As Introduced
135th General Assembly
Regular Session S. R. No. 467
2023-2024
Senators Huffman, M., Antonio
Cosponsors: Senators Antani, Blessing, Brenner, Chavez, Cirino, Craig, Cutrona,
DeMora, Dolan, Gavarone, Hackett, Hicks-Hudson, Huffman, S., Ingram, Johnson,
Kunze, Landis, Lang, Manning, McColley, O'Brien, Reineke, Reynolds, Roegner,
Romanchuk, Schaffer, Schuring, Smith, Sykes, Wilkin, Wilson
A RESOLUTION
In memory of Jo Ann Davidson.
WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the 135th General Assembly 1
of Ohio extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of 2
Jo Ann Davidson in their bereavement; and 3
WHEREAS, Jo Ann Davidson left an indelible impression on the 4
people whose lives she touched, and she will be remembered as a 5
spirited individual who contributed immeasurably to the world around 6
her. She was a trailblazer with a prolific career in public service 7
and politics that spanned nearly 60 years. Jo Ann began as a 8
volunteer and in 1965 ran for a seat on the all-male Reynoldsburg City 9
Council and was defeated. Never one to give up, Jo Ann’s 10
perseverence, organizational skills and exceptional work ethic got her 11
elected to that council two years later. Her ten years of service on 12
the city council and experience gained with the Ohio Chamber of 13
Commerce helped prepare her for the challenge of the Ohio General 14
Assembly. Jo Ann was elected to serve in the Ohio House of 15
Representatives in 1980, and during her twenty-year tenure there, she 16
held the prestigious offices of minority whip, minority leader, and 17
became the first and only woman to be elected Speaker of the House. 18
In addition, she chaired the Franklin County Republican Central 19
Committee for twenty years and co-chaired the Republican National 20
Committee for four years, and was selected to become the first chair 21
of the Ohio Casino Control Commission when Ohio voters legalized 22
S. R. No. 467 Page 2
As Introduced
gaming. Well-respected by members of both political parties, she will 23
be remembered for her intellect, keen wit, generosity, no-nonsense 24
demeanor, and seemingly inexhaustible energy; and 25
WHEREAS, Jo Ann Davidson’s regard for improving the quality of 26
life in our society was clearly evident in her personal sacrifices of 27
time and effort to family, friends, and community. Among her 28
endeavors, she founded The Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute, 29
inspiring many women to get involved in government and run for public 30
office. She was a member of the boards of trustees of The Ohio State 31
University, the University of Findlay, and Franklin University and the 32
board of directors of Western and Southern Financial Group, and she 33
received several honors and awards. Jo Ann Davidson exemplified grace, 34
class and integrity and was a role model for future leaders. Giving 35
generously of her energy and abilities in all of her endeavors, she 36
displayed exceptional concern and insight, and her absence will be 37
keenly felt; and 38
WHEREAS, A devoted mother to her daughters, Jenifer and the late 39
Julie, and a loving grandmother to her grandchildren, Maxwell, Taylor, 40
Emily, and the late Alexander, Jo Ann Davidson always used her talents 41
to the benefit of others, and the warmth and understanding she readily 42
extended to those around her will stand as a testament to her personal 43
character. Although the void her death has created can never be 44
filled, the legacy of care and commitment she established will surely 45
live on; therefore be it 46
RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Senate of the 135th General 47
Assembly of Ohio, in adopting this Resolution, express our genuine 48
regret at the death of Jo Ann Davidson and, in so doing, pay tribute 49
to the memory of a truly unique individual; and be it further 50
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a duly 51
authenticated copy of this Resolution to the family of Jo Ann 52
Davidson. 53