2021 Senate Joint Resolution 14
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: honoring the life and service of Alfred J. “Cy” Tector, Jr., and commemorating his many accomplishments.
Whereas, Dr. Tector was born on May 29, 1934, in Utica, New York, to Alfred and Mariea Tector and passed away on December 3, 2020; and
Whereas, Dr. Tector is survived by his wife, Joy Kelly, and children, Joe, Matt, Leslie, and Kelly, as well his 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, to all of whom he was incredibly devoted; and
Whereas, Dr. Tector began his career in medicine in the medical corps of the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War; and
Whereas, Dr. Tector then graduated from Utica College, attended the St. Louis University School of Medicine, completed his residency at the University of Iowa, and moved to Milwaukee to pursue a career in heart surgery, a practice still in its infancy; and
Whereas, Dr. Tector dedicated his life to serving others, particularly through his commendable career as a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon at St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee, where he worked for more than 37 years, including as Director of the Heart Transplant Program; and
Whereas, over the course of his career, Dr. Tector transformed cardiac care, performing more than 14,000 open-heart operations, and earned recognition for inventions, innovations, and research that not only saved lives but also contributed to significant advancements in medicine and medical education; and
Whereas, under Dr. Tector's leadership, St. Luke's ranked as one of the best hospitals nationwide for volume of adult heart transplants and as the best hospital for one-year survival rates, for which the Wisconsin Historical Society awarded him the Rosa Minoka Hill Award for Distinction in Medicine in 2008; and
Whereas, Dr. Tector had a profound and inspiring impact on all who knew him and described him as caring, generous, unselfish, genuine, humble, and loyal; and
Whereas, Dr. Tector's example and his contributions to the practice of medicine both in Wisconsin and worldwide will continue to inspire and save lives for years to come; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the
senate, the assembly concurring, That the legislature commends the life, accomplishments, and enduring contributions of Dr. Alfred J. Tector.
