In memory of Mary Rose Oakar.

As Adopted by the Senate

136th General Assembly

Regular Session

S. R. No. 194

2025-2026

Senators
Antonio, McColley

Cosponsors:
Senators Blackshear, Blessing, Brenner, Chavez, Cirino, Craig,
Cutrona, DeMora, Gavarone, Hicks-Hudson, Huffman, Ingram, Johnson,
Koehler, Landis, Lang, Liston, Manchester, Manning, O'Brien, Patton,
Reineke, Reynolds, Roegner, Romanchuk, Schaffer, Smith, Timken,
Weinstein, Wilkin, Wilson

A R E S O L U T I O N

In
memory of Mary Rose Oakar.

WHEREAS,
The members of the Senate of the 136th General Assembly of Ohio were
deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mary Rose Oakar and extend
our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends; and

WHEREAS,
Mary Rose Oakar left an indelible impression on the people whose
lives she touched, and she will be remembered as a spirited
individual who contributed immeasurably to the world around her.
Widely renowned for her prolific career in public service, she served
three years on the Cleveland City Council and then sixteen years in
the U.S. House of Representatives serving Ohio’s 20th District,
where she was instrumental in supporting legislation affecting
women’s and elder issues, government employees, Social Security,
and fair compensation as well as securing resources for the
revitalization of downtown Cleveland and the surrounding area, and
she was the first Democratic woman from Ohio, Arab-American woman,
Syrian-American, and Lebanese-American woman to be elected to this
position. She went on to be sworn in to the Ohio House of
Representatives and then to hold the posts of member of the Ohio
State Board of Education and president of the American-Arab
Anti-Discrimination Committee. Indeed, she will be remembered for her
generosity, talents, and seemingly inexhaustible energy; and

WHEREAS,
Mary Rose Oakar was an educator at Lourdes Academy and Cuyahoga
Community College, a devoted Catholic, and a lifelong parishioner of
St. Patrick Bridge Avenue, and her regard for improving the quality
of life in our society was clearly evident in her personal sacrifices
of time and effort to family, friends, and community. Giving
generously of her time and abilities in all of her endeavors, she
displayed exceptional concern and insight, and her absence will be
keenly felt; and

WHEREAS,
A loving sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, Mary Rose Oakar always
used her talents to the benefit of others, and the warmth and
understanding she readily extended to those around her will stand as
a testament to her personal character. Although the void which her
death has created can never be filled, the legacy of care and
commitment she established will surely live on; therefore be it

RESOLVED,
That we, the members of the Senate of the 136th General Assembly of
Ohio, in adopting this Resolution, pay tribute to the memory of a
truly honorable woman, Mary Rose Oakar; and be it further

RESOLVED,
That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a duly authenticated copy of
this Resolution to the family of Mary Rose Oakar.