On June 24, 2026, the Supreme Court of Ohio marked a moment nearly a century in the making. Guests, family, and dignitaries gathered at the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center in Columbus to celebrate the unveiling of a bronze bas-relief portrait recognizing the Honorable John A. Boehner, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015.

The ceremony carried special weight. Speaker Boehner's portrait is the first new installation added to the bas-relief collection in nearly 100 years, joining a select group of Ohio-connected leaders whose service shaped the nation.

A First in Nearly a Century
Since the building first opened in 1933 as the Ohio Departments Building, its Grand Concourse has displayed bas-reliefs honoring presidents, members of the U.S. Supreme Court, and speakers of the U.S. House from Ohio. No new honorees had been added in all the decades since.

That changed this week. With the dedication of Speaker Boehner's portrait, the Grand Concourse Hall of Honor expanded for the first time in generations, linking the state's storied past with its present.

Voices of Tribute
The Honorable Pat Tiberi served as Master of Ceremonies, greeting guests, family, and colleagues. Tiberi, who represented central Ohio for 17 years in the U.S. House, guided the afternoon's program with warmth and reflection.

Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy delivered the welcome remarks, framing the occasion within the building's enduring mission. She described the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center as a testament to Ohio's commitment to justice and public service, noting that Speaker Boehner's portrait found a fitting home among the building’s murals, inscriptions, and symbols.

"We continue this legacy. For the first time in almost 100 years, we add a new bronze portrait to the Grand Concourse: Yours, Mr. Speaker. I can think of no better way to honor America and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence," Chief Justice Kennedy said.

She added that the day celebrated more than legislative accomplishments: “For in those moments when the focus of the day was not on your own ascent but on the ascent of another, when you fought to make sure that others might achieve their American Dreams, we truly see one of the most meaningful legacies an elected leader can leave behind: having helped others to enjoy ‘Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’”

The Honorable Deborah Pryce added her own tribute. A former lawyer, judge, and eight-term member of Congress, Pryce made history as the first woman to chair the Republican Conference. Her remarks reminisced on years of shared service and the leadership that defined Speaker Boehner's tenure.

"Speaker Boehner didn't care who you were, what your name was, what letter was behind your name. If you were willing to work with him, he was willing to work with you for the good of the country he loved so much," Pryce said. 

Tiberi, who served alongside Speaker Boehner for 15 years, spoke to the lasting significance of the day and the place the portrait now holds in Ohio's history.

"The Supreme Court of Ohio is a place of permanence," Tiberi said. "So when we place this portrait inside this building, when we say in stone that this person matters to Ohio's history, we are not handing out a participation trophy. We are making a statement that will stand for generations. John Boehner belongs here."

Honoring a Legacy of Service
Speaker Boehner's story resonated throughout the ceremony. The son of a bar owner from Cincinnati and one of 12 siblings, he built an early career as a small-business owner before representing Ohio's 8th Congressional District for nearly 25 years. He rose to become Speaker of the U.S. House, leading with a focus on government reform, fiscal discipline, and private-sector job growth.

In his own remarks, Speaker Boehner reflected on the journey that brought him from Cincinnati to the highest levels of national leadership. His words captured the gratitude that has marked his public life:

"I could never in my wildest dreams have imagined my picture would be up on a wall with Nicholas Longworth, Ulysses Grant, and other great Ohioans who had the chance to serve our country at the highest levels," Speaker Boehner said. "It might be my face out there on that wall, but it's the people in this room that helped put it there. This really is the greatest country in the world. America gave me that chance, and I can tell you I'm very grateful for it. God bless the state of Ohio and God bless the United States of America."

The Unveiling
Following the formal program and a benediction by Father Michael Hartge, guests moved to the Grand Concourse for the unveiling. There, Speaker Boehner revealed the bronze portrait that will stand among Ohio's most distinguished leaders for generations to come.

Supreme Court Administrative Director Robert W. Horner III then presented Speaker Boehner with a framed American flag, flown that very morning at the Court in his honor.

A Milestone
The afternoon concluded with a reception in the Native American Lobby, where attendees gathered to celebrate Speaker Boehner and his family.

The timing of the dedication added further meaning. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the America 250 milestone, the ceremony offered a reminder of the public servants who have shaped the U.S. republic. Speaker Boehner's portrait now stands as a lasting symbol of perseverance, integrity, and dedication to service, inspiring all who walk the halls of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.