Senate honors retiring sergeant at arms, state champion teams and civil-rights leader in Black History Month tribute

The Ohio Senate took time during its Feb. 10 floor session in Columbus to honor staff, student-athletes and a civil-rights leader.

President Macaulay introduced John Thomas, who served as a Senate sergeant at arms and page coordinator since 2016 and retired in December 2025. Colleagues, including a former Senate president, praised Thomas’s service maintaining safety and supporting page operations; Thomas thanked the chamber and his wife.

The chamber welcomed the 2025 Division I state champion Olentangy Orange football team, which finished the season undefeated at 15–0 and won the title game 28–14 over Cincinnati Saint Xavier. Senators invited the players to the well and applauded their season-long accomplishments.

Senator Craig recognized the Saint Charles Preparatory School water polo team and coach Andrew Hoffman after their 17–8 state championship victory and offered a tribute marking the program’s ninth state title since 2010.

In remarks honoring Black History Month, Senator Craig recounted the life and public service of Reverend Dr. Theo Duffus Hale — born in Mississippi, educated at Morehouse College and Grambling Theological Seminary, long-serving pastor of Union Grove Baptist Church, elected to the Ohio House in 1966 and active in civil-rights organizations — and asked the chamber to honor his contributions.

The Senate also recognized the Sellers family during a ceremonial road-naming for Andrew Sellers, a Vietnam veteran; the road sign will be installed on State Route 2 in Lake County in August on Sellers’ birthday. The chamber welcomed visiting student groups, the Ohio Soybean Association board and other guests.

The recognitions concluded before the Senate moved on to committee reports and floor business.