We, Citizens for Deaf Cultures, in the Great State of Ohio want to celebrate Ohio Deaf History Month Annually from March 13th to April 15th Statewide to give special honor to the many deaf cultures in Ohio.

We start with the 1st deaf school, the Connecticut Asylum (at West Hartford) for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons; now known as the American School for the Deaf (ASD) that was established in America by Rev. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, Prof. Louis Laurent Marie Clerc and Dr. Mason Fitch Cogswell, father of Deaf-Mute girl named Alice Cogswell on April 15, 1817; the 38th Congress authorized Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind (Gallaudet University) to confer college degrees and the bill signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on April 8, 1864. Further, Deaf President Now (DPN) history was made at Gallaudet University with the swearing in of the 1st deaf president on March 13, 1988 after a week long rally at Gallaudet University.

Furthermore, Ohio's rich in deaf history; One of many establishments was the National Association of the Deaf-Mutes (National Association for the Deaf) which was created by Edmund W. Booth of Chicopee, Massachusetts and Robert Paterson MacGregor of Lockland, Ohio after First National Convention of Deaf-Mutes in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 25, 1880, and where MacGregor was the first deaf president.

In Addition, William Ellsworth “Dummy” Hoy of Houcktown, Ohio, graduated from Ohio School for the Deaf, was the first deaf baseball player to have a long career in major leagues from 1888 to 1902.  

We want our National Deaf History Month proposal to be recognized and proclaimed by the Governor Kasich, but it was denied due to the word "National". They felt that it should be handled by the Federal level, not State level. Here is the copy from the Governor's office:

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Letter from Dave Ward, Director of Constituent Affairs Office of Ohio Governor John R. Kasich:

Thank you for your message regarding the issuing of a proclamation from Governor Kasich recognizing Deaf History Month. In order for the governor to issue a proclamation, we must receive confirmation that Deaf History Month has been formally recognized at the federal level, either through a proclamation issued by the president or a resolution passed by Congress. Additionally, sample language should be included for consideration. Can you confirm that Deaf History Month has been formally recognized at the federal level?"

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The State Library of Ohio Board approved our Resolution Proposal and signed on March 17, 2016 to Honor National Deaf History Month.  

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Letter from State Library, signed by Jennifer Thompson McKell, Ohio State Library Board President and Melissa B. Lodge, Ohio State Library Associate Librarian.  Here is the Copy of Resolution:

WHEREAS, National Deaf History Month covers the period March 13 to April 15; and

WHEREAS, National Deaf History Month Celebrates deaf history and the contributions of the hearing impaired and deaf community to American society; and

WHEREAS, National Deaf History Month was the creation of two deaf employees at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in Washington DC; and

WHEREAS, The State Library of Ohio has a longstanding partnership with the Ohio School for the Deaf, working together to provide information for and about people who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

WHEREAS, Ohio's school, academic, public and special libraries make a difference in the lives of millions of Ohioans and provide excellent and invaluable service to library users regardless of age, ethnicity, disability or socioeconomic background; and

WHEREAS, many libraries in Ohio and across America are celebrating National Deaf History Month with a variety of special displays, programs, or events;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that on this day, March 17, 2016, the State Library Board proclaims National Deaf History Month, March 13 - April 15, 2016, and encourages Ohio libraries to host deaf awareness activities during this month-long celebration."

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We thank Alice Lougee Hagemeyer, President of Friends of Library Deaf Action (FOLDA)/Library for Deaf Action (LDA) and Alec Charles McFarlane, President of National Literary Society of the Deaf (NLSD)/Library for Deaf Action (LDA) for their support to get the Resolution.

We would like to have your support to get our Governor to reconsider our Ohio Deaf History Month proposal.  Please take a moment to comment on why this proposal is important to the deaf community in Ohio to be recognized.  

Thank you for your support,

Citizens for Deaf Cultures Ohio