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(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—The following is a statement by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine on the death today of former U.S. Senator and Governor George V. Voinovich.
"Fran and
I are heartbroken by the news of George’s death. Our hearts go out to his
beloved wife Janet, their children, and their grandchildren.
"George
Voinovich was a good person -- a good man. He was a man of deep religious
faith, and it was that faith that guided him in his decisions. He truly
lived his belief that with God, all things are possible.
"He
believed that his calling was to serve others -- his city, community,
and country -- through his work in government. He also believed that
everyone had God-given gifts, and that we all need to use our gifts to help
others. He often talked about his mother, Josephine, who
volunteered at the library at St. Aloysius well into her 80s to serve the
children there.
"George was
a mentor to me, but he was also my friend. I was honored to serve as his
Lieutenant Governor and had the great opportunity to watch him lead and see
first-hand his management skills.
"He was a
tireless worker. George took home work every night and on the
weekends. His administrative style and philosophy were to hire good
people, hold them accountable, but let them run their departments.
"George
was the long-time mayor of Cleveland -- a city kid, but he loved the Ohio State
Fair! He loved being with the 4-H kids, working the bidders at the Sale
of Champions, staying overnight with a farm family, and being a part of Ohio’s
great agriculture community. After he left the Governor’s Office, he
would continue to come to the Ohio State Fair with grandkids every
summer. He was so proud of the Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center on
the Fairgrounds.
"George
took great pride in sharing Ohio’s unique places with others. He had a
passion for promoting Ohio tourism -- from the banks of the Ohio River to the shores of Lake
Erie. He loved our state.
"George
and Janet had a true partnership. They were best friends, and she
was everything to him. He would often say that Janet was God’s greatest
gift to him.
"He loved
his family fiercely and nothing mattered to him more -- nothing. He would
get so excited talking about his grandkids, especially.
"Ohio lost
a true leader, visionary, and statesman today."
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