Ohio lawmakers approve resolution to honor Sen. John Glenn and his widow

A proposal aimed at getting late astronaut John Glenn and his wife, Annie, a congressional medal has cleared its first major legislative hurdle in their home state of Ohio.

The state House unanimously approved a resolution on Wednesday urging Congress to recognize Glenn and his widow with a Congressional Gold Medal.

The resolution says the honor is justified because the Glenns inspired a generation of Americans, gave back to the country through public service and "made our nation a better place."

John Glenn died in 2016 at age 95. He was the first American to orbit Earth, a longtime Democratic U.S. senator and founder of a public affairs college at Ohio State University.

Annie Glenn, 98, overcame a debilitating stutter to become a leading advocate for Americans with communicative disorders.