Dayton Daily News...
Lawmaker pushing to add tribute to Wright brothers on Ohio seal
Alteration would be a tribute to the Wright brothers.
By William Hershey  

September 2, 2011 

COLUMBUS — The Wright brothers’ history-making airplane will be added to the Great Seal of the State of Ohio if one local lawmaker has his way. 

State Rep. James Butler, R-Oakwood, on Tuesday introduced legislation to put a representation of the first piloted airplane flown by the Wright brothers in 1903 above and to the left of the sun on the current seal. 

“Ohio is the center of innovation and certainly the birthplace of powered flight and aviation,” said Butler, a former Naval aviator. 

There have been previous, unsuccessful attempts to honor Orville and Wilbur Wright, but Butler said it’s worth trying again. 

It would be especially good for the Miami Valley, he said. 

“I think, as far as branding, that’s an important part of bringing business to our area,” he said. “It is really a good thing to do because it won’t cost any money.” 

There will be no cost because the bill doesn’t call for changing existing seals, only adding the plane to new seals after the new design is approved, he said. 

He said one objection is that the change would buck tradition. However, the seal has been changed 10 times, most recently in 1996, said Butler. 

Butler is joint sponsor with Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville. 

The bill has broad, bipartisan support as indicated by 59 cosponsors — Republicans and Democrats — in the 99-member House. 

Butler said he has spoken briefly with House Speaker William Batchelder, R-Medina, and Batchelder said he wants to learn more about the proposal. 

Mike Dittoe, Batchelder’s spokesman, confirmed that there is a lot of interest. 

“The Wright brothers are a very important and integral part of the state of Ohio,” Dittoe said. 

Read it at the Dayton Daily News