The Ohio Channel

May 7, 2009

05-07-2009

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Capitol Ohio

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The George Washington Williams Memorial Room is located on the first floor of the Statehouse building. It was named after the first African American legislator- a Civil War veteran, lawyer, author, and journalist from Hamilton County, Ohio. George Washington Williams served one House term, from 1880 to 1881.

Williams published History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens. This two-volume history from the African American point of view led to a press syndicate assigning Williams a series of articles based in Europe. Williams interviewed Belgium's King Leopold II about Belgium's control of the Congo and then traveled there himself to investigate. Upon discovery of the torture and killing occurring in the Congo (and the gross misrepresentation by the king), Williams wrote an open letter to King Leopold, creating outrage in Europe and America. As a result of William's investigative journalism sparked a human rights protest around the world.

After returning from the Congo, Williams contracted tuberculosis and died in England in 1891. He is buried in the Layton Cemetery in Blackpool.

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00:00:12	You are now in the George Washington Williams room.
00:00:16	This space is named in honor of the first
00:00:18	African-American legislator to serve here in the Statehouse.
00:00:22	In addition to two oil paintings and bronze bust of Williams,
00:00:26	it features photographic portraits of others of African heritage
00:00:30	who would follow him in both the House and Senate.
00:00:34	George Washington Williams was a Civil War veteran
00:00:37	and ordained minister who took up the study of law
00:00:40	while residing in Cincinnati.
00:00:42	He was elected to represent Hamilton County in 1879,
00:00:46	serving one term in the House from 1880 - 1881.
00:00:51	After his term, he would also become a published author,
00:00:54	respected historian, and became engaged in the cause of civil justice.
00:00:59	He died at the age of 42 while in England.
00:01:02	Williams' inspiring example of perseverance in the face of adversity
00:01:06	echoes the struggles that many Ohio citizens have gone through
00:01:10	in order to be part of the process that occurs in the Statehouse.
00:01:14	It's helpful to remember that when the building was first in use,
00:01:17	the majority of Ohio citizens were denied the basic right of voting.
00:01:23	These groups of citizens, like African Americans, native Americans,
00:01:27	women, and young adults, are now included
00:01:30	in the business of the people.

Note : Transcripts are compiled from uncorrected captions