COLUMBUS—House lawmakers today issued the following statement regarding the missed opportunity to present a resolution on the floor to Elizabeth Trisler, national pro-life oratory contest winner from Ohio.
“The achievements of Ohio’s youth should be encouraged and celebrated,” said Rep. Terry Blair (R-Washington Township). “Ms. Trisler is a great role model for Ohio’s youth and has done the state of Ohio proud in this national speech competition. Whether we are pro-life or pro-choice, we should all support this young woman for her extraordinary achievement.”
In June, Ms. Trisler bested fellow students from more than two dozen states to earn first prize in the contest at the 37th Annual Right to Life Convention in Charlotte. The Democratic majority said it would be best to wait until after the summer to schedule the floor presentation, and the date of October 27th was selected. After numerous session cancellations and relentless rescheduling efforts, House Clerk Tom Sherman finally acknowledged that Ms. Trisler would not receive her floor presentation because of a “problem with the subject matter.”
“I am very saddened to learn of the Speaker’s decision to deny Ms. Trisler the opportunity to be recognized on the floor of the Ohio House,” said Rep. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) and former President of the Ohio Right to Life Society. “In a time when constructive public debate is in very short supply, as policy makers we should be in the business of lifting up young people who are willing to take a stand on the important issues of our day – whether we agree or not.”