I think being a politician's wife is the toughest job in the world. They are asked to bear all the same scrutiny and put in much of the same work as a candidate, and all for a title they will not own and job they did not seek. And if in the end their husband wins, the wife's reward is to be forced to share him with 55,000 constituents demanding his time and attention. My wife Valerie has stood by my side since I started chasing my political dreams, and I'm pleased to have her by my side to share this special day with me.
I want to also recognize my sons Ryan and Brett. They are my reality check and make life worth living. I know they're as proud of me as I am of them. And they are a constant reminder that nothing that ever happens in the statehouse will ever be more important than what happens at our house. Speaker of the Assembly is a nice title, but it doesn't hold a candle to the title of being Ryan and Brett's dad. I love my boys.
My Mom, who since I was 6 years old has been telling anyone who would listen that I was going to be President someday, and my dad who, since I could remember has been proud of even my smallest accomplishments. I would never have done any of them without your love and faith in me. My dad has the flu and is unable to attend, but I'm proud to have my mom here today.
My oldest friend, the one who has been there the longest is my sister, Wendy. Her husband and their family are also here from Illinois. Wendy, Andy, Meghan and Hannah, thank you for being here today.
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My mother-in-law, Elinor is truly a rare woman. A mother-in-law who likes her son-in-law. And I feel the same.
I want to mention someone who isn't here today, but without whom I would not be standing here. 12 years ago, when the people of the 94th District first elected me, some of them were voting for Mike Huebsch. But I'm convinced that more of them were voting for Doc Johnston's son-in-law. Valerie's dad, and Elinor's husband Ken was an extraordinary man. He spent a lifetime as a vet, working farm to farm all throughout the Coulee Region. In that first election, Tommy Thompson's endorsement was nice to have, but it was Ken Johnston's seal of approval that got me elected. Ken went home to be with the Lord 6 years ago, and I miss him, but especially on a day like today.
Finally, I want to thank the people of the 94th District who for 7 terms now have given me the privilege to be their voice in this chamber.
This is a special day. And this is a special place. You've probably heard that before, and if you're here long enough to hear some of your colleagues' farewell speeches you'll hear that again. But it is true.
I believe the State Assembly is a snapshot of Wisconsin. Spend some time in the different communities around our great state and you will never be surprised by the person sitting in this chamber representing that area.
From downtown Milwaukee to outside Oconto. From way up by Bayfield and clear over to Prairie du Chien. Our hometown, our background, our political ideology may be as different as you can imagine.
But in the wisdom of the men who founded our state nearly 160 years ago, these extremely different people are all thrown together in this beautiful building and told to work out the common good of our great state.
That is as amazing and visionary an idea today as it was 160 years ago, that our state's strength will not be born out of some sameness of race, geography, gender, or background, but rather out of our diversity. It is through the interaction of those different traits that groundbreaking ideas arise.
Each of us was sent here to represent the ideas and interests of our constituents, yes. But we were not sent here to represent those ideas in a vacuum. We were sent here to represent them in the context of the needs of the entire state.
In this election, the people of the state saw fit to split control of the houses between Republicans and Democrats. But they did not tell us to grind to a halt. They expect us to lead, to govern. And together we will!
That's the power of this place. That's the magic of this place. Those one-on-one interactions, multiplied by all 99 of us here, all 33 of our colleagues in the Senate, and by our partner in the East Wing are the individual bricks with which our state's future will be built.
We've seen that power in action in the past, as Wisconsin leaders working together led the nation in everything from creating the nation's first Kindergarten in Watertown in 1856 to workman's compensation in 1911. In this chamber we invented School Choice and our welfare reform not only became the model for the nation, but the model for the world. Wisconsin has always been ready to meet challenges with innovative and unique ideas.
Today I am confident that we can see that power in action again as we work to confront the challenges of today: From reining in Wisconsin's high tax burden and runaway health care costs to attracting and creating new jobs and preparing a workforce ready to fill those jobs. From providing wings on which the strongest in our society can soar to providing compassionate arms on which the neediest in our society can lean.
I believe it is within our grasp to meet these challenges and solve these problems if we are willing to work together- individual by individual - to do so. Our system allows it. Our history demonstrates it. Our constituents demand it. It now falls to us to have the will to do it. What legacy will we leave as future generations look back on our brief time here?
President Ronald Reagan said "There is no limit to what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit."
When we, in this special place, use partisan or parochial battles to tear each other down, all the people of this state lose.
When we focus on our own personal, political fortunes rather than the collective good of the entire state, even what we may call "success" rings hollow in the ears of the individuals and families looking to us for real leadership.
I spoke earlier about an opportunity to make a difference. Let us resolve today to enthusiastically seize that opportunity, and conduct ourselves in such a way that two years from now, whether I'm still standing here or you're still sitting there, or whether we are home reflecting on a political career that was, we will all be able to look back with pride on the work we did here and say we made Wisconsin a better place.
Now let's get to work...together!
Thank you all very much."
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Election of Speaker Pro Tempore
Representative Honadel nominated Representative Gottlieb for the position of Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly for the Ninety-Eighth Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative J. Fitzgerald asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Representative Gottlieb for Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore. Granted.
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For Representative Gottlieb - Representatives Albers, Ballweg, Benedict, Berceau, Bies, Black, Boyle, Colon, Cullen, Davis, Fields, J. Fitzgerald, Friske, Garthwaite, Gottlieb, Grigsby, Gronemus, Gunderson, Gundrum, Hahn, Hilgenberg, Hines, Hintz, Hixson, Honadel, Hraychuck, Hubler, Jeskewitz, Jorgensen, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kessler, Kestell, Kleefisch, Kramer, Kreuser, Krusick, F. Lasee, LeMahieu, Lothian, Mason, Meyer, Molepske, Montgomery, Moulton, Mursau, Murtha, Musser, Nass, Nelson, Nerison, Newcomer, Nygren, A. Ott, J. Ott, Owens, Parisi, Petersen, Petrowski, Pocan, Pope-Roberts, Pridemore, Rhoades, Richards, Roth, Schneider, Seidel, Sheridan, Sherman, Shilling, Sinicki, Smith, Soletski, Staskunas, Steinbrink, Stone, Strachota, Suder, Tauchen, Toles, Townsend, Travis, Turner, Van Akkeren, Van Roy, Vos, Vruwink, Vukmir, Wasserman, A. Williams, M. Williams, Wood, Young, Zepnick, Ziegelbauer, Zipperer and Speaker Huebsch - 97.
Absent or not voting - Representatives Hebl and Wieckert - 2.
Representative Gottlieb was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly for the Ninety-Eighth Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representatives M. Williams and A. Ott escorted Representative Gottlieb to the rostrum.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Huebsch.
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Remarks by the
Speaker Pro Tempore
"Mr. Speaker, members, distinguished guests and visitors: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as speaker pro tempore for the 2007-2008 legislative session.
In the months to come, we will debate legislation that affects the lives of everyone in our state. As your speaker pro tempore, it will often be my responsibility to preside over those debates. I promise to do so fairly, in accordance with our rules and precedents, and always mindful of the respect due to each of you, on both sides of the aisle, as the elected representatives of the citizens of Wisconsin.
From time to time our debates may become passionate and even acrimonious. But if each of us resolves to act in a spirit of good decorum and collegiality, we will enhance the reputation of the Assembly as an institution, and earn the respect of the people we are privileged to represent.
In the last 12 years, the Assembly has had four speakers, three majority leaders, four minority leaders, but only one speaker pro tempore, former representative Steve Freese. I'm afraid that I can't claim to have Steve's institutional knowledge, his imposing physical presence, or his booming baritone voice. But I will try to keep the body running with the same calm professionalism that we came to expect when Steve was in the chair.
None of us would be able to serve here without the support of our families, so I'd like to recognize three members of my family who were able to be here today, my wife Linda and two of our four children: Sarah and Christopher.
Thank you again, and I look forward to serving with each of you in the upcoming session."
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Election of Chief Clerk
Representative Kaufert nominated Patrick E. Fuller for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the Ninety-Eighth Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Kreuser seconded the nomination of Patrick E. Fuller for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the Ninety-Eighth Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the Speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative J. Fitzgerald asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Patrick E. Fuller for Assembly Chief Clerk. Granted.
For Patrick E. Fuller - Representatives Albers, Ballweg, Benedict, Berceau, Bies, Black, Boyle, Colon, Cullen, Davis, Fields, J. Fitzgerald, Friske, Garthwaite, Gottlieb, Grigsby, Gronemus, Gunderson, Gundrum, Hahn, Hilgenberg, Hines, Hintz, Hixson, Honadel, Hraychuck, Hubler, Jeskewitz, Jorgensen, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kessler, Kestell, Kleefisch, Kramer, Kreuser, Krusick, F. Lasee, LeMahieu, Lothian, Mason, Meyer, Molepske, Montgomery, Moulton, Mursau, Murtha, Musser, Nass, Nelson, Nerison, Newcomer, Nygren, A. Ott, J. Ott, Owens, Parisi, Petersen, Petrowski, Pocan, Pope-Roberts, Pridemore, Rhoades, Richards, Roth, Schneider, Seidel, Sheridan, Sherman, Shilling, Sinicki, Smith, Soletski, Staskunas, Steinbrink, Stone, Strachota, Suder, Tauchen, Toles, Townsend, Travis, Turner, Van Akkeren, Van Roy, Vos, Vruwink, Vukmir, Wasserman, A. Williams, M. Williams, Wood, Young, Zepnick, Ziegelbauer, Zipperer and Speaker Huebsch - 97.
Absent or not voting - Representatives Hebl and Wieckert - 2.
Patrick E. Fuller was elected Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the Ninety-Eighth Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Huebsch.
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Election of Sergeant-at-Arms
Representative Petrowski nominated Richard Skindrud for the position of Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly for the Ninety-Eighth Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Gronemus seconded the nomination of Richard Skindrud for the position of Sergeant-At-Arms of the Assembly for the Ninety-Eighth Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the Speaker declared nominations closed.
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Representative J. Fitzgerald asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Richard Skindrud for Assembly Sergeant-At-Arms. Granted.
For Richard Skinrud - Representatives Albers, Ballweg, Benedict, Berceau, Bies, Black, Boyle, Colon, Cullen, Davis, Fields, J. Fitzgerald, Friske, Garthwaite, Gottlieb, Grigsby, Gronemus, Gunderson, Gundrum, Hahn, Hilgenberg, Hines, Hintz, Hixson, Honadel, Hraychuck, Hubler, Jeskewitz, Jorgensen, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kessler, Kestell, Kleefisch, Kramer, Kreuser, Krusick, F. Lasee, LeMahieu, Lothian, Mason, Meyer, Molepske, Montgomery, Moulton, Mursau, Murtha, Musser, Nass, Nelson, Nerison, Newcomer, Nygren, A. Ott, J. Ott, Owens, Parisi, Petersen, Petrowski, Pocan, Pope-Roberts, Pridemore, Rhoades, Richards, Roth, Schneider, Seidel, Sheridan, Sherman, Shilling, Sinicki, Smith, Soletski, Staskunas, Steinbrink, Stone, Strachota, Suder, Tauchen, Toles, Townsend, Travis, Turner, Van Akkeren, Van Roy, Vos, Vruwink, Vukmir, Wasserman, A. Williams, M. Williams, Wood, Young, Zepnick, Ziegelbauer, Zipperer and Speaker Huebsch - 97.
Absent or not voting - Representatives Hebl and Wieckert - 2.
Richard Skindrud was elected Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly for the Ninety-Eighth Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Huebsch.
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Sergeant-at-Arms' Announcement
Richard Skindrud announced that he has appointed Anne Tonnon Byers as Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly for the Ninety-Eighth Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Huebsch.
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Oath of Office
On Wednesday, December 27, 2006, the Honorable Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson of the Wisconsin Supreme Court administered the oath of office to Steve Wieckert of the 57th Assembly District in a ceremony held in the Supreme Court Chambers in Madison.
On Thursday, December 28, 2006, the Honorable Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson of the Wisconsin Supreme Court administered the oath of office to Gary Hebl of the 46th Assembly District in a ceremony held in the Assembly Chamber at the State Capitol in Madison.
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Communications
November 15, 2006
Mr. Patrick Fuller
Assembly Chief Clerk
Room 401, 17 West Main Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Fuller:
Pursuant to Assembly Rule
2 (2), the following officers have been duly elected by the Assembly Republican Caucus:
Majority Leader: Jeff Fitzgerald
Assistant Majority Leader: Mark Gundrum
Majority Caucus Chair: Mark Honadel
Majority Caucus Vice-Chair: Pat Strachota
Majority Caucus Secretary: Mary Williams
Majority Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms: Jerry Petrowski
Sincerely,
Mark Honadel
Republican Caucus Chair
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November 16, 2006
Mr. Patrick Fuller
Assembly Chief Clerk
Room 401, 17 West Main Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Fuller:
