponsoring this resolution which pays tribute to the contributions of Ohioans to the economic, the social, and the cultural welfare of this country. I think it could objectively be said that no State surpasses Ohio in terms of the contribution that our people have made to the development of this country.

It is truly a diverse State from the Ohio River in the South to Lake Erie on the North. It has big businesses, small businesses, agricultural, recreational destinations.

The Buckeye State has developed also one of the finest educational systems in the United States. It is home to over 140 respective institutions with at least one college university or branch campus within 25 miles of every Ohioan.

It is home to a number of unique and extraordinary people, fast, first, most and best in the country.

Our State has given the United States eight presidents, one of whom was from my district, Rutherford B. Hayes; 24 astronauts, including the STS-70 All Ohio Shuttle Mission; and a plethora of sports legends, statesmen, distinguished writers, and successful aviators, Orville and Wilbur Wright, just to name two. Also, Neil Armstrong from Ohio was the first man to walk on the Moon.

Fellow northwest Ohioan, Thomas Edison, who was born in my district, would invent the light bulb, the phonograph, the stock ticker, and the movie projector. The combination of Mr. Edison and the Wright brothers truly makes Ohio the land of light and flight.

Ohio also holds claim to having America's first shopping center, its first kindergarten, its first chewing gum patent, its first professional baseball team, and the first hot dog.

Van Wert, which is located in my district, was the site of the first public library in this country. A few of the firsts in my district, and this could be repeated in districts all across Ohio: In my district the Whirlpool Corporation in Clyde, Ohio, manufactures more clothes washing machines than any plant in the world. The Heinz plant in Fremont produces more ketchup than any place in the world. It produces enough ketchup to fill 3.2 million 14-ounce bottles every single day.

The R.R. Donnelley plant prints the most Bibles in the world. Arm and Hammer Baking Soda, in my hometown of Oldport, produces more baking soda than anywhere else, and we also have in my district in Tiffen, the world's largest manufacturer of porcelain toilet fixtures used by people throughout America.

Let me say that we are proud of our State. We are proud of what Ohioans have accomplished in history, and I would urge support for the resolution and say, happy birthday, Ohio.