In the last election, Wisconsin voters embraced change and history when they supported a charismatic man whose father was from Kenya, his mother was from Kansas and he was raised by his grandparents in Hawaii. That man is President-elect Barack Obama.
The voters said they want change. They want a new direction to deal with the problems we face today.
We need to think. We need to be creative. We need to change.
That is how we will move Wisconsin forward.
So welcome to a new year and a new session."
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Pursuant to Senate Rule
2 (1), Senate President Pro Tempore Carpenter in the chair.
With unanimous consent, the party leaders introduced their respective members as they came before the bar to be sworn in.
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Cowles
"Senator Cowles was first elected to the State Senate in an April, 1987 special election and has been re-elected every four years since. Prior to his election to the Senate, Rob served in the State Assembly from 1983-1987.
Senator Cowles has gained a reputation for being a vigilant watchdog against higher state spending. Rob has been an outspoken opponent of irresponsible state budgeting that has led to the poor fiscal conditions in which we now find our state.
As a past and current member of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, Senator Cowles routinely request audits on state programs in an effort to find efficiencies and save taxpayer dollars. Audits of state programs conducted at Rob's request, such as the state's Information Technology projects and car fleet, have resulted in tens of millions of dollars in savings to taxpayers.
Senator Cowles is also known as a strong defender of our environment. Balancing sound environmental protection with the need to create and maintain quality jobs in our state, the Senator has guided responsible environmental and business policy for Wisconsin. Rob is particularly proud of his work with a bipartisan group of legislators to ensure passage of the Great Lakes Compact in the last session, as well as his work on a comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy bill that was designed to provide long-term economic and environmental benefits to the state."
Senator Decker Introduced Senator Taylor
"The Senator from the 4th is entering her second term in the State Senate. She has come to our house after serving a term in the Assembly.
The 4th District stretches from Milwaukee's Riverwest community to the Northwest corner of the city and also includes wards in Glendale and Wauwatosa. This diverse and dynamic district is an invigorated, redeveloping and integrating community and includes some the great sections of old Milwaukee, like the Rufus King Neighborhood, where this Senator hails from.
Her district has elected to return a leader in the matters of justice. This senator serves in distinction for her work on the justice system and the rights of all people. She is a passionate voice for the people of her district and her community.
Senator Taylor is joined by her son Isaiah, and her parents, Wilbert and Lena J Taylor. Please stand and be recognized.
Ladies and gentlemen, Senator Lena C Taylor."
Senator Decker Introduced Senator Coggs
"The Senator from the 6th is beginning his 3rd term in the state Senate and his 26th year of service as a Wisconsin Legislator. He has previously served as a City of Milwaukee Health Inspector and Chief Steward of AFSCME Local 1091.
He is best known for his work on health care issues through enactment of his lead poisoning prevention programs that have saved the lives of countless Wisconsin children, and as Chairman of the Board of Milwaukee Health Services, Incorporated. He is also known for his work on criminal justice issues through his service as Chairman of the Governor's Commission on Reducing Racial Disparities in Wisconsin's Criminal Justice System.
He is a lifelong resident of the city of Milwaukee, having earned degrees from Riverside University High School, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. He and his wife Gershia are the proud parents of two children, Kijana Coggs and Mariama Coggs-Linares.
Joining Senator Coggs today is his wife Gershia. Please stand and be recognized.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Senator Spencer Coggs."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Darling
"Senator Alberta Darling was elected to the State Senate in 1992 after previously serving in the State Assembly. The 8th Senate District includes portions of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee Counties.
A former teacher, Senator Darling entered public service with a commitment to protecting, educating and improving the lives of children. She has been a champion for reform efforts that expand educational opportunities for Wisconsin students and has authored landmark legislation for protecting children and families, including the Sexual Predator Law, the Sex Offender Registry and the Internet Predator Law.
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Senator Darling is a member and former co-chair of the Joint Committee on Finance and has served on a variety of committees, including Health, Education and Economic Development.
Senator Darling has been married to Dr. William Darling for over 40 years. They are the parents of two children, Liza and Will, and proud grandparents of grandson Charlie and Granddaughter Andie.
Joining Senator Darling today is her husband, Dr. Bill Darling."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Hardorf
"Senator Sheila Harsdorf is beginning her third term representing the 10th Senate District. She will be the longest serving senator from that district since former Governor Robert Knowles.
Senator Harsdorf's roots are in dairy farming. Her parents, Ervin and Eloise, brought the Harsdorf Family to western Wisconsin to make a better life in farming nearly four decades ago.
Seeing how our everyday lives are affected by public policy, particularly the lives of those working on farms, Senator Harsdorf got involved in public service. She was first elected to the State Assembly in 1988, serving 10 years there before being elected to the State Senate in 2000.
Today, Senator Harsdorf and her teenage son, Ryan, live in River Falls Township. Senator Harsdorf is an important leader on agricultural and higher education issues. Senator Harsdorf is also a strong advocate for western Wisconsin, leading the way on the Crackdown on Meth Act.
Joining Senator Harsdorf today is her son, Ryan Bailey, along with Naomi Magner, Casie Kelley, and Jan Jablonski who provided instrumental help with her re-election."
Senator Decker Introduced Senator Holperin
"The Senator from the 12th District is starting his first term in the Senate today, but he is not new to the State Capitol. Many of you know that he previously represented one of the Assembly Districts of this senate seat. But this is not Jim's first leg of legislative service in the Senate. He was appointed Assistant Chief Clerk of the State Senate in 1977.
Now he is representing the largest geographical Senate district, and Jim knows it well. He was born and raised in the district and has continued to live in the area through stints as the State Tourism Secretary and as Executive Director of Trees for Tomorrow.
Jim and his wife Kathy have two sons, Christopher and Andrew. The Holperins also own and operate Grandma's Toy Box, a retail toy store in downtown Eagle River.
Jim is joined today by his wife, Cathy, his nephew, Dan, and his many friends and supporters who made the long drive from the northwoods to be here with him.
Please help me welcome Jim back to the State Capitol. Ladies and Gentlemen, Senator Jim Holperin."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Olsen
"Senator Luther Olsen was first elected to the State Senate in 2004 after serving in the State Assembly for 10 years. He was born in Berlin, WI, graduated from Berlin High School, and has been a lifelong resident of the 14th Senate District.
Senator Olsen has been a leader in education. He served on the Berlin School Board for 20 years, 9 of them as President, and spent more than a decade chairing the Assembly and Senate Education Committees. Senator Olsen has been at the forefront of Virtual Education and is a member of numerous national boards having recently served as Vice-Chair of the Education Commission of the States.
Senator Olsen also serves as a member of the Wisconsin Education Communications Board and the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board. In addition, he is on the Board of Directors of Manitowoc Mutual and serves as a finance committee member of the Wisconsin Hospital Clinics and Authority Board.
Senator Olsen is probably best known for the Graduated Driver's License legislation he authored a law aimed at improving the way teenagers learn to drive.
Joining Senator Olsen today are his wife Joan and his stepdaughter Mykayla."
Senator Decker Introduced Senator Miller
"The Senator from the 16th begins his second term today. He served six years in the state Assembly and four years on the Dane County Board.
This senator is a former small businessman and also served 30 years with the Wisconsin Air National Guard, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. For 20 years he was a fighter pilot, flying A-10s - The Tank Killer. Flying these combat jets should prepare him well for the upcoming session as he Co-Chairs the Joint Committee on Finance.
He will also chair the Senate Committee on Environment. Last Session, the senator shepherded through the legislature landmark legislation ratifying the Great Lakes Compact, thus protecting this grand and precious resource in perpetuity.
The Senator and his wife Jo, just recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. They have two daughters and son and two grandchildren.
With us today is Jo Miller, and Mark's mother, Former State Representative Midge Miller, his brother Randy and his niece Christine.
Ladies and gentlemen, Senator Mark Miller."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Hopper
"Senator Randy Hopper is beginning is first term representing the 18th Senate District. The 18th District includes the cities of Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, and Waupun as well as Southern Winnebago County and most of Fond du Lac County.
Senator Hopper grew up in Taylorville, Illinois and graduated from Denison University in Ohio. Senator Hopper also earned a masters degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
For more than 17 years, Senator Hopper has been creating jobs in his community as the owner of a family of small market radio stations including KFIZ, WFON and WCLB. Senator Hopper is also a founding partner of Tall Corn Music, an independent record label and artist management company.
Joining Senator Hopper today are his wife of 12 years, Alysia, their two children, Christopher and Isabella; his parents, Bill and Marilyn Hopper, Alysia's parents, Jim and Bettina Faulkner, and his sister, Stephanie Denby."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Grothman
"Senator Glenn Grothman is beginning his second term representing the 20th Senate District which includes portions of Washington, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac and Dodge Counties. The 20th is a diverse district that extends from suburban communities in the south to conservative rural areas in the north.
Senator Grothman followed his father Harold's footsteps by graduating with an undergraduate degree from UW-Madison and a law degree from the UW Law School. He served as an attorney in West Bend for 11 years before winning special election to the State Assembly in 1993.
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After 11 years in the State Assembly, Senator Grothman was elected to the State Senate in 2004. Senator Grothman is recognized as a fiscal and policy watchdog on tax, business, parental rights and pro-life issues. He is also known for working across the aisle for common sense legislation.
In addition, Senator Grothman was honored by his Republican colleagues by being elected Assistant Majority Leader for the upcoming session.
Joining Senator Grothman today are his parents, Harold and Joan Grothman."
Senator Decker Introduced Senator Wirch
"For over 22 years Bob Wirch has focused on grass roots politics--meeting with people at spaghetti dinners and pancake breakfasts, going door-to-door to hear first hand the concerns his constituents have so that he can best represent them here in Madison.
That's why he knows his district so well and why they have sent him back here today for his 4th term in the State Senate.
Bob has spent much of his time in the legislature fighting for working people and they all know they can count on him to stand up for their rights.
Senator Wirch is joined today by his wife Mary, his sister Pat and her husband David Singer, his sister Laurie and his nieces Holly and Lynsey.
Ladies and gentlemen, Senator Bob Wirch."
Senator Decker Introduced Senator Lassa
"Senator Julie Lassa has been reelected to her second full term representing the 24th District in Central Wisconsin. She was first elected to the Senate in 2003, after serving two terms in the Assembly. As chair of the Committee on Economic Development, Senator Lassa will continue to seek creative and innovative ways to create new jobs and foster economic growth in these challenging times.
She is joined today by her parents, Jo and Jerry Lassa, her daughters, Taylor and Madison, and her husband John Moe. Please stand and be recognized.
Ladies and gentlemen, State Senator Julie Lassa."
Senator Decker Introduced Senator Risser
"Senator Risser represents the 26th Senate District. The district includes most of the City of Madison, parts of the cities of Middleton and Fitchburg, as well as the villages of Shorewood Hills and Maple Bluff. He was first elected to the State Assembly in 1956, then to the State Senate in 1962. Senator Risser is currently the longest serving state legislator in the United States. His vast institutional knowledge is invaluable to members from both sides of the aisle, as he has witnessed ebbs and flows of the Legislature for over a half century.
During his tenure, Senator Risser has been an outspoken advocate for the University of Wisconsin System, greater access to healthcare for all, reproductive rights, and protecting the environment for generations to come. As presiding officer of the Senate, Senator Risser stands out as a master of the rules and procedure of the body. He is the senior member of the State of Wisconsin Building Commission, Co-Chair of the Joint Legislative Council, and Chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics Reform and Government Operations.
Senator Risser is joined today by his wife, Nancy; his children, Lisa, Sara and Warner and their families; as well as other special friends.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Senator Fred Risser."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Lazich
"Senator Mary Lazich is beginning her third full term in the State Senate after first being elected in a special election in 1998. Senator Lazich served on the New Berlin City Council and the Waukesha County Board before answering the call to serve in the State Assembly in 1992.
The 28th District is made up of parts of Waukesha, Walworth, Racine and Milwaukee Counties. It is a diverse part of our state running the gamut from urban communities to bountiful farm land.
Senator Lazich has served in leadership positions in the Senate as both Majority Caucus Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Finance.
Senator Lazich is known as a leading voice on fiscal responsibility and protecting Wisconsin's children and families against sexual predators.
Senator Lazich and her husband Glen both continue to live in New Berlin where they raised their three adult children.
