1995 Assembly Joint Resolution 81
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of Ralph Hanson.
Whereas, Ralph Hanson was born on September 25, 1928, in Houlton, Maine, and died on January 21, 1996, in Austin, Texas; and
Whereas, Mr. Hanson was a member of the Maine State Police for 10 years and was Ground Safety Director for the U.S. air force at Truax Field for 3 years; and
Whereas, he became chief of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police in 1965 and served in that position until his retirement in 1991; and
Whereas, his tenure at the university included the Vietnam War years, the most turbulent time in the University's history; and
Whereas, the behavior of his force during those times was a model of rational policing and did much to minimize the damage that was done to persons and property; and
Whereas, largely due to Chief Hanson, the university was able to remain open, to allow for antiwar protests and to provide as much safety as turbulent conditions and high emotions allowed; and
Whereas, those achievements were made possible by Ralph Hanson's absolute neutrality, his patience, his calm and his genuine concern for and understanding of the persons with whom he dealt; now, therfore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the legislature of the state of Wisconsin state their gratitude for the many decades of service that Ralph Hanson gave to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, especially during his exemplary performance during "The War at Home"; express their sorrow at his death; and extend their condolences to his family and friends; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to Ralph Hanson's wife, Lucille, and to his children, Dorothy, Edward, Michael and George.
