1995 Senate Joint Resolution 37
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of John Plewa.
Whereas, John Plewa was born on September 22, 1945, in Milwaukee and died on September 13, 1995, in Wauwatosa; and
Whereas, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and was a teacher at Milwaukee Area Technical College; and
Whereas, he was first elected to the assembly in 1972 and was reelected 5 times; and
Whereas, in the assembly he served diligently on a number of committees and was the chairperson of the state affairs committee for 4 terms; and
Whereas, he was elected to the senate in November 1984 and had served in that body since that time; and
Whereas, during his tenure in the senate he was the cochairperson of the joint committee for review of administrative rules and the chairperson of the committee on housing, government operations and cultural affairs and of the committee on business, economic development and urban affairs; and
Whereas, Senator Plewa was known as a compassionate and caring legislator, for his willingness to work with his colleagues from both political parties and for his great respect for the legislative process, his colleagues, his constituents, his staff and all of those who were part of the legislature; and
Whereas, he was the driving force behind the passage of the landmark Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act; and
Whereas, John was also known for his efforts to promote awareness of Wisconsin's Polish heritage, such as the passage of annual resolutions that recognized Poland's first constitution; and
Whereas, he was a devoted husband and father, always remembering to put family first, taking a moment from busy schedules and the business of the day to acknowledge how important his family, extended family and friends were to him; and
Whereas, his life and public service were guided by his strong religious faith; and
Whereas, public service was John's life, he was admired for his excellence in constituent relations and his effectiveness and he always made time for his people; and
Whereas, he will always be remembered for his sense of humor, pleasant disposition and thoughtfulness despite having to suffer a very serious injury to his back and a long and courageous struggle with cancer; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the Assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature recognize John Plewa's dedicated public service over more than 2 decades, his courage and his genial personality; express their sorrow at his untimely death; and extend their condolences to his family, his friends and the constituents whom he served so loyally and well; and, be it further
Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to John Plewa's wife, Susan, and to his children, Andrew Plewa and Jeremy Plewa.
