Official Portrait Dedication Ceremony Held for Senate President Matt Huffman

Family, friends, and former Ohio Senate Presidents gathered in the Atrium of the Ohio Statehouse this week for the official portrait dedication of Senate President Matt Huffman.

Huffman, a Lima native, completes his term as Senate President at the end of the year after serving the last four years as President.

President Huffman's daughters Ellen and Clare told moving stories about their dad and how even today, regardless of how busy he is at the Statehouse, he always answers their phone calls.

"But most importantly he always answers when our mom calls," said Huffman's daughter Ellen. "We mean this with love, but our dad could definitely not do what he does without our mom, nor would he want to."

Sheryl Huffman remarked that she and Matt have been married 40 years, have been blessed with 11 grandchildren, and have visited 44 state capitals. "You are a great life partner," she said.

The Huffmans' four children Clare, Matthew, Ellen, and Sam joined their parents for the dedication of the portrait painted by portrait artist Ellen Cooper.

The portrait is commissioned by the Senate and privately funded at zero expense to the taxpayers.

It will hang outside the Senate Chamber as a part of Ohio Statehouse history.

Watch highlights of the dedication, and find the entire ceremony here as covered by the Ohio Channel.