Also many of my good friends are here, including Jim Ladwig (Racine County Executive) and Reince Priebus (chairman of the Republican National Committee) who flew in just for the ceremony.
There’s one special lady who I just have to recognize, Barbara Scherrer. Barb was my 6th grade teacher. She nurtured a little boy who was interested in politics by inspiring me to try and make a difference. Well, Barb, thank you for helping me get here. I am forever grateful to you and the effort you put into me so many years ago. She is a wonderful example of the positive impact that teachers and close friends can have on a person. I am so blessed to have such amazing people in my life.
In addition to those friends, I am proud to also have my mom and dad here. They’re so important to me. They’re the ones who have done the most to make me the person I am today. They sacrificed so I could go to college, they helped me buy my first business and have been my biggest cheerleaders. Thank you mom and dad – I love you very much.
As I drove toward this beautiful capitol again today, I was reminded of all of the people who have made a similar journey on a similar day throughout Wisconsin’s history. More than five-thousand people have served in the Wisconsin State Assembly since its statehood. You join them today.
Each of us was elected to represent our constituents and I know we will all do that ably. What we must also do is to continue to respect each other regardless of party or philosophy. Because at the end of the day, I know each of us wants to do what is right for our state.
Abraham Lincoln once said “As our case is new, we must think and act anew.” Today is a new day. We must let the contentious debates of the past stay there. We must instead focus on finding new ways to move Wisconsin forward together by finding common ground while holding onto our principles.
As I have thought of my own principles over the past few years they can easily be summed up in just a few phrases. The best one was said by President Ronald Reagan, “Man is not free unless government is limited: as government expands liberty contracts." We must help those who are less fortunate and in need of a helping hand, but we also must not seek to solve every problem with another government program.
My values are simple and probably mirror your own– an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay; pay your bills on time without borrowing from the future; live within your means and save for a rainy day. Those are the values we will employ when we set the direction of our state.
As all of us traveled to the state capitol today eager to begin to solve the big challenges that lie before us: How can we make state government work more efficiently? How can we reform our welfare programs to move people into the real world of work? How can we improve the lives of the people we see when we return to our districts? How can we reduce the crushing tax burden that impedes the ability of entrepreneurs to create family supporting jobs? I’m confident that working together we can answer those questions and address the other important issues facing our state.
By the end of this session, I hope we can say we reformed our mining laws, passed an across the board income tax cut for everyone who pays taxes, completed a comprehensive review of state regulations and improved our schools.
Earlier today, Assembly Democrats sent out an e-mail about their priorities. While I have not had a chance to review them, I look forward to a productive discussion of these ideas in addition to our own.
This session we have a great opportunity to set a new tone for our state. We can agree to disagree and we can have lively debates but remain committed to working together.
I think this is a challenge that we can meet this session. We already have two committees that have bipartisan chairs. We have a bipartisan reception following this ceremony and a bipartisan Assembly leadership meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
To the new members I offer my congratulations on your first day of what could be the most exciting chapter of your lives. Your service in this body will be incredibly rewarding. I know you are ready to get to work.
Even though we represent different and unique parts of the state, from the Northwoods to the neighborhoods of Milwaukee, we all want to do the best for Wisconsin. We want Wisconsin to prosper, we want our children to succeed in school, and we want family-sustaining jobs for our citizens.
I promise to work with each and every one of you, Republicans and Democrats alike, to help make your best ideas a reality and to help make Wisconsin an even better place to call home.
Thank you again for this honor. God bless you and God Bless the state of Wisconsin.”
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Election of Speaker Pro Tempore
Representative Klenke nominated Representative Kramer for the position of Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and First Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Suder asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the assembly recorded as voting for Representative Kramer for Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore. Granted
For Representative Kramer – Representatives August, Ballweg, Barca, Barnes, Berceau, Bernard Schaber, Bernier, Bewley, Bies, Billings, Born, Brooks, Clark, Craig, Czaja, Danou, Doyle, Endsley, Genrich, Goyke, Hebl, Hesselbein, Hintz, Honadel, Hulsey, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, Johnson, Jorgensen, Kahl, Kapenga, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kessler, Kestell, Kleefisch, Klenke, Knodl, Knudson, Kolste, Kooyenga, Kramer, Krug, Kuglitsch, T. Larson, LeMahieu, Loudenbeck, Marklein, Mason, Milroy, Murphy, Mursau, Murtha, Nass, Nerison, Nygren, Ohnstad, A. Ott, J. Ott, Pasch, Petersen, Petryk, Pope, Pridemore, Richards, Riemer, Ringhand, Ripp, Sanfelippo, Sargent, Schraa, Severson, Shankland, Sinicki, Smith, Spiros, Steineke, Stone, Strachota, Stroebel, Suder, Swearingen, Tauchen, C. Taylor, Thiesfeldt, Tittl, Tranel, Vruwink, Wachs, Weatherston, Weininger, Williams, Wright, Young, Zamarripa, Zepnick and Speaker Vos - 98.
Absent or not voting - None.
Vacancies - 98th Assembly District - 1.
Representative Kramer was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and First Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Vos.
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Remarks by the
Speaker Pro Tempore
“Mr. Speaker, Members, Citizens of Wisconsin, thank you, once again, for entrusting me with the privilege of serving this body as the Speaker Pro Tempore for the 2013-2014 Legislative Session.
By the very nature of our profound responsibilities – to represent the people of Wisconsin with integrity and honor – we will, and should have, spirited debates in these Chambers. But we must always strive to ensure that opposing opinions are heard, diverse ideas are encouraged, and every Member is treated with respect.
That is how I have conducted myself from the Chair, and it is how I intend to conduct myself from the Chair moving forward.
I intend to honor the Assembly and the trust you’ve given me by shepherding debate in these Chambers to ensure that every Member comports themselves with the dignity that this institution deserves and to demand of each of us – myself included – honesty, integrity, and adherence to the Rules of this body.
The decisions we make in this room will reverberate through generations of Wisconsinites. We MUST be deliberative and conscientious. We should avoid theatrics and personal invective. Serious challenges require serious people to make serious decisions.
For if we cannot have honest, structured, efficient debate, we do a disservice to the good people who sent us here to represent them and their myriad interests. We should not allow ourselves to succumb to petty, partisan bickering, nor should we sacrifice our beliefs without reason. There are nearly 6 million people who need us to do their work, not serve our own personal agendas. There are nearly 6 million people who expect… nay… demand, that their interests are placed above our own.
To serve all of Wisconsin, it is incumbent on us to show due respect to this body, this Chamber, and to one another. To serve all of Wisconsin, we must place a premium on civility INSIDE this room. To serve all of Wisconsin, each and every one of us MUST respect each other, recognize our differences, disagree without being disagreeable.
I sincerely thank each and every one of you for placing your trust in me to be a leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly. And with the help of God, my family, my colleagues and friends, may I serve judiciously and ably. Thank you.”
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Election of Chief Clerk
Representative Zamarripa nominated Patrick E. Fuller for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and First Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Suder seconded the nomination of Patrick E. Fuller for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and First Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the Speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Suder asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Patrick E. Fuller for Assembly Chief Clerk. Granted.
For Patrick E. Fuller − Representatives August, Ballweg, Barca, Barnes, Berceau, Bernard Schaber, Bernier, Bewley, Bies, Billings, Born, Brooks, Clark, Craig, Czaja, Danou, Doyle, Endsley, Genrich, Goyke, Hebl, Hesselbein, Hintz, Honadel, Hulsey, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, Johnson, Jorgensen, Kahl, Kapenga, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kessler, Kestell, Kleefisch, Klenke, Knodl, Knudson, Kolste, Kooyenga, Kramer, Krug, Kuglitsch, T. Larson, LeMahieu, Loudenbeck, Marklein, Mason, Milroy, Murphy, Mursau, Murtha, Nass, Nerison, Nygren, Ohnstad, A. Ott, J. Ott, Pasch, Petersen, Petryk, Pope, Pridemore, Richards, Riemer, Ringhand, Ripp, Sanfelippo, Sargent, Schraa, Severson, Shankland, Sinicki, Smith, Spiros, Steineke, Stone, Strachota, Stroebel, Suder, Swearingen, Tauchen, C. Taylor, Thiesfeldt, Tittl, Tranel, Vruwink, Wachs, Weatherston, Weininger, Williams, Wright, Young, Zamarripa, Zepnick and Speaker Vos - 98.
Absent or not voting - None.
Vacancies - 98th Assembly District - 1.
Patrick E. Fuller was elected Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and First Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Vos.
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Election of Sergeant-at-Arms
Representative Ballweg nominated Anne Tonnon Byers for the position of Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and First Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Jorgensen seconded the nomination of Anne Tonnon Byers for the position of Sergeant-At-Arms of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and First Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the Speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Suder asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Anne Tonnon Byers for Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms. Granted.
For Anne Tonnon Byers: Representatives August, Ballweg, Barca, Barnes, Berceau, Bernard Schaber, Bernier, Bewley, Bies, Billings, Born, Brooks, Clark, Craig, Czaja, Danou, Doyle, Endsley, Genrich, Goyke, Hebl, Hesselbein, Hintz, Honadel, Hulsey, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, Johnson, Jorgensen, Kahl, Kapenga, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kessler, Kestell, Kleefisch, Klenke, Knodl, Knudson, Kolste, Kooyenga, Kramer, Krug, Kuglitsch, T. Larson, LeMahieu, Loudenbeck, Marklein, Mason, Milroy, Murphy, Mursau, Murtha, Nass, Nerison, Nygren, Ohnstad, A. Ott, J. Ott, Pasch, Petersen, Petryk, Pope, Pridemore, Richards, Riemer, Ringhand, Ripp, Sanfelippo, Sargent, Schraa, Severson, Shankland, Sinicki, Smith, Spiros, Steineke, Stone, Strachota, Stroebel, Suder, Swearingen, Tauchen, C. Taylor, Thiesfeldt, Tittl, Tranel, Vos, Vruwink, Wachs, Weatherston, Weininger, Williams, Wright, Young, Zamarripa and Zepnick - 98.
Absent or not voting - None.
Vacancies - 98th Assembly District - 1.
Anne Tonnon Byers was elected Sergeant-at-Arms of
the Assembly for the One-Hundred and First Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Vos.
_____________
Communications
December 10, 2012
Patrick Fuller
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Fuller:
Pursuant to Assembly Rule 2 (2), the following officers have been duly elected by the Assembly Democratic Caucus: Minority Leader: Peter Barca
Assistant Minority Leader: Sandy Pasch
Minority Caucus Chair: Andy Jorgensen
Minority Caucus Vice-Chair: JoCasta Zamarripa
Minority Caucus Secretary: Janis Ringhand
Minority Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms: Josh Zepnick
