Queen City Champion
By Christopher Scott
Alicia Reece – fierce, champion, dedication; these are just a few of the words that can be used to describe Representative Reece. The representative of the “fighting 33rd district of Ohio,” previously served as President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus and as Vice Mayor on Cincinnati City Council, chairing the Health Committee for six years. She is the former Assistant Director of Tourism for the State of Ohio but as she waves goodbye for the moment to Ohio statehouse what is the legacy she leaves behind.
Alicia Reece
Representative Reece leaves behind an unquestioned legacy of being a champion of not only justice reform, minority business, pushing the DNC’s platform but above all voting rights. While, Rep. Reece’s certainly gained notoriety for her proposal, John Crawford’s Law, which would require toy guns to feature prominent fluorescent strips or markers to distinguish them from real firearms adding to her record in which she has worked closely with Rev. Al Sharpton and other minority community leaders as well as the National Action Network to combat police brutality, reduce gun violence, and create safer communities across the state perhaps her greatest feat was the advocacy for the voting bill of rights.
There is no question that Ohio has struggled with voting rights issues, not only the canceling of Golden Week (where citizens could register to vote and vote at the same time) but the unwanted attention of purging inactive voters from the voter rolls. Rep. Reece has fought and clawed through proposed legislation and ballot initiative that Ohio adds a Voter Bill of Rights to the constitution as well as other states throughout the nation. Recently in working with that state up North (Michigan) they passed it as a ballot measure. Among other noteworthy workings, Representative Reece worked with the governor to get 1.4 million additional dollars for summer youth employment.
In her farewell address to the general assembly Rep. Reece stated “Position is something that is happening today, its term limited, someone can take it from you, but purpose is what God puts upon you that is your personal assignment, and that is why the voter bill of rights is one of the things I am committed to… Furthermore, my goal in life is to make sure that everyone has an equal shot at the American dream; I would like to thank God… my family… but most importantly I would like to thank all who voted for me, know that this is not the end but the continuation.”
While we may not know exactly what is on the horizon for Rep. Reece, we do know that we can count on her still championing our causes.
