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Michael D. Pitman reports about Butler County, Ohio, politics, county government, countywide issues and Butler County people just like you for Cox Ohio Publishing (including the Hamilton JournalNews, Middletown Journal and several weekly papers in Butler County). He wants your suggestions and questions for more news stories. Leave a comment for him here or e-mail Michael at Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2011 > February > 28 > Entry
Combs again pushes for Hamilton native to be state icon
The Ohio House will vote on legislation to help make the children’s book “Lentil” the state children’s book, and designate Robert McCloskey, of Hamilton, the state’s children’s author.
The legislation passed the House State Government and Elections Committee unanimously last week.
“This is a unique opportunity to honor an Ohioan who took his talents to great heights and made a name for himself in the world of children’s literature,” Combs said.
McCloskey, born and raised in Hamilton authored “Lentil,” a story of a boy who couldn’t sing or whistle, and could not pucker his lips. The boy saved his pennies, bought a harmonica and eventually become a community hero.
The book features a number of illustrations from the city of Hamilton.
The initiative to make “Lentil” the state children’s book and McCloskey the state children’s author has failed in the past to get the bill passed. It had made it to the Ohio Senate in 2008, but failed to get a vote.
The Library of Congress, in observing its bicentennial in 2000, awarded McCloskey one of 78 “Living Legends” medals to Americans whose varied creative contributions to American life have made them living legends, according to a press release from Combs’ office.
McCloskey died in 2003.
In a 2009 article by Josh Sweigart, there could be protest by fans of other Ohio children’s authors — Natalie Babbitt (of Dayton) and R.L. Stine (of Columbus).
The bill will soon be voted on by the House.
Thoughts?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: State House of Representatives, Statewide issues
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By Robert Eichel
March 1, 2011 12:00 PM | Link to this
I think it would be fitting and proper to recognize him in this manner. As a child I listened to his stories and music. I enjoyed them then as I do now. I vote YES.
By whu?
March 2, 2011 5:55 PM | Link to this
With all due respect to Mr. McCloskey, how about working on the economy, jobs, gas prices, taxes and all those trivial things?
By Lovie
March 3, 2011 9:41 AM | Link to this
Recognizing citizens for good works are important and in this time we need positive news. I would like to see a list of actions that has had a positive effect on this BROKE JOBLESS part of Ohio. I would like to know what Combs has done in office other than his magic trick of sneaking into the office that he is in.0H!I know he was elected this time.Yep, I’m a member of the GOP Tea Party. Lovely