Biography

  • Born Madison, Wisconsin, May 5, 1927; married; 3 children.
  • Attended Carleton College (Minnesota), University of Wisconsin–Madison; B.A. University of Oregon, 1950; LL.B. University of Oregon, 1952.
  • Attorney. World War II veteran; Navy.
  • Member: State Bar of Wisconsin and Oregon and Dane County Bar Associations; NCSL (past member National Executive Committee); CSG (past member National Executive Committee, Midwestern Conference chair 1993, 1982).
  • Presidential Elector 2012, 2008, 1964.
  • Elected to Assembly 1956–60. Elected to Senate in 1962 special election. Reelected since 1964. Longest serving legislator in Wisconsin history and longest serving state legislator in United States history. Leadership positions: president of the Senate 2011 (effective 7/17/12), 2009, 2007, 2001, 1999, 1997 (effective 1/15/97 to 4/20/98), 1995 (effective 7/9/96), also 1979 to 4/20/93; comajority leader 2001 (effective 10/22/02); assistant minority leader 1995 (effective 1/5/95 to 7/12/96), 1993 (effective 4/20/93, also 1965); Senate president pro tempore 1977, 1975; minority leader 1967–73.

Member of Educational Communications Board, Historical Society of Wisconsin, Board of Curators, State Capitol and Executive Residence Board and Uniform State Laws, Commission on

2017 Authored Proposals

(first or second author, first sponsor)

2017 Co-authored Proposals

2017 Cosponsored Proposals

2017 Authored Amendments

2017 Votes