Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Commemorative Holiday topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House committee advances bill to designate March 10 as Harriet Tubman Day in Ohio
Summary
The House Government Oversight Committee voted to favorably report House Bill 166 to the Rules and Reference Committee after sponsor testimony highlighting Harriet Tubman’s life and legacy; members asked whether Tubman had direct ties to Ohio.
Representatives advanced legislation to designate March 10 as Harriet Tubman Day in Ohio after sponsor testimony and brief questions from committee members.
House Bill 166 received sponsor testimony describing Tubman’s life and work and was moved forward by the committee. The bill would establish March 10 — the date of Tubman’s 1913 death — as Harriet Tubman Day in Ohio. Representative Williams, joint sponsor of the bill, told the committee that "this bill is a testament to the lasting impact of Harriet Tubman's actions before, during, and after the civil war." Representative Lawson Rowe (sponsor) recounted Tubman’s early life, injuries she suffered while enslaved, and her work leading people to freedom.
The measure’s nut graf: sponsors said the designation would honor Tubman’s contributions as an abolitionist, Union scout and nurse, and later advocate for women’s suffrage, and would add March 10 to Ohio’s commemorative observances.
Committee members voiced support and asked factual questions about Tubman’s connections to Ohio. Representative Weir asked whether Tubman “spent any time in Ohio,” and sponsors said they were unaware of confirmed trips and would research the question; Representative Lawson Rowe noted the Underground Railroad operated in Ohio and said Tubman’s influence was likely present even if direct visits are not documented.
After discussion the vice chair moved to favorably report HB 166 to the House Rules and Reference Committee. The clerk called the roll and members recorded affirmative votes in favor of the motion. The chair announced, “With 12 affirmative votes, the bill passes and we refer to rules and reference committee.” The committee also received a proponent written testimony from Angela Abrams on members’ iPads.
The sponsor and several members framed the bill as a symbolic recognition of Tubman’s resilience and service; no changes to implementation, funding, or state observance operations were discussed at the hearing. The committee did not specify an effective date in testimony.
The committee’s favorable report sends HB 166 to the Rules and Reference Committee for further consideration.
The committee noted written testimony and members were invited to cosponsor the bill before it continues through the legislative process.
