The Ohio Senate unanimously passed a bill to designate a portion of state Route 7 (Market Street) as the Clarence “Sonny” Smith Jr. Memorial Highway.

The section would be between Washington Boulevard and Western Reserve Road in Boardman.

The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield. It now heads to the Ohio House for consideration.

Smith, who died in 2021 at the age of 92, was the former Mahoning County Republican Party chairman and a businessman who donated a large gem collection to Youngstown State University.

“Sonny Smith poured out his heart and soul to the Mahoning Valley,” Cutrona said. “His philanthropy across the community, especially to Youngstown State and Boardman Township, affected the lives of countless Ohioans. This bill recognizes a great citizen for the Youngstown community.”