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.
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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."
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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.
Frank Lasee Tim Carpenter
Leah Vukmir Chris Larson
Joe Leibham Neal Kedzie
Scott Fitzgerald Tim Cullen
Dale Schultz Michael Ellis
Van Wanggaard Terry Moulton
Bob Jauch John Erpenbach
Pam Galloway Kathleen Vinehout
Rich Zipperer
The roll was called, disclosing the presence of a quorum.
Pursuant to Senate Rule
15, the official attendance for session was:
Senators Carpenter, Cowles, Cullen, Darling, Ellis, Erpenbach, S. Fitzgerald, Galloway, Grothman, Hansen, Harsdorf, Holperin, Hopper, Jauch, Kapanke, Kedzie, Larson, F. Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, Leibham, Miller, Moulton, Olsen, Risser, Schultz, Taylor, Vinehout, Vukmir, Wanggaard, Wirch and Zipperer - 32.
Absent - 0.
Absent with leave - Senator Coggs - 1.
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Senator Miller, with unanimous consent, asked that Senator Coggs be granted a leave of absence for today's session.
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Considered as privileged and taken up.
Senate Resolution 1
Relating to: notifying the assembly and the governor that the 2011-2012 senate is organized.
By Senators Fitzgerald, Ellis, Grothman, Miller and Hanen.
Read.
The question was: Shall Senate Resolution 1 be adopted?
The ayes and noes were required and the vote was: ayes, 32; noes, 0; absent or not voting, 1; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Carpenter, Cowles, Cullen, Darling, Ellis, Erpenbach, S. Fitzgerald, Galloway, Grothman, Hansen, Harsdorf, Holperin, Hopper, Jauch, Kapanke, Kedzie, Larson, F. Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, Leibham, Miller, Moulton, Olsen, Risser, Schultz, Taylor, Vinehout, Vukmir, Wanggaard, Wirch and Zipperer - 32.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - Senator Coggs - 1.
Adopted.
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Remarks of President Risser
"With the adoption of Senate Resolution 1, the Senate has elected new officers for itself. In a few moments, I will ask those officers to come before the bar to take the oath of office. Before I do that, however, I would like to say a few words on behalf of myself and each of the Senate Presidents who came before me.
First, I want to say thank you to my fellow Senators for allowing me to serve as Senate President. It is a great honor to serve as President and I have enjoyed that opportunity. I especially appreciate the fact that the members of this body---regardless of party or personal philosophy - have maintained an order and decorum that has give the Wisconsin State Senate a reputation as a model legislative body. I'm sure that this tradition and long history of fair, respectful debate on the many issues that confront our state will continue under its new leadership.
The Wisconsin State Senate did not always select its presiding officer. The Lieutenant Governor acted as President of the Senate until 1979 when the state constitution was changed to provide that the Senate select its own president.
I was the first Senator selected for that position in 1979 and have served on and off as president for approximately 24 of the past 32 years since that time. Senator Mike Ellis, who will be receiving the gavel from me today, will become the fourth person to hold this position along with Senator Brian Rude, Senator Alan Lasee and myself.
Senator Ellis, by the way, will be the first Senate President who is less than 6'2" tall - but I am sure he will make up the difference in other ways. Senator Ellis - as mentioned by Senator Fitzgerald earlier - has served longer in the State Legislature than any other legislator in the states history, other than myself. He is well versed in the Senate Rules and I know he will do a great job as our president.
Historically, until 1882, Wisconsin Senators served only two year terms. One of these two year term State Senators was my own Great-Grandfather, Col. Clement Warner, who came to the Senate in 1868 after the Civil War with one arm missing - having lost it in the war.
Our proceedings this afternoon are being broadcast by Wisconsin Eye. You will notice the little black boxes in the balcony which contain cameras to cover our proceedings. In addition to covering all Senate sessions, Wisconsin Eye also covers numerous committee hearings throughout the session making it possible for people throughout Wisconsin to follow the activities of the Senate.
