February 1, 2018 Speaker Cliff Rosenberger 77 S. High St. 14th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 Dear Speaker Rosenberger, As elected officials, we hold ourselves to a high standard, one of respect for each other, the institution and to the people of Ohio. I am troubled to hear reports that a House member, one in a leadership position, made disparaging remarks mocking and humiliating victims of sexual harassment and alleged assault at a work-related event the same week members attended mandatory anti-sexual harassment training following instances of sexual harassment at the Statehouse. This conduct falls far short of the standard by which elected officials should conduct themselves. Not only is it a black eye on the institution, it is a danger to women. I urge you, Mr. Speaker, to remove this member from his leadership role and ask that he resign immediately from the Ohio House. Sexual harassment and assault is not something to be laughed away by men in power. No woman should ever feel unsafe at work, uneasy to perform the essential duties of her job. This conduct perpetuates the “good ol’ boys” culture all too familiar to women in workplaces across the nation. Women deserve better—not more of the same tired excuses. When elected officials contribute to a hostile work environment, it is time for a change. Apologies are not enough. If we want real change, we cannot continue to let members treat the Statehouse like their own personal playground. Taking responsibility means doing what is hard and holding perpetrators of workplace harassment accountable for their actions. That is why I urge the immediate removal of Rep. William Seitz from his leadership position and his subsequent resignation from the Ohio House of Representatives.
Sincerely,
Nickie J Antonio State Representative Ohio District 13
Kathleen Clyde State Representative Ohio District 75
Teresa Fedor State Representative Ohio District 45
www.ohiohouse.gov 77 S. High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6111
Michele Lepore-Hagan State Representative Ohio District 58