SJR19: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-2450/1

PJD:kmg:jf

2001 - 2002 LEGISLATURE

2001 Senate JOINT RESOLUTION 19

February 13, 2001 - Introduced by Senators Darling, Rosenzweig, Panzer, Huelsman, Schultz, S. Fitzgerald, Grobschmidt, Burke, Risser, A. Lasee, Lazich, George, Farrow and Roessler, cosponsored by Representatives Jeskewitz, Wasserman, Gunderson, Kestell, Krug, Plouff, Wade, Albers, Nass, Coggs, Lippert, Ladwig, Hahn, Plale, Gundrum, Townsend, Carpenter, Sykora, Miller, Bock, Ott, Turner, Ziegelbauer, Riley, Walker and Vrakas. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.

SJR19,1,1 Relating to: the life and public service of Ben Barkin.

SJR19,1,3 Whereas, Ben Barkin was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 4, 1915, and died on Friday, February 2, 2001; and

SJR19,1,6 Whereas, Ben Barkin quickly learned the ability to fund-raise from his parents, Adolph and Rose Barkin, and would later become the president of his Roosevelt Junior High School graduating class; and

SJR19,1,9 Whereas, Ben Barkin moved to Omaha, Nebraska, after graduating high school, and became the assistant secretary of the International Junior Order B'nai B'rith's activities director in 1938; and

SJR19,1,14 Whereas, Ben Barkin volunteered his time and service to the U.S. Treasury Department to sell war bonds door-to-door for no payment, and would hold war bond rallies where such guests as Orson Wells would be invited, and Ben was invited to Washington, D.C., to explain why Milwaukee was the leader of all cities in contributing toward the World War II effort; and

SJR19,2,4 Whereas, Ben Barkin set up a business as a public relations counselor, and, having started with 2 clients, First Wisconsin Bank and Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company, would later expand his firm to have branches in New York City and Los Angeles in 1958; and

SJR19,2,8 Whereas, Ben Barkin did an outstanding job organizing public events, and especially enjoyed working on events for the city of Milwaukee; and would chair the celebration for the Milwaukee Braves after their 1958 National League Pennant; and

SJR19,2,13 Whereas, Ben Barkin convinced Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company to sponsor concerts at the New York Philharmonic and the Newport Jazz festivals; and he would later contact Chappie Fox, the director of Baraboo's Circus World Museum, about a parade that would showcase Milwaukee and Schlitz by the use of wild animals, horses, clowns, and wagons in 1963; and

SJR19,2,15 Whereas, Ben Barkin would make these parades an exciting event for the city of Milwaukee and bring Milwaukee national attention; and

SJR19,2,18 Whereas, Ben Barkin would passionately support the equality of all, and he would use his influence in Milwaukee and Washington, D.C., to lobby the local, state, and national governments for their lack of action in the Civil Rights Movement; and

SJR19,2,25 Whereas, Ben Barkin, a man practicing the Jewish faith, was always trying to ease religious tensions, and would meet Pope Paul VI in 1967, and would work hard to raise money for Catholic and Protestant endeavors, and would sit on the board of Marquette University's medical school, and would receive a humanitarian award from B'nai B'rith, and a Brotherhood Award from the Wisconsin Conference of Jews and Christians, and all of these awards were given for his quests for equality and a peaceful coexistence; and

SJR19,3,3 Whereas, Ben Barkin is not only known for his work for a peaceful nation, but he is also known for his work in bringing smiles to the faces of both old and young by his work with the Milwaukee Circus Parade; now, therefore, be it

SJR19,3,6 Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature salute the life and public service of Ben Barkin and mourn his passing.

SJR19,3,7 (End)