House of Representatives - Bob Clark
Dedication Address

Thank you for the opportunity to say a few words on behalf of congressman Hobson.

It is so fitting that we are gathered here today, not only celebrating Ohio's bicentennial, but also the end of an era in Ohio history by dedicating the bicentennial marker for Mariah Storts Allen, the last real daughter of the American Revolution, who passed away May 2, 1933.

She was our last direct connection to a veteran of a war that started everything this great country has come to symbolize.

We owe so much because of the sacrifices of our veterans like John Jacob Storts, who at age 13, volunteered to serve in the Revolutionary Army in 1777, the freedoms we enjoy today are because of the sacrifices made by him and all veterans. We should never take these freedoms for granted.

Who would have thought that 156 years later his youngest daughter would be laid to rest as Ohio's last daughter of the American Revolution.

Who would have thought that a total of 170 years span from the birth of John Storts to the death of Mariah Storts Allen.

With Ohio celebrating its bicentennial and the history it had with aviation. I think it is amazing that at age 89, the daughter of a revolutionary soldier flew in an airplane when a flying circus came to town in 1931.

I wonder what John Stort's reaction would have been if you told him that his daughter was going to fly in an airplane one day.

I would like to pass along congressman Hobson's congratulations to Keith Kaufman, the Perry County Bicentennial Commission, and all who were involved in making this marker a reality.

Bob Clark
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.

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