The Sons of Confederate Veterans is the direct heir of the United Confederate Veterans, and the oldest hereditary organization for male descendent\'s of Confederate soldiers. Organized at Richmond, Virginia in 1896, the SCV continues to serve as a historical, patriotic, and non-political organization dedicated to ensuring that a true history of the 1861-1865 periods is preserved. The Ohio Division is one of many Divisions within the SCV. We take great pride in our Ohio roots, and history. It is very important that our Ohio history is kept alive for future generations. As Ohio residents and descendants of Confederate Veterans, we are dedicated to the preservation of the memory and legacy of our forefathers. These forefathers include 7 Confederate Generals that were Ohio Natives or Ohio residents during The War Between the States that fought for the South. In fact many young men from Ohio left their homes to fight for the Confederacy. Some did not come home; they made the ultimate sacrifice for their beliefs, the principle of a State to govern itself (States Rights). No matter what they stood for they were still Ohioans, and Americans. We believe that these Ohio Confederates should be recognized for their willingness to stand up for what they believed in, and for making the sacrifices needed to make us a stronger Country. We in The Ohio Division humbly request that you honor those Ohioans that made the supreme sacrifice by declaring; April 9th of each year to be observed as \"Confederate Memorial Day\" in the State of Ohio. This date is the day General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army to the Federal forces under General Ulysses Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia ensuring an end to the War Between the States, and binding our Country once again forever. Some may say that Memorial Day (last Monday in May) is set aside for all American Veterans. We do not agree. We have never seen a Confederate Flag carried in a parade by any Federal or State organization even though the Confederate Flag is considered to be an American Flag, I have never seen the VFW, American Legion, or any other organization give a grave side service for a Confederate Veteran. So how can someone say it is for ALL Americans, when not ALL Americans are recognized They were Confederates, they were Ohioans, and Americans, and deserve the same respect from their State, Country, and Government Officials as all other military Veterans. We the undersigned, request the Senators, and State Representatives from The State of Ohio to pass legislation for the observance of a permanent Confederate Memorial Day, designated as April 9th of each year.