When Former State Represenative Michael DeBose came into the state legislature in Columbus, he never forgot the people in Cleveland who put him there. He'd often champion the needs of the poor, sick and minorities who lived in his district…like this time….back in 2004. He used his special brand of humor to caution state lawmakers about raising campaign contribution limits because he feared more money would limit access for poor Ohioans.
In my district you don't donate 250 thousand dollars. That's an investment. People want a return on their investment. And that return generally is access. They want to get access to legislators to hear their bills, their issues and their concerns. And the Bible says, I'm not going to preach, but in Proverbs it says money is the answer of all things. And money may not be number one but it's way out in front of whatever is number two.
DeBose, was in fact, an ordained and licensed minister at the Zion Chapel Baptist Church. He was generally a calming presence in the legislature. But there were times when his passion was known….like in 2005…when lawmakers were passing a bill that made cuts in a program for people with medical disabilities. Still DeBose called for cooperation.
DeBose - This is not a Republican issue or a democratic issue. It's not a black or white issue. It's not a male or female issue. This is a human issue. This is a people issue. People are suffering from this. And now, we have the opportunity to reverse some suffering.
During his last couple of years as a state lawmaker, it was evident that DeBose's oratory skills were suffering somewhat because of his battle with Parkinson's disease. But that didn't stop him from making his voice heard. In 2010, one of his last bills he championed…..a bill to make it illegal to text while driving…..passed the Ohio House.
DeBose - If the people on the other side of the aisle say "no", I understand that and this is a political situation. You'd rather have politics than an understanding of what's on the road.
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern served with DeBose in the legislature. He says DeBose was a friend and a principled lawmaker who wasn't always in step with his party.
Redfern - A lot of people don't realize Mike DeBose was one of the few legislators from the big cities that actually believed in concealed carry. He went through training and received his permit and it happened after he was assaulted in front of his house. He thought that maybe he needed to learn more about it. He learned it. He had an opposing issue on these kinds of issues with other democrats but in this case, he did it because it was what was important to his district and what was important to him.
DeBose ended his legislative career in 2010 when he was forced out by term limits. Redfern says during those years, DeBose practiced what he preached.
Redfern - If we look back at Michael's legacy, it won't be the number of bills passed. It will be the number of times he stood up and talked about what mattered to him….and that is the people who often times don't have a voice.
