In memory of L. Helen Rankin.

As Adopted by the House

136th General Assembly

Regular Session

H. R. No. 369

2025-2026

Speaker
Huffman, Representatives Isaacsohn, Bryant Bailey, Abdullahi, Abrams,
Baker, Barhorst, Bird, Brennan, Brent, Brewer, Brownlee, Callender,
Claggett, Click, Cockley, Craig, Creech, Daniels, Dean, Deeter,
Demetriou, Dovilla, Ferguson, Fischer, Fowler Arthur, Ghanbari,
Glassburn, Grim, Gross, Hall, D., Hall, T., Hiner, Holmes, Hoops,
Humphrey, Jarrells, John, Johnson, King, Kishman, Klopfenstein,
Lampton, LaRe, Lawson-Rowe, Lear, Lett, Lorenz, Manning, Mathews, A.,
Mathews, T., McClain, McNally, Miller, J., Miller, K., Miller, M.,
Mohamed, Moore, Mullins, Newman, Odioso, Oelslager, Peterson,
Piccolantonio, Pizzulli, Plummer, Rader, Ray, Richardson, Ritter,
Robb Blasdel, Robinson, Roemer, Rogers, Russo, Salvo, Santucci,
Schmidt, Sigrist, Sims, Somani, Stephens, Stewart, Swearingen,
Sweeney, Synenberg, Teska, Thomas, C., Thomas, D., Thomas, J., Tims,
Troy, Upchurch, White, A., White, E., Williams, Willis, Workman,
Young

A R E S O L U T I O N

In
memory of L. Helen Rankin.

WHEREAS,
The members of the House of Representatives of the 136th General
Assembly of Ohio extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and
friends of L. Helen Rankin in their bereavement; and

WHEREAS,
Helen Rankin left an indelible impression in all of her endeavors,
and the State of Ohio benefited exponentially during her service as
an Ohio legislator, a career which spanned one appointment and seven
re-elected terms in office, for a total of sixteen years. Appointed
to the 112th General Assembly as the member for the Ohio House of
Representatives 25th District, which was subsequently redistricted to
the 30th District, Helen Rankin was the first African American woman
to serve in the state legislature, and she was a dependable and
esteemed advocate for women’s health, children, and the
underprivileged. She proved to be a champion for greater access to
insurance coverage, Medicaid reimbursement, special services for
impaired Ohioans, and Title XX Comprehensive Social Services
initiatives, and during her more than fifteen-year tenure, she was a
member of the Finance and Appropriations and Human Resources
committees. The wealth of experience she brought to her posts will be
remembered as a storied history of public service; and

WHEREAS,
Helen Rankin’s regard for improving the quality of life in our
society was reflected in her continued leadership in her community,
and she was esteemed for her character and strong values. She was a
longtime supporter of such entities as the Shalom Habitat for
Humanity Project, the Emanuel Community Center, and New Vision United
Methodist Church, and her meaningful efforts earned her the respect
of many. Her absence will, indeed, be keenly felt in countless
realms; and

WHEREAS,
Helen Rankin always used her talents to the benefit of others, and
the laurels of her life stand as a tribute not only to her but also
to the people who shaped her life, including her husband, the late
James, her children, James, Sharron, and Connie, and her seven
grandchildren. Although the void her death has created can never be
filled, the legacy of care and commitment she established will surely
live on. The world is a richer place for her having been in it, and
the impact she made during her lifetime will be her eternal legacy;
therefore be it

RESOLVED,
That we, the members of the House of Representatives of the 136th
General Assembly of Ohio, in adopting this Resolution, express a
profound sense of loss and sincere regret at the passing of L. Helen
Rankin and, in so doing, salute the memory of an honorable woman; and
be it further

RESOLVED,
That the Clerk of the House of Representatives transmit a duly
authenticated copy of this Resolution to the family of L. Helen
Rankin.