February 9, 2010 For additional information contact: Mike Brickner,

For Immediate Release Communications Director, ACLU of Ohio, 216.472.2220

Ohio House Should Honor Achievements

Regardless of Political Beliefs, Says ACLU
Speaker Budish Should Reconsider Ban on
‘Controversial’ Awards
COLUMBUS- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio urged House Speaker
Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) to re-assess his decision to block certain
groups or individuals from being recognized on the floor of the Ohio House.
Elizabeth Trisler, a Shelby County teen who recently won an oratory contest
sponsored by National Right to Life, was scheduled to be presented with a
proclamation by state Rep. John Adams (R-Sidney) on February 3. Speaker
Budish decided Ms. Trisler should not be honored on the House floor because
he believed it could be divisive.

“By declining to recognize Ms. Trisler’s achievement, Speaker Budish has

created a troubling precedent that anyone who is deemed ‘controversial’ by
House leadership will not be honored,” said ACLU of Ohio Executive Director
Christine Link. “Legislators should pay tribute to those who excel in their field,
regardless of their political views or affiliations. This decision could cause
legislators to second guess issuing proclamations for many Ohioans.”

“Perhaps what is more troubling is the message this sends to Ms. Trisler and
other young activists like her,” added Link. “Instead of teaching young people
that the answer is to silence those who disagree with us, legislators should be
modeling how to address difficult issues thoughtfully and listen respectfully to
others.”

Since January 2009, the Ohio House has issued 217 resolutions honoring
individuals or organizations. 43 have had their proclamation delivered to them to
the House floor. Most of the honorees were athletes or sports teams; however,
other individuals such as Miss Wheelchair Ohio and the winner of the 2009 MLK
Statewide Oratorical Contest were recognized.

“Ohio has a diverse political and social landscape that includes a broad
spectrum of views that may be controversial to some. If we limit whose
achievements may be honored, we are only contributing to the notion that these
issues are divisive and cannot reasonably be discussed. If anything, the House
should expand who they choose to honor in order to recognize the
accomplishments of those from a range of political and social viewpoints,”
concluded Link.

-30-