2003 Assembly Joint Resolution 67
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of Marcia P. Coggs.
Whereas, Marcia P. Coggs was born on April 5, 1928, in Kansas City, Kansas, and died on December 9, 2003, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and
Whereas, she married Isaac Newton Coggs in 1952, who preceded her in death in 1973; and
Whereas, Mrs. Coggs was first elected to the Wisconsin assembly in 1976, serving in the 1977 through 1991 sessions; and
Whereas, she followed in the footsteps of her husband, who was one of the first African-Americans elected to the Wisconsin legislature (serving 12 years in the assembly); and
Whereas, Mrs. Coggs was the first black woman elected to the Wisconsin legislature; and
Whereas, during her tenure in the legislature, Mrs. Coggs was a member on the joint committee on finance; and
Whereas, she took great pride in initiating a bill to limit the tenure of the City of Milwaukee police and fire chiefs; and
Whereas, she also introduced bills to allow nonvoters to file complaints against police and to permit juveniles to make restitution instead of going to jail; and
Whereas, she introduced legislation focused on civil rights, including protesting apartheid in South Africa and calling for divestiture of state funds in that country; and
Whereas, she believed perseverance in addressing injustices such as apartheid would bring change; and
Whereas, she declared, "It takes the black and white keys of the piano to play `The Star-Spangled Banner' .... You can't do it with all white or all black"; and
Whereas, by the end of her tenure in the legislature, she was called the "Conscience of the State of Wisconsin"; and
Whereas, she will be remembered as being "small in physical stature, but a giant in terms of her impact"; and
Whereas, over the years, she received many honors, including being named Queen Mother of the African World Festival in 2001; and
Whereas, she was the matriarch of her family and she was also the matriarch of a political legacy; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend the devoted public service that Marcia P. Coggs contributed to this state and her community, express their sorrow at her death, and extend their condolences to her family and friends; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to Mrs. Coggs' daughter, Milwaukee County Supervisor Elizabeth Coggs-Jones, and her nephews, State Senator Spencer Coggs, State Representative Leon D. Young, Harold C. Young III, and Eric Young.
