Designee of the Chairperson
Government Accountability Board
__________________
With unanimous consent, the party leaders introduced their respective members as they came before the bar to be sworn in.
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Lasee
"State Senator Frank Lasee was elected on November 2nd to work for the people of the State and the 1st Senate District. Frank previously served the people of the 2nd Assembly District from 1994 to 2008. He also served as Chairman of the Town of Ledgeview from 1993 to 1997.
Senator Lasee will serve as the Chair of the Insurance and Housing Committee in the 2011-2012 session.
While in the Assembly, Senator Lasee earned a reputation as a Taxpayer Watch Dog and an outspoken fiscal conservative.
Senator Lasee resides in Ledgeview. He is joined today by his wife Amy Joy, four of their six children: Carina, Sophia, Daphne and Annika, Mother June Lasee, Father and Mother in-law Randy and Toni Savaglio, Grandmother Charlette Mullen, as well as other family and friends."
Senator Miller Introduced Senator Carpenter
"The Senator from the 3rd is honored that his constituents have elected him to his third term in the State Senate after serving them for 9 terms in the Assembly.
The 3rd Senate District includes the South Side of Milwaukee and a portion of Greenfield. For his entire life he has lived in Milwaukee, a city that his family has called home for over 60 years."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Vukmir
"Leah Vukmir has served in the Wisconsin Assembly since her election in 2002. Today she begins her first term in the State Senate representing the people of the 5th Senate District which includes of Elm Grove, West Allis, West Milwaukee, most of Wauwatosa and portions of Brookfield and Milwaukee.
Leah is a Registered Nurse and Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. In the Assembly, she has been a leader in healthcare and education policy and will continue to work on these issues in the Senate.
Leah is a lifelong resident of the district. Her children Elena and Nicholas, as well as her mom Stella Papachristou, are here today for her inauguration."
Senator Miller Introduced Senator Larson
"The newly elected Senator from the Seventh District represents areas on the eastern edge of Milwaukee County.
The 7th District embodies Wisconsin's greatest values and traditions, including: higher education with UW-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and Milwaukee School of Engineering; economic development with our nation's fastest growing airport; artistic expression with the Milwaukee Art Museum; natural resources with the county park system near Lake Michigan; and cultural diversity with ethnic festivals at the Summerfest Grounds.
Previously, Senator Larson served as a County Supervisor with the Milwaukee County Board. During this time, his major areas of interest included preserving county parks, improving public transportation, and increasing economic development around the airport. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in Finance. Senator Larson has experience as a business manager for a local running store and is a dedicated marathon runner.
He has run 18 marathons and his goal is to run a marathon in each state across America. He has lived in Milwaukee County all of his life and resides with his wife in the Bay View neighborhood.
Joining Senator Larson today are his wife, Jessica Brumm-Larson, his parents Lawrence and Margaret Larson, his brother, David Larson, his sister Betsy Marusic, his sister Rebecca Larson and her fiancée Beth Brown, his aunt Gail Sahagun, his in-laws Loren and Joan Brumm, his sister in-law Melissa Brumm, his sister in-law Erica Brumm, and her husband Spencer Smith."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Leibham
"Senator Joe Leibham returns for a third term in the State Senate - representing the residents of the 9th District, which covers parts of Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Fond du Lac and Calumet Counties.
Prior to his election to the Senate, Senator Leibham served for two terms in the State Assembly and worked for the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce and Sargento Foods.
During the 2011-2012 legislative session, Senator Leibham will serve as the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate and as a member of the Joint Committee on Finance.
Senator Leibham is joined today by his wife Heather, as well as many other family members and over 100 friends and constituents from the 9th District. He'd also like to recognize his three children, Andrew (3 years), William (2 years), and Lucy - who is just six weeks old.
Congratulations and welcome back, Senator Leibham."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Kedzie
S3
"State Senator Neal Kedzie was first elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in November 2002. The 11th Senate District includes portions of Walworth, Waukesha, Jefferson and Kenosha Counties in Southeastern Wisconsin. Prior to being elected to the Senate, he served three terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 43rd Assembly District.
Senator Kedzie has served as the Assistant Senate Majority Leader and will serve as Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee in the 2011-2012 session.
He is most noted for his work on many significant environmental initiatives over the last decade.
Senator Kedzie has resided in rural Walworth County for more than 36 years, with his wife Kerrie and his three children - Erika, Ryan and Sean - and Kerrie is here today for his inauguration."
Senator Miller Introduced Senator Cullen
"Senator Tim Cullen is proud to represent the people of the 15th Senate District, which includes the cities of Janesville, Beloit and Whitewater. The district encompasses Milton and Edgerton on the north, Orfordville and Footville on the west, and Clinton on the east.
Senator Cullen has spent half of his career in the public sector and half in the private sector. He began his public service at the age of 26 on the Janesville City Council. He worked on the staff of U.S. Representative Les Aspin before winning a seat in the State Senate. He served in the Senate from 1975 until 1987, including five years as majority leader. He served as secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services and then worked as an executive for Blue Cross/Blue Shield for 20 years.
After retiring from there, he once again entered public service as a member of the Janesville School Board.
Senator Cullen has served his community and state on numerous boards and commissions. He and his wife Barbara established a foundation that sends high school juniors to work as interns in the State Capitol each summer.
He returns to the Senate after the longest gap of service of any Senator in state history: 24 years.
Senator Cullen is joined today by his wife Barb, their daughter Katharine, his stepdaughters Loren and Erin, his mother-in-law Kay Mork, his brother Tom, his three grandchildren, three nephews, and several friends."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Schultz
"Dale Schultz represents the spirit of his constituents in Southwest and South Central Wisconsin. Dale has worked his way up. First serving in the Assembly and now beginning his fifth full term in the State Senate, Dale will serve as Chair of the Senate Committee on Banking and Rural Affairs.
Dale and his wife Rachel own and manage their Century Farm in Sauk County doing both crop farming as well as running a game farm. Rachel also serves as the District Administrator for the Richland School District. As Dale likes to say, he married up.
The Schultz's have two daughters: Katie who works for the Retirement Board in Washington D.C., and Amanda who is a Junior at UW-Madison."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Ellis
"Michael G. Ellis was first elected to the State Senate in 1982. In 1985 after just one term in the Senate, he was elected to be Assistant Minority Leader. He has since served as Minority Leader and Majority Leader.
In 2000, he stepped down from his leadership position in order to regain some personal independence and to provide others an opportunity to serve in leadership. Senator Ellis is proud to have been elected by his colleagues to serve as Senate President for the 100th Session of the Wisconsin Legislature.
Mike has been married to his wife, Sandy, for 39 years. Mike and Sandy live along the west shore of Lake Winnebago, where Sandy operates a successful house farm raising and breeding quarterhorses, with customers around the world."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Wanggaard
"State Senator Van Wanggaard was elected to represent the 21st State Senate District. His district includes most of Racine County with the exception of Burlington and Waterford.
Senate Wanggaard and his wife Mary Jo, have been married 37 years and reside in West Racine in the home built by Mary Jo's Grandfather. They have two children, Kathleen and Joshua.
Senator Wanggaard has been a servant to his community for over 40 years, including nearly 30 years in law enforcement.
Senator Wanggaard was elected to the Racine County Board of Supervisors representing the 7th District in 2002, and has been re-elected five times. Senator Wanggaard was appointed to his second five year term as a Racine Police and Fire Commissioner in 2008 and will continue serving in that capacity."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Moulton
"State Senator Terry Moulton served in the Assembly from 2004 to 2008 and begins his first term in the Senate today. He represents the 23rd Senate District, made up of all or part of Dunn, Chippewa, Eau Claire, Clark, Wood, Marathon, Barron and Taylor Counites.
As a small business owner and avid hunter and fisherman, Senator Moulton put his knowledge from those areas to work while in the Assembly, serving as Chair of the Small Business Committee and Vice-Chair of the Natural Resources Committee. He will continue to provide leadership in those areas in the Senate.
Senator Moulton has called the Chippewa Valley his home for over 60 years. He has been married to his wife Sue Kay for 44 years, they have two grown children, Will and Sara, and eight grandchildren."
Senator Miller Introduced Senator Jauch
"Senator Jauch represents the 25th Senate District, which includes all or parts of the far northern counties of Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Sawyer, Barron, Iron, Washburn, Polk, and Burnett. The 25th is the largest Senate District in the state covering over 7500 square miles, larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware combined. Bob is proud to say that he represents the entire Wisconsin border of beautiful Lake Superior.
Bob began his career of public service working as the Northern Wisconsin Field Rep for Congressman Dave Obey in 1973. He was elected to the State Assembly in 1982, the Senate in 1986 and today marks the beginning of his 7th term in the Senate. He is the third most senior member of the Senate behind Senator Risser and Senator Ellis.
S4
Throughout his career, Bob has been a true champion for the northern district he loves and he has built an impressive legislative record on issues ranging from the Great Lakes water compact, reforming child welfare, attacking fraud and abuse and restoring the integrity of our State child care program. One of the most articulate members of the Senate, Bob has passionately advocated for equality, economic justice and fairness for every citizen.
Bob travels 320 miles to reach the Capitol. Because he crisscrosses so many communities around the state, he maintains a unique perspective in considering the needs of all citizens. Bob is known for his ability to solve problems and throughout his entire career he has worked across party lines to improve the quality of life for all Wisconsin citizens.
Bob maintains a commitment and reverence for this institution as he strives to make sure the democratic process works for every citizen.
Bob lives in Poplar, Wisconsin with his wife Cecelia, who is a retired elementary school teacher. Cecilia is here today, along with their two children, Jessica and Christopher. They are also joined by Bob's 87 year old mother who is on hand for her 9th inauguration today, along with other family and friends."
Senator Miller Introduced Senator Erpenbach
"Senator Erpenbach was first elected in 1998 and has served the people of the 27th Senate District since that day.
Jon was born and raised in the 27th and is proud to have lived there most of his life. He is the active parent of two Middleton High School students; Joe and Amy.
Senator Erpenbach is best know for his work for on consumer protection issues like the creation of the Wisconsin Do-Not-Call list and Malinda's Law to regulate traveling sales crews, as well as his leadership on creative solutions for consumers on health care, like Healthy Wisconsin.
Senator Erpenbach has served on many committees since his tenure in the Legislature and also served as Senate Minority Leader for 2003 and 2004.
Perhaps best know for the bills he has done at the request of his constituents, Erpenbach is proud to have been re-elected to serve again. He is joined today by his parents, Liz and Bill Erpenbach, both retired public servants, his children Joe and Amy Erpenbach and Will and Eli Erpenbach."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Galloway
"Pam Galloway was elected to represent the 29th Senate District, a geographically large district in North Central Wisconsin including Marathon, Taylor, Price and Rusk Counties.
A breast cancer surgeon from Wausau, Dr. Galloway had never before held political office, and come to Madison excited to work on issues ranging from quality healthcare to improving our state's economy.
Here with Pam today is Chris, her husband of 32 years, and many of her close friends and family."
Senator Miller Introduced Senator Vinehout
"Kathleen represents a sprawling rural district in Western Wisconsin - from dairy farms nestled among the majestic bluffs of the Mississippi River to the cranberry bogs and Christmas trees in the Central Sands Region; from the bustle of Water Street and the UW Eau Claire to the best prices for gasoline on the interstate at Love's in Oakdale.
A passion for establishing affordable health care for all brought this former dairy farmer to the Senate four years ago. Making sure government does well what it was created to do keeps her here. We're proud to have her represent Western Wisconsin on the Joint Committee on Audit."
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Zipperer
"State Senator Rich Zipperer was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate on November 2nd to represent the 33rd Senate District, which runs from the city of Waukesha to the City of Hartford. He previously served in the State Assembly, representing the 98th State Assembly district since 2007. He is also an attorney, working in private practices in Southeast Wisconsin.
Senator Zipperer will serve as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce and Government Operations in the upcoming legislative session.
While in the Assembly he served as the ranking Republican on the Assembly Committee on Jobs, the Economy and Small Business, Chairman of the Taxpayer Protection Caucus, and Co-chair of the Wisconsin Jobs NOW Task Force.
Senator Zipperer resides in Pewaukee with his family. His wife, Rita, and three children Vince, Sylvia and Elizabeth, are with him today; as well as his father, mother, one of his three sister, and other family and friends."
Senator Grothman Introduced Senator Fitzgerald
"Senator Scott Fitzgerald was recently elected to his fifth term representing the 13th Senate District, which includes Dodge, Jefferson, Columbia, Waukesha and Dane Counties. Senator Fitzgerald was first elected in 1994, and was recently chosen by his Republican colleagues to serve as Majority Leader. In prior sessions he has served as Majority Leader, Co-Chairman of the joint committee on Finance and Chair of the Senate Corrections Committee. He served for 27 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel.
Scott is joined today by his wife Lisa, his sons Scotty, Brennan and Connor, his parents Steve and Bonnie, and his in-laws Albin and Lousie Will.
Please join me in welcoming back Scott Fitzgerald."
__________________
Upon the calling of the newly elected Senators on Monday, January 3, 2011, the following appeared before the Senate, took and subscribed the oath of office which was administered by the Honorable Michael Gableman, Associate Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
