20 Facts About Harry Meshel

Harry Meshel was an American Democratic politician.

Harry Meshel served as the president of the Ohio State Senate and chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party.

Harry Meshel was born in Youngstown, Ohio on June 13,1924, to Greek-American parents, Rubena and Angelo Michelakis, whose surname was Americanized to Meshel.

Harry Meshel served in the Naval Construction Battalion, or SeeBees, during the Second World War from 1943 to 1946.

Harry Meshel was awarded two Bronze Battle Stars for the battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944.

Harry Meshel earned a bachelor's degree in business from Youngstown College in 1949.

Harry Meshel received a master's degree in urban land economics from Columbia University in 1950.

Harry Meshel became an administrative assistant to Youngstown Mayor Anthony Flask in 1964, and served as urban renewal director in 1969.

Harry Meshel entered electoral politics in 1970, when he ran for a seat in the Ohio State Senate.

Harry Meshel became the Senate's majority whip and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

In 1980, Harry Meshel ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives but lost to Republican incumbent Lyle Williams.

That same year, the Democrats lost the majority in the state Senate and Harry Meshel replaced Oliver Ocasek, who had been president of the Ohio Senate, as the party's leader in the senate.

Harry Meshel worked to create the Northeastern Universities College of Medicine, the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Ohio University, the Wright State University School of Professional psychology, and other programs.

Harry Meshel helped create the Ohio Boxing Commission, which eventually became the Ohio Athletic Commission.

From 1994, Harry Meshel was a supervisor for the International Boxing Council.

In 1993, Harry Meshel resigned from the Ohio Senate to become chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, a position he held until 1995.

Harry Meshel was honored for spearheading the creation of the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in September 2007.

Harry Meshel has a street, "Harry Meshel Way" named after him in Struthers, Ohio.

Harry Meshel married the former Judy Lazich on July 25,1948.

Harry Meshel was a member of the Greek Orthodox Church.