James Oberstar: “I strongly support H.R. 3712, a bill to designate the U.S. courthouse located at 1716 Spielbusch Avenue in Toledo, Ohio…”

“I strongly support H.R. 3712, a bill to designate the U.S. courthouse located at 1716 Spielbusch Avenue in Toledo, Ohio, as the ``James M. Ashley and Thomas W.L. Ashley United States Courthouse.'' This bill was introduced by the gentlewoman from Ohio, Ms. Kaptur, to honor two members of the Ashley family, James M. Ashley and Thomas W.L. Ashley. The Ashley family has a distinguished record in public service dating back to the mid 1800s. Various members of this family have served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1858. James Monroe Ashley, 1824-1896, served five terms as a Representative from Ohio. During the American Civil War, Congressman Ashley was the first Representative to call for an amendment to the United States Constitution to outlaw slavery. The amendment he sponsored served as the antecedent to the thirteenth amendment of the Constitution, which abolished slavery. Thomas William Ludlow Ashley is the great-grandson of former Governor and Congressman, James M. Ashley. In 1954, Thomas William Ludlow Ashley was elected to Congress served a total of 13 terms in Congress.”