2001 Assembly Resolution 43
ENGROSSED RESOLUTION
Relating to: honoring the life and achievements of Jesselyn Marie Karbon and the efforts of her mother, Rosemarie Rose.
Whereas, Jesselyn Marie Karbon was born on August 19, 1973, to Ronald A. Karbon and Rosemarie A. (Sieminski) Rose; and
Whereas, Jesselyn Marie Karbon was a student at Peshtigo High School, where she was a student tutor, always a member of the honor roll, a nursing home volunteer, and a class officer; and
Whereas, Jesselyn Marie Karbon participated and excelled in high school activities such as band, basketball, cheerleading, chorus, track, and volleyball; and
Whereas, Jesselyn Marie Karbon was a foreign exchange student, spending her junior year studying in Villenuve Dascq', France; and
Whereas, Jesselyn Marie Karbon's precious life was cut tragically short on July 19, 1990, when, at the age of 16 and only days after returning home from her year in France, the vehicle she was traveling in was hit by a drunk driver, placing her in a vegetative state for the past 11 years; and
Whereas, 4 months following the crash, Jesselyn Marie Karbon was admitted into Rennes Nursing Home in Peshtigo, the same nursing home at which she volunteered earlier in high school; and
Whereas, Jesselyn's mother, Rosemarie Rose, first became involved with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at a candlelight vigil for victims at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus in December 1992; and
Whereas, over the years, Rosemarie Rose has become the president of the Brown/Marinette County chapter of MADD and has also risen to the position of state chair for the awareness and prevention organization; and
Whereas, Rosemarie Rose has participated in training workshops and conventions around the country and internationally, including the Lifesaver Conference in Colorado and the National Organization of Victims Assistance (NOVA) in Canada; and
Whereas, Rosemarie Rose has spoken freely about her daughter and her family's trauma, including addressing victim-impact panels and speaking to Wisconsin high schools and driving schools; and
Whereas, Rosemarie Rose was presented the Golden Achievement award from MADD, the highest award that the organization bestows, for her leadership and efforts on behalf of awareness and prevention; and
Whereas, on Sunday, October 14, 2001, Jesselyn Marie Karbon passed away in her mother's arms, bringing to an end the life of caring and love, but hopefully saving the lives of countless others through the awareness of the dangers of drunk driving; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, That the members of the Wisconsin assembly hereby recognize the short but beloved life of Jesselyn Marie Karbon whose life has touched so many; and, be it further
Resolved, That the members of the Wisconsin assembly hereby recognize the efforts of Rosemarie Rose, for the unwavering love provided to her daughter and the leadership and determination that she has demonstrated in tirelessly teaching others the perils of drunk driving through Jesselyn's story; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this resolution to Rosemarie Rose of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, to the Wisconsin State Office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and to the National Office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
