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'''George Victor Voinovich''' (born July 15, 1936) is the former [[United States]] [[Senator]] from [[Ohio]] and a member of the [[Republican Party]]. Voinovich announced he would retire from the Senate when his term expired in January 2011. Previously he served as [[Mayor]] of [[Cleveland]] from  1980-1989 and [[Governor]] of [[Ohio]] from 1991-1999. Voinovich was widely credited for sparking an economic revival in Cleveland when he was mayor. In the Senate he had a reputation as a moderate Republican.

'''George Victor Voinovich''' (born July 15, 1936) is the former [[United States]] [[Senator]] from [[Ohio]] and a member of the [[Republican Party]]. Voinovich announced he would retire from the Senate when his term expired in January 2011. Previously he served as [[Mayor]] of [[Cleveland]] from  1980-1989 and [[Governor]] of [[Ohio]] from 1991-1999. Voinovich was widely credited for sparking an economic revival in Cleveland when he was mayor. In the Senate he had a reputation as a moderate Republican.

==Early Life==

==Early life==

George Voinovich was born in Cleveland, Ohio to a [[Serbia]]n father and [[Slovene]] mother. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in government from [[Ohio University]] in 1958 and a law degree from [[Ohio State University]] in 1961. After serving as Ohio Assistant Attorney General, Voinovich served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1967 to 1971. He introduced 85 bills which became law.<ref>http://www.library.ohiou.edu/archives/voinovich/index.html</ref> Voinovich unsuccessfully ran for Mayor of Cleveland in 1975. However, was elected in a second attempt in 1979, defeating [[Democrat]] [[Dennis Kucinich]].

George Voinovich was born in Cleveland, Ohio to a [[Serbia]]n father and [[Slovene]] mother. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in government from [[Ohio University]] in 1958 and a law degree from [[Ohio State University]] in 1961. After serving as Ohio Assistant Attorney General, Voinovich served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1967 to 1971. He introduced 85 bills which became law.<ref>http://www.library.ohiou.edu/archives/voinovich/index.html</ref> Voinovich unsuccessfully ran for Mayor of Cleveland in 1975. However, was elected in a second attempt in 1979, defeating [[Democrat]] [[Dennis Kucinich]].

==Political Career==

==Political career==

When taking office, Cleveland was the first major city to declare [[bankruptcy]] since the [[Great Depression]] and the city was on the edge of financial ruin. Despite the city having eight times as many registered democrats as republicans. The election was a difficult one for Voinovich as his daughter was hit by a car and killed shortly before the election. Voinovich overcame this personal tragedy to win the election by a comfortable margin over [[Dennis Kucinich]]. As Mayor, Voinovich approved a referendum to extend the terms for Mayor and City Council from two years to four, and reduced the number of council members from 33 to 21. He managed the revival the city's [[economy]] and became the longest serving Mayor of Cleveland in history. One major success of his tenure was the restoration of the Playhouse Square theaters, three of which, the State, the Ohio, and the Palace, reopened while he was mayor. He was instrumental in getting the project to completion, and today the theaters are one of the biggest economic engines in the city. He also spurred new construction in the city, most notably when Standard Oil of Ohio (now BP America) built their 45-floor headquarters building on Public Square (the building is the headquarters of Huntington Bank). Cleveland was also selected as the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while Voinovich was mayor, although the museum on the Cleveland lakefront did not open until the 1990s, after he left the mayorship. The National Journal called Voinovich "one of five local and state officials who make a difference in Washington." Today, Voinovich remains a fondly remembered figure in the Cleveland area.

When taking office, Cleveland was the first major city to declare [[bankruptcy]] since the [[Great Depression]] and the city was on the edge of financial ruin. Despite the city having eight times as many registered democrats as republicans. The election was a difficult one for Voinovich as his daughter was hit by a car and killed shortly before the election. Voinovich overcame this personal tragedy to win the election by a comfortable margin over [[Dennis Kucinich]]. As Mayor, Voinovich approved a referendum to extend the terms for Mayor and City Council from two years to four, and reduced the number of council members from 33 to 21. He managed the revival the city's [[economy]] and became the longest serving Mayor of Cleveland in history. One major success of his tenure was the restoration of the Playhouse Square theaters, three of which, the State, the Ohio, and the Palace, reopened while he was mayor. He was instrumental in getting the project to completion, and today the theaters are one of the biggest economic engines in the city. He also spurred new construction in the city, most notably when Standard Oil of Ohio (now BP America) built their 45-floor headquarters building on Public Square (the building is the headquarters of Huntington Bank). Cleveland was also selected as the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while Voinovich was mayor, although the museum on the Cleveland lakefront did not open until the 1990s, after he left the mayorship. The National Journal called Voinovich "one of five local and state officials who make a difference in Washington." Today, Voinovich remains a fondly remembered figure in the Cleveland area.

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==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://voinovich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Home.Home Official Website]

*[http://voinovich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Home.Home Official Website]

*[http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/george_voinovich.htm Voinovich on the Issues]

*[http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/george_voinovich.htm Voinovich on the Issues]

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[[Category:Former United States Senators]]

[[Category:Former United States Senators]]