As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session H. C. R. No. 11

2025-2026

Representative Jarrells

Cosponsors: Representatives Brennan, Brownlee, Grim, McNally, Mohamed, Piccolantonio, Russo, Sims, Upchurch

A c o n c u r r e n t R E S O L U T I O N

To acknowledge, condemn, and apologize for the wrongful displacement of the Randolph Freedpeople.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF OHIO (THE SENATE CONCURRING):

WHEREAS, In 1833, Virginia slaveholder John Randolph died and thereby, through his will, freed his slaves from bondage; and

WHEREAS, Randolph's former slaves, a group of 383 persons known now as the Randolph Freedpeople, ultimately secured their emancipation after a thirteen-year long legal battle over John Randolph's will; and

WHEREAS, In June 1846, The Randolph Freedpeople began their journey north from Virginia, primarily by foot, to 3,200 acres of land in Ohio, which had been purchased for their settlement; and

WHEREAS, Community leaders and elected officials in Ohio, hearing of the approach of the Randolph Freedpeople, passed a resolution stating their refusal to live among African Americans and their intent to violently resist the settlement of African Americans; and

WHEREAS, The Randolph Freedpeople were prevented from settling on their purchased land by an armed white mob and forced, for fear of their lives, to settle elsewhere in western Ohio; and

WHEREAS, Though dispossessed of their land and forced to start their new lives from nothing, the Randolph Freedpeople made significant contributions to the cultural, social, political, and economic fabric of the areas of Ohio they eventually settled and the state as a whole; and

WHEREAS, Despite the severe injustice inflicted upon the Randolph Freedpeople, the State of Ohio failed to intervene on their behalf; and

WHEREAS, Despite Ohio's status as a "free" state, by the enactment and operation of Ohio's "Black Laws," racial discrimination and racist restrictions on the rights of African Americans were official state policy at the time the Randolph Freedpeople came to Ohio; and

WHEREAS, The State of Ohio has never officially recognized or apologized for its role, by action and inaction, in encouraging, supporting, and condoning the unlawful displacement of the Randolph Freedpeople; and

WHEREAS, Slavery and the legal framework that supported it, including Ohio's Black Laws, left a legacy of racial mistrust and prejudice that continues to affect Ohioans to this day, including the descendants of the Randolph Freedpeople, whose ancestors never received the justice they deserved; and

WHEREAS, The United States Congress has previously passed resolutions apologizing for the enslavement and segregation of African Americans, demonstrating how the recognition of wrongs committed in the past is crucial for racial reconciliation and provides the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to a just future and a more perfect Union; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 136th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, acknowledge, condemn, and apologize for the violent and wrongful acts committed against the Randolph Freedpeople when they were forced off their land; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize the Randolph Freedpeople's many valuable contributions to the land they settled, our state, and our country, and honor their perseverance, in the face of great adversity, to live free; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we reaffirm the commitment of the State of Ohio to treat all persons with equal respect and fairness; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the news media of Ohio.