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Committee votes to report bill to designate March 10 as Harriet Tubman Day
Summary
The Ohio House Government Oversight Committee voted to favorably report House Bill 166, which would establish March 10 as Harriet Tubman Day in Ohio; sponsors gave historical testimony and members offered support and a few procedural questions.
The House Government Oversight Committee voted 12-0 to favorably report House Bill 166 to the House Rules and Reference Committee, sending the bill forward for further consideration.
House Bill 166, sponsored by Representative Lawson Rowe with Representative Williams as joint sponsor, would designate March 10 — the date the sponsors said Harriet Tubman died in 1913 — as Harriet Tubman Day in Ohio. Lawson Rowe and Williams delivered sponsor testimony outlining Tubman’s life and describing her role on the Underground Railroad and during the Civil War.
“Thus, colleagues, let's also recognize the resilience, strength, and fortitude of Mrs. Harriet Tubman by electing March 10 as Harriet Tubman Day in Ohio,” Representative Lawson Rowe said during sponsor testimony.
Members asked only brief questions. Representative Weir asked whether Tubman had spent time in Ohio; the sponsors said they were not aware of definitive evidence and offered to research the question. Representative Simms expressed support without questions.
Clerk roll call recorded 12 affirmative votes; the chair announced the bill passed committee and was referred to the Rules and Reference Committee. Vice Chair Ferguson moved to report the bill favorably.
Why it matters: Sponsors said the designation would formally recognize Tubman’s life and legacy in Ohio and mirror a federal proclamation referenced in testimony. The committee stopped short of taking any policy amendments and the bill will proceed to the next step in the legislative process.
The committee also received written proponent testimony on the bill, which was made available to members electronically.
No further action on HB 166 was taken at the meeting beyond the committee report; sponsors said they would answer follow-up research questions about Tubman’s specific connections to Ohio if members requested it.
