The Representative's Corner

State Representative Sean Patrick Brennan with the Mottl family with Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Jason Stephens presiding.

In a full session of the Ohio House of Representatives recently, I had the honor of eulogizing my longtime friend, predecessor, and role model, Ronald Milton Mottl. What follows is the speech I delivered to my 98 colleagues. You may watch it on the Ohio Channel at: ohiochannel.org/video/ohio-house-of-representatives-6-12-2024

“Thank you Mr. Speaker. Today it is a true honor to rise to pay tribute to the life of a great friend of mine, the Parma area, and the great state of Ohio – Congressman Ronald Milton Mottl.

I want to send a heartfelt condolence to his beloved wife Debbie and the entire Mottl family, including former State Representative Ron “Mickey” Mottl, who are with us today.

Congressman Mottl’s legacy of public service is rivaled by few, beginning with his service as Parma Ward 2 Councilman, then moving on to become President of Parma City Council, State Senator, U.S. Congressman, Parma School Board Member, and State Representative. He was truly a “role Mottl” for me and many others. Congressman Mottl was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a true pillar of our community - a man who left an indelible mark on the great state of Ohio.

He was a visionary leader and had many, many accomplishments, but the one this public school teacher of 30 years reveres most of all is the fact that he was the Father of the Ohio lottery. In my years of service, many a resident has frustratedly asked, where does the lottery money go?

We know that lottery profits are, in fact, used to fund public education. However, what many folks do not know is that when, then, Senator Mottl introduced the lottery bill, he intended lottery monies to supplement what the state spent on education. To his chagrin the decision was made to supplant the dollars – playing the proverbial shell game with them. Despite that, over $32 billion dollars of lottery profits have benefitted Ohio’s young learners.

I believe there should be a statue erected in Congressman Mottl’s honor for all that he has done for our state. He was a pragmatist who famously worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle. It was an honor to follow him as Parma Ward 2 Councilman, Presidents of Parma City Council, and now State Representative. I will probably never achieve his greatness, but I aspire to it.

Everyone in this room have more things in common than we can ever imagine. One of the things we have in common is the fact that one day someone in this august body will be reflecting on each of our lives and service. Therefore, we need to ask ourselves, ‘What do we want our legacy to be?’ As we reflect on Congressman Mottl’s years of service, let us make a new commitment to work together to do big things that positively impact the lives of all Ohioans. Generations of Ohioans yet unborn depend on us.

Congressman Mottl demonstrated that with dedication, perseverance, and a strong sense of community, one person can make a profound difference in the lives of many. He leaves behind a legacy of service, leadership, and a commitment to the betterment of our beloved Parma area and state of Ohio. Godspeed Ronald Milton Mottl.”