Title
To congratulate Judge Jodi Thomas as the 2022 Community Leadership Award recipient.
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WHEREAS, The George Meany Awards Banquet, the largest labor recognition of its kind in the country is a night for the Central Ohio AFL-CIO and the United Way Community Services Department to recognize local business and labor leaders who have given outstanding volunteer service to the community; and
WHEREAS, The George Meany Awards, named after the late George Meany, former President of the national AFL-CIO, are presented by the Central Ohio AFL-CIO to a labor person for outstanding leadership and support of health, welfare and recreation services to the Central Ohio Community; and
WHEREAS, Judge Jodi Thomas has served on the Franklin County Municipal Court bench since her appointment by Governor John Kasich in April of 2016. Judge Thomas won re-elections in both 2017 and 2019. Prior to her appointment, Judge Thomas served as an attorney at the Franklin County Public Defender's Office Municipal Division for 14 years; and
WHEREAS, Judge Thomas is currently the presiding judge over the h.a.r.t. Program (Healing Achieve Recovery Together), which is the opiate specific drug court, and CATCH Court, which is the human trafficking survivor docket; and
WHEREAS, Judge Thomas has been recognized for her work helping veterans, those suffering from mental health issues and drug addiction, and survivors of human trafficking with honors such as ADAMH Attorney of the Year in Mental Health Court, Excellent Service Award Alcohol and Drug Addiction Program, Rise to the Challenge Award Military and Veterans Service Program, ADAMH Attorney of the Year Opiate Extension Program/Alcohol and Drug Addiction Program, and Model of Justice Award from the Justice League of Ohio. She is undoubtedly passionate about serving the citizens of Franklin County with respect and dignity; and
WHEREAS, She is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree and license in social work. Judge Thomas received her Juris Doctorate in May of 2001 from Capital University Law School. She was also inducted into the Gahanna Lincoln High School Alumni Hall of Fame; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That we hereby congratulate Judge Jodi Thomas as the 2022 Community Leadership Award recipient.