Moms for Ohio Honors Redfern for Legislative Leadership

Moms for Ohio has presented state Rep. Chris Redfern (D-Catawba Island) with an award for his exemplary legislative leadership. This award commends Rep. Redfern’s support for the creation of the first Pledge of Allegiance specialty license plate in the country. This new Ohio license plate depicts an American flag and bears the phrase “One Nation Under God.”

Specialty license plates, including plates for colleges, pets, parks, landmarks, and various advocacy organizations, often serve as fundraisers for these causes. In contrast, the Pledge of Allegiance license plate does not raise funds for any entity but allows purchasers of the plate to express their views.

Moms for Ohio, a political action committee with about 300 members formed by seven women in 2004 in Strongsville, OH, petitioned for the specialty plate as a means for people to advocate retaining the phrase “One Nation Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. At the urging of President Dwight Eisenhower, Congress first added the words “under God” to the Pledge in 1954.

Redfern, who said he was honored to receive recognition from Moms for Ohio, also recently received the Ohio Sea Grant Superior Leadership Award for his efforts to create the “Fish Lake Erie” license plate.

Dear Friends....

February 27, 2006 - Last week, I filed my petitions to run for re-election as your State Representative in the 80th House District. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve those of you in Erie and Ottawa Counties for the past seven years and I am excited about gearing up for this campaign and continuing to fight for Ohio?s families in Columbus.

But in order to be successful, I need your help!

In 2004, I ran for the House unopposed, but now, I am facing tough opposition from a Huron Township Trustee named Ed Enderle.

Winning this election will take hard work and commitment-- and it will take your financial support as well!

Your contribution of $100, $50, $25 or whatever you can afford will enable me to run an aggressive campaign and help us get ahead early so that we can focus on other races in Ottawa and Erie Counties and all across this state. Together, we can win re-election and help elect Democrats who will fight for all Ohioans, not just some of them.

Thank you for all that you do.

- Chris Redfern