AJR46: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-2536/1

SRM:eev:jm

2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE

2013 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 46

June 28, 2013 - Introduced by Representatives Vruwink, Kessler and Danou, cosponsored by Senator Lassa. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR46,1,1 Relating to: the life and public service of Zelotes S. Rice II.

AJR46,1,3 Whereas, Mr. Zelotes S. Rice II, known as Zel, passed away May 1, 2013, at age 89; and

AJR46,1,7 Whereas, Mr. Rice grew up in Sparta, Wisconsin, and after graduating from Sparta High School in 1941 his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin was interrupted by his service to our country in World War II as a machine gunner; and

AJR46,1,11 Whereas, Mr. Rice fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was wounded in battle near Colmar, France, and received a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal, in addition to the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Colmar coat of arms, the Belgian Fourragère, and the French Croix de Guerre for valor and bravery in service; and

AJR46,1,15 Whereas, Mr. Rice earned his bachelor of science degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin in 1948, graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1951, and went on to practice in New York and Washington, D.C., before returning to Sparta to practice law with his father and brother; and

AJR46,2,5 Whereas, Mr. Rice served the state of Wisconsin as a member and commissioner of the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission from 1963 until his 1974 appointment by Governor Patrick J. Lucey as the secretary of transportation, after which he was appointed by Governor Martin Schreiber as Wisconsin's first secretary of Industry, Labor and Human Relations in 1977; and

AJR46,2,8 Whereas, Mr. Rice left state service in 1980 and returned with his family to Sparta to practice law at the firm Rice & Abbott until 1995, and then continued his practice with Arndt, Buswell & Thorn until the age of 86; and

AJR46,2,12 Whereas, Mr. Rice remained a leader in the community and served as president of Sparta-Tomah Broadcasting Company, which owns WCOW-FM and WKLJ-AM in Sparta and WFBZ-FM in Winona, Minnesota. He was president of Monroe County Publishers, which owns and prints the Monroe County Democrat; and

AJR46,2,14 Whereas, Mr. Rice was a devoted husband and friend to Babette and father to David; now, therefore, be it

AJR46,2,18 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend the distinguished career and public service of Zelotes S. Rice, express their sorrow at his death, and extend their condolences to his family and friends; and, be it further

AJR46,2,20 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this resolution to Zel Rice's widow, Babette Rice, and his son, David.

AJR46,2,21 (End)