As Introduced
135th General Assembly
Regular Session S. R. No. 343
2023-2024
Senator Antonio
Cosponsors: Senators Huffman, M., Craig, Smith, Ingram, Sykes, Hicks-Hudson,
DeMora, Blessing, Kunze, Reynolds, Manning, Brenner, Dolan, Gavarone,
Hackett, Huffman, S., McColley, O'Brien, Reineke, Romanchuk, Schaffer,
Schuring, Landis, Lang, Roegner
A RESOLUTION
In memory of Carolyn Jean Prentiss.
WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the 135th General Assembly 1
of Ohio extend our deepest regrets on the passing of Carolyn Jean 2
Prentiss and pay tribute to her memory; and 3
WHEREAS, C.J. Prentiss elevated the State of Ohio through her 4
indelible contributions to public service, and she left a lasting 5
impression as a dependable voice for social justice, educational 6
equality, and marginalized Ohioans. A trailblazing force not only for 7
her generation but also for many to come, she accomplished more in her 8
early professional endeavors than most people do in a lifetime and her 9
transcendent leadership grew through her involvement with such 10
organizations as Westsiders and Eastsiders Let’s Come Together, the 11
Ohio Cuyahoga Women’s Political Caucus, the Cleveland Rainbow 12
Coalition, and the State Board of Education. Indeed, she channeled her 13
experiences from these encounters into her tenure as an elected 14
official, representing her hometown of Cleveland as a member of the 15
Ohio Senate’s 21st District and the Ohio House of Representatives’ 8th 16
District, and her legislative peers evidenced support and esteem for 17
her character by selecting her for leadership roles. She accomplished 18
progress for the State of Ohio by maintaining her abounding 19
principles, and she will be remembered eternally for her tireless 20
example of courage, resolve, and integrity; and 21
WHEREAS, C.J. Prentiss was admired by her peers, constituents, 22
S. R. No. 343 Page 2
As Introduced
friends, and family for her positive philosophy of life, and she 23
championed for legislative measures to advance fairness and 24
opportunity in public education, increasing the minimum wage, and 25
funding important programs, including actions to address food 26
insecurity for children and families. In addition, she helped to 27
establish Policy Matters Ohio and the C.J. Pretiss Emerging Leaders 28
Project, and she visualized the success of the Prentiss Charney 29
Teacher Fellows program. Without a doubt, her stalwart legacy of 30
commitment to our state will live on; and 31
WHEREAS, C.J. Prentiss made the world much fuller, especially for 32
the individuals who had a treasured relationship with her, and she was 33
an endlessly devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. All 34
those who cherished her, including her husband, Michael Charney, her 35
sons, Maurice and Albert, and her five grandchildren, can find 36
strength in the embrace of loved ones and solace in the memories of 37
this truly great woman, for her unparalleled efforts will endure in 38
the communities where she made a difference; therefore be it 39
RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Senate of the 135th General 40
Assembly of Ohio, in adopting this Resolution, offer our sincere 41
condolences over the loss of Carolyn Jean Prentiss; and be it further 42
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a duly 43
authenticated copy of this Resolution to the family of Carolyn Jean 44
Prentiss. 45