As Adopted by the Senate
136th General Assembly
Regular Session S. R. No. 4
2025-2026
Senators Craig, McColley
Cosponsors: Senators Antonio, Blackshear, Blessing, Brenner, Chavez, Cirino,
Cutrona, DeMora, Gavarone, Hicks-Hudson, Huffman, Ingram, Johnson, Koehler,
Landis, Lang, Liston, Manchester, Manning, O'Brien, Patton, Reineke, Reynolds,
Roegner, Romanchuk, Schaffer, Smith, Weinstein, Wilkin, Wilson
A R E S O L U T I O N
In memory of Ben Espy.
WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the 136th General Assembly
of Ohio extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of
Ben Espy on the sorrowful occasion of his death; and
WHEREAS, Ben Espy left an indelible impression on the people whose
lives he touched, and he will be remembered as a spirited individual
who contributed immeasurably to the world around him. An attorney, he
worked for Allegheny Airlines as a corporate lawyer and served the
U.S. Air Force as an assistant staff judge advocate at Hancock Field
Air Force Base and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office as a staff
member before starting his own law practice in 1977. Widely renowned
for his career in public office, he was a member of the Columbus City
Council for ten years, holding the post of president pro tempore and
then the Ohio Senate for ten years, serving as the assistant minority
leader and minority leader. He was active with several local and state
organizations and started the Columbus Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Holiday Celebration and the Columbus Youth Corps. Indeed, he will be
remembered for his generosity, talents, and seemingly inexhaustible
energy; and
WHEREAS, Ben Espy’s regard for improving the quality of life in
our society was clearly evident in his personal sacrifices of time and
effort to family, friends, and community. Giving generously of his
energy and abilities in all of his endeavors, he displayed exceptional
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As Adopted by the Senate
concern and insight, and his absence will be keenly felt; and
WHEREAS, A loving husband to his wife, the late Kathlynne, a
devoted father to his four children, Elizabeth, Amy, Laura, and
Lynnette, and a doting grandfather to his numerous grandchildren, Ben
Espy always used his talents to the benefit of others, and the warmth
and understanding he readily extended to those around him will stand
as a testament to his personal character. Although the void which his
death has created can never be filled, the legacy of care and
commitment he 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 man, Ben Espy; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a duly
authenticated copy of this Resolution to the family of Ben Espy.
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