Rep. Sykes Participates In Wreath Laying Ceremony To Honor Former President William McKinley’s 181st Birthday
CANTON, OH — Yesterday, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) participated in the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum’s annual wreath laying ceremony in honor of former President William McKinley’s birthday, which is January 29, 1843.
“Ohio has long been called the ‘Mother of Presidents’ for producing more presidents than any other state in the country. Ohio’s 13th Congressional District lives up to this distinction by serving as the home of former President William McKinley. It was an honor to participate in this ceremony to commemorate President McKinley’s life and legacy, and to recognize the contributions of this district in our nation’s history,” said Rep. Sykes.
“Each year, the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum proudly celebrates the anniversary of the President’s birth on the last Saturday of January, a tradition that has been observed for over a century. It is customary for the current White House to send a general to lay a wreath at each presidential gravesite to commemorate the president’s birthday. Although our Museum also hosts a family-friendly day of activities, a highlight of the event is always the moving wreath laying ceremony, which includes dignitaries that represent his military service and his role as a public servant as a US Congressman, Governor of Ohio, and President of the United States. It is our duty and our honor to preserve the legacy of William McKinley here at his presidential library,” said Kimberly Kenney, executive director of McKinley Presidential Library.
The ceremony featured government and military officials who laid a wreath in front of the bust of McKinley located in front of the Museum building. This year’s attendees included Canton Mayor Bill Sherer, State Rep. Scott Oelslager, and a general sent on behalf of the current President of the United States. Other dignitaries include Civil War reenactors, the Army Navy Union, the Masons, and the State of Ohio.