Senate Passes Reineke Bill to Honor President Rutherford B. Hayes

COLUMBUS—The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 62, sponsored by State Senator Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), to designate October 4 as Rutherford B. Hayes Day in Ohio. Hayes is credited with starting career technical education.

"President Hayes was a great Ohioan and a great American," Reineke said. "His legacy of leadership moved the nation forward in both good and troubled times. It's an honor to have the first presidential library, the Rutherford B. Hayes Library and Museums, in Fremont, and I hope that celebrating him on his birthday every year educates all Ohioans on this venerable statesman."

Hayes' presidency focused on protecting the voting rights of African Americans and pursuing education for equality. Hayes is considered the father of career technical education, ensuring all people can prosper in the United States. He championed civil service reforms to ensure high offices were filled through merit and hard work, not political patronage. Hayes also signed a bill allowing female attorneys to appear before the Supreme Court. As Governor of Ohio in 1870, Hayes created a land grant, establishing The Ohio State University.

President Rutherford Hayes was Ohio born and bred. He was educated at Kenyon College and attended Harvard Law School. Following his legal education, Hayes moved back to Ohio where he became active in anti-slavery work and took cases to help fugitive slaves.

Hayes enlisted in the Union Army when the Civil War began, rising to become a major general. During his time in the Army, Hayes was elected to Congress despite not campaigning and did not take office until the war was won. In Congress, he fought for legislation to secure the rights of black citizens. Hayes soon after became the Governor of Ohio. 

Hayes said he would not run for a second term and he fulfilled that promise, retiring to Spiegel Grove in Fremont after his time in Washington. There he continued to advocate for all Americans until his death at age 70. 

Senate Bill 62 now heads to the Ohio House for consideration.