2009 Assembly Joint Resolution 90
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of Rev. P. Harvey Stower.
Whereas, Pharis Harvey Stower, Jr., a dedicated life-long public servant and advocate for social justice issues, passed away at the age of 65 on Tuesday, September 29, 2009; and
Whereas, Harvey Stower was born in Frederic, Wisconsin, on September 17, 1944, graduated from Amery High School in 1962, and earned degrees in political science, English, and education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1966; and
Whereas, Harvey Stower met Marilyn Nielsen while attending college at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and they were married on March 11, 1967, in River Falls, and together raised two daughters, Kate and Elizabeth; and
Whereas, while attending college at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Harvey Stower was active in United Methodist youth, campus politics, and working for social justice issues across the United States, including participating in the Selma to Montgomery march with Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1965, beginning a life-long commitment to working for civil rights; and
Whereas, after teaching English at Prescott, Clayton, and Nicolet high schools, Harvey Stower attended Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., to pursue his dream of becoming an ordained United Methodist minister, and after his ordination in 1977, Harvey and Marilyn moved to Milwaukee where he served as a minister at Kenwood United Methodist Church for several years; and
Whereas, Harvey Stower returned to Amery in 1982 to run for the 28th Assembly District seat, which he won, serving for the 1983-84 session, and then ran again in 1988 and won, serving from 1989 until 1994; and
Whereas, during his time in the state assembly, Harvey Stower authored legislation to create the Wisconsin Conservation Corps, support public schools and rural communities, and improve the lives of farmers, workers, motorists, veterans, and people with disabilities, while also championing core humanitarian issues like hunger prevention and homelessness; and
Whereas, Harvey Stower had an extraordinary ability to work with legislators from both political parties, was a man who had a remarkable and distinct commitment to building relationships with every individual he encountered, and approached his job as a lawmaker with high moral and ethical standards, which earned him the title and legacy of being “The Conscience of the Legislature"; and
Whereas, Harvey Stower's public service continued in his role as Amery's mayor for the past 14 years, where his visionary leadership focused on developing the riverfront in Amery, downtown revitalization, economic growth, creating a thriving arts center, and improving the city's infrastructure through improved facilities for the airport, hospital, library, and food pantry; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the
assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature honor Harvey Stower for his decades of tireless and devoted service to northwest Wisconsin and the entire state and his passion for and life-long commitment to equity, justice, and advocating for the most vulnerable members of society, express their deep sorrow at his death, and extend their sincere condolences to his family and friends; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to each of Harvey Stower's daughters, Kate Stower and Elizabeth Stower.
