2005 Assembly Joint Resolution 33
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and service of George Watts.
Whereas, George Watts was born in Milwaukee in 1922 and died on Sunday, March 13, 2005, at his home in the town of Grafton, at the age of 82; and
Whereas, Mr. Watts attended Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, before joining the United States Marine Corps in 1942; and
Whereas, Mr. Watts served honorably in the early occupation of Japan following World War II and returned home in 1946 to work in the family business, George Watts and Sons, Inc., in Milwaukee; and
Whereas, Mr. Watts became a respected and established leader in the Milwaukee business community, giving job opportunities to those who were discriminated against; and
Whereas, he maintained his commitment to the city's downtown when other businesses were leaving and succeeded in the china and crystal business where others did not; and
Whereas, Mr. Watts always stood up for his personal political beliefs and was not afraid to speak out against wrongs despite the negative impact his positions had on his business; and
Whereas, Mr. Watts ran for several elected offices including a school board race in Ozaukee County and for governor of the state of Wisconsin; and
Whereas, even though he came in a strong 2nd to John O. Norquist in a race for mayor of the city of Milwaukee, he continued his commitment to the city and its people; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend the life of George Watts, whose heart and soul belonged to the city of Milwaukee, and whose legacy in business and politics will never be forgotten; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to Mr. Watt's wife, Martha, his sister, Lora Otjen, and his children Cherry Watts, Jennifer Block, Abigail Grissom, J.D. Watts, and Mark Watts, all of Milwaukee.
