Senator Darling has been married to Dr. William Darling for more than 45 years. They are the parents of two children, Liza and Will, and proud grandparents of two grandsons Charlie and Liam and one granddaughter Andie.
Joining Senator Darling today are some of her constituents.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Harsdorf
“Sheila was re-elected last fall by the voters of the 10th Senate District, which includes parts of Burnett, Dunn, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix Counties.
Sheila has been a tireless advocate for western Wisconsin and has long fought for issues affecting our small communities and rural areas in the State Legislature. As a former dairy farmer, Sheila knows firsthand the challenges facing agricultural producers and the importance of agriculture to our state’s economy. In representing a district that borders Minnesota, Sheila understands the critical need for Wisconsin to remain competitive with other states as we seek to attract jobs and grow our economy.
Sheila is today joined by her son, Ryan, her sisters and their spouses, Roxy and Wade Carlson and Sue and Steve Josephson, and her brother, Jim Harsdorf. Also joining Sheila are many friends that made the drive from western Wisconsin.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Tiffany
“Senator-Elect Tom Tiffany was elected in November to represent the 12th Senate District. Tom just completed his first term in the State Assembly serving as State Representative of the 35th Assembly District. In the Assembly, Tom was known for his hard work on issues related to natural resources, tourism, and economic development.
Tom and his wife Chris own and operate Wisconsin River Cruises, which they started in 1991, and Tom is the dam man, better known as the damtender, on the Willow Flowage. In addition, Tom serves as Town Supervisor for the Town of Little Rice, a position held since 2009.
Today, Senator-Elect Tiffany is joined by his wife Chris and their three daughters Karlyn, Lexie, and Katherine. In addition, Tom is also joined by family members including his mother Virgal Tiffany, his sister and brother-in-law Lou and Jim Welter, his brother Richard, and his brother Charles with his son Tanner.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Olsen
“Senator Luther Olsen representing the 14th Senate District is from Ripon, Wisconsin, a graduate of Berlin High School and the University of Wisconsin Madison. Today marks the start of his third term in the Senate, after having served in the State Assembly since 1995. Prior to being elected to the Legislature, Senator Olsen served his hometown for 20 years as a member of the Berlin Area School Board – 9 of those as school board president.
Senator Olsen will be returning as the Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Chairman of the Education Committee where his leadership on K-12 education is recognized not just in the Capitol but nationwide. In 2012 he was selected to serve as the Education Committee Co-Chair for the National Conference of State Legislatures. Several family members, including his wife Joan Wade, join Senator Olsen today.”
Senator Larson Introduced Senator Miller
“Senator Mark Miller, representing the 16th Senate District, is entering his third term in the State Senate. His district spans a large portion of Dane County. Prior to being elected to the Senate, he served six years in the State Assembly and four years on the Dane County Board. This past session, Senator Miller served as Senate Democratic Leader and as Senate Majority Leader for the second half of 2012.
Senator Miller is a former small business owner and served our country for 30 years as a fighter pilot in the Air National Guard, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1995.
Senator Miller is a leading advocate for smart environmental policy and conservation. He will continue to work for a more energy efficient Wisconsin this session as the ranking member of the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
Joining Senator Mark Miller today is his wife Jo Oyama Miller, his brother and sister-in-law Jeff and Karen, his brother Randy Miller, his daughter Chandra Miller Fienen, and his sister-in-law Debi Leeper.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Gudex
“Rick Gudex was elected on November 6 to serve the people of the 18th Senate District. Rick grew up in Eden, Wisconsin where he learned the value of hard work by doing chores on the family farm and working at construction sites. After graduating high school, Rick began a successful career in the manufacturing industry at Gehl Company in West Bend. He is now employed as a production manager of the Aluminum Division at Brenner Tank in Fond du Lac.
Rick began his distinguished career in public service in 1998, when he became the mayor of Mayville at the age of 29. In addition, Rick has served on the Eden Village Board, and in 2009, Rick was elected to the Fond du Lac City Council where he served as its president for the past three years.
The Gudex family is proud to call Fond du Lac “home.”
Rick is joined today by his wife Kim; their children Jayce and Alexana; Rick’s mother and father Diane and Don; Rick’s brother and sister-in-law Joel and Nancy; Rick’s sister and brother-in-law Breyn and Joe; family friends; Brenner Tank co-workers; and City of Fond du Lac administrators.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Grothman
“Senator Glenn Grothman represents the 20th Senate District which includes parts of Washington, Ozaukee, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Calumet counties. Senator Grothman was elected to the State Assembly in a special election in 1993 and eleven years later he began serving in the Senate. He attended UW-Madison for his undergraduate degree and received his law degree from the UW-Madison Law School.
Before Senator Grothman was elected to the Assembly, he was a lawyer in West Bend for ten years. Senator Grothman is known for being a fiscal and policy watchdog, and is well known for working across the aisle on commonsense solutions for the citizens of Wisconsin. He also was the author of, at the time, the most pro-life waiting period bill in the country.
Senator Grothman is particularly proud of the reforms he helped spearhead in the 2011-2012 session, especially on tax law and regulatory reform. Senator Grothman is honored to be the Chair of the Judiciary and Labor Committee as well as a member of the Joint Finance Committee.
Joining him today are his parents, Harold and Joan Grothman.”
Senator Larson Introduced Senator Wirch
“Senator Bob Wirch was re-elected this November to his fifth term in the Wisconsin State Senate. He proudly serves the 22nd Senate District, which includes the City of Kenosha, the City of Racine, the Village of Mount Pleasant and the Village of Elmwood Park. Throughout his tenure in public service, Senator Wirch has been steadfast in his commitment to speaking with constituents and responding to their concerns.
A third-generation Kenosha native, Senator Wirch followed in his father and grandfather’s footsteps working at the American Brass Company for over two decades. While working at American Brass, he attended night classes at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, earning a Bachelor’s degree. He also served in the Army Reserve from 1965 until 1971. Senator Wirch was elected to the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors in 1986 where he served for eight years and worked to help establish the Shalom Center. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1992 and served until his election to the State Senate in 1996.
Senator Wirch has been a strong advocate for Wisconsin’s environment and is a long serving member on the Senate Natural Resources Committee. This Legislative session, Senator Wirch has been appointed to the Joint Committee on Finance, the Senate Committee on Government Operations, and the Committee on Public Works and Telecommunications.
Senator Wirch is supported by his loving family. He is the oldest of six children born to Walter and Dorothy Wirch. Senator Wirch and his wife Mary have two grown children, David and Julia.
Today Senator Wirch is joined by his wife Mary and his children David and Julia, his brother Gary and his daughter Anne, his sister Pat, his brother Rick and his children Katie and Michael, and his sister Lori and her daughters Holly and Lindsey.”
Senator Larson Introduced Senator Lassa
“This past November, Senator Julie Lassa was re-elected to her third term as a state senator in Wisconsin. She will be representing communities in the counties of Portage, Waushara, Wood, Adams, Monroe, and Jackson. Having grown up on her parents’ farm in northern Portage County, Senator Lassa is familiar with the priorities and values of those she serves.
Before her election to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2003, Senator Lassa served her community as an Executive Director for the Plover Area Business Association, a Supervisor on the Town of Dewey Board, and a Representative in the State Assembly.
Senator Lassa has made a reputation for herself of being able to work across party lines to find common sense solutions. She is passionate about making our state a better place for all Wisconsinites to live. While in the Legislature, she has focused on enhancing private-sector job creation, promoting small business growth, making government more accountable to taxpayers, and protecting our children.
Joining Senator Julie Lassa today is her husband John and her youngest daughter Lily.”
Senator Larson Introduced Senator Risser
“Senator Fred Risser was re-elected to represent the 26th Senate District—home of the State Capitol and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The district includes much of the City of Madison and the Village of Shorewood Hills. A native Madisonian, Senator Risser is the fourth generation of his family to represent this area in the Wisconsin Legislature. He was elected to the Assembly in 1956 and to the Senate in 1962. Senator Risser’s lifelong dedication to public service gives him the distinct honor of being the longest serving state legislator in the United States. He is also regarded as an expert on the rules and procedures of the Wisconsin Senate.
During his tenure in the Wisconsin Legislature, Senator Risser has left a mark on countless areas of policy. His most notable achievement has been enactment of the SmokeFree Wisconsin Act, which has cleared the air in businesses and public spaces throughout the state. Senator Risser is a tireless advocate for maintaining the University of Wisconsin as a world-class teaching and research institution by providing appropriate resources and facilities to draw top students and faculty. He is passionate about preserving Wisconsin’s natural resources through stewardship, the protection of state parks, and expansion of Wisconsin’s vast network of recreational trails.
Joining Senator Risser today is his wife, Nancy Risser, his daughter Lisa White and her husband, Randy, his son-in-law Doug Falck, and his good friend Kara Sailing.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Lazich
“State Senator Mary Lazich was re-elected to represent the taxpayers and families of Wisconsin’s 28th Senate District in November with a margin of over 63 percent. Senator Lazich has served in the State Senate since winning a special election in April of 1998, following three terms in the State Assembly.
During her years in the state legislature, Mary has earned recognition for her tenacity in helping her constituents work through government red tape. Senator Lazich continues to be a strong advocate for smaller government and fewer regulations. Throughout her career in elected office, Mary has earned recognition from numerous pro-life, pro-business and pro-taxpayer organizations.
As a loving wife, mother and grandmother, Mary knows the importance of providing families in Wisconsin a safe and stable environment, so they can raise and educate their children to have a prosperous future. Mary is joined here today by her husband Glenn Lazich.”
Senator Larson Introduced Senator Hansen
“Re-elected to serve the 30th Senate District, Senator Dave Hansen will once again represent communities in Brown, Oconto, and Marinette Counties. He was first elected to the district in November 2000, making this his fourth term in the Legislature. Senator Hansen will also be a strong voice for the Senate Democratic Caucus as Assistant Democratic Leader once again.
Senator Hansen’s roots in the Green Bay area run deep. Not only is he a third-generation resident, but he also worked as a teacher for eight years at Annunciation Grade School, a truck driver for nearly 20 years at Green Bay’s Department of Public Works, and a Supervisor for six years in Brown County.
Through years of dedicated service to his neighbors, Senator Hansen has been a proponent of middle class workers, like himself, and their families. This session, he will be fighting to protect Wisconsin’s shared values as a member of the following committees: Agriculture, Small Business, and Tourism, Energy, Consumer Protection, and Government Reform, Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs, and Survey of Retirement Systems.
Joining Senator Hansen today is his wife Jane Hansen, his brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Mary Jo Hansen, and his brother Donald Hansen.”
Senator Larson Introduced Senator Shilling
“Senator Jennifer Shilling was elected to her first full term in the State Senate in November, after serving five terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly. The 32nd Senate District is comprised of communities in Monroe, La Crosse, Vernon, and Crawford counties in western Wisconsin.
Prior to being elected to the Wisconsin Legislature, Senator Shilling worked as a legislative aide to State Representative Mark Meyer and Congressman Ron Kind. In addition to representing her community as a state senator, Senator Shilling also served as a La Crosse County Supervisor and the state representative for the 95th Assembly District, in La Crosse. This will be Senator Shilling’s 13th year serving the people of western Wisconsin in the State Legislature.
Senator Shilling has been a strong voice for the values and priorities of her neighbors and constituents. She has been a strong advocate for higher education, including our Technical Colleges and University System, fostering economic development, and creating family-supporting jobs. She is also committed to helping Wisconsin's veterans and their families. Senator Shilling will again further her efforts to move Wisconsin forward by continuing to serve on the powerful Joint Committee on Finance.
Joining Senator Jennifer Shilling today is her husband Chris, their sons Nate and Zach, and several family members, including Jim and Kathy Shilling of Sparta, Bill and Marge Babcock of Oconomowoc, Ann Ehlenfeldt of Columbus, and Barbara Wiese of Waupaca. Jennifer thanks her family for their love, support and good humor!”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Farrow
“Senator Paul Farrow joined the State Senate on December 14, 2012 after serving the citizens of the 98th Assembly District since 2010.
A champion of small business, Paul has owned and operated two successful startup companies since the 1990s. Prior to serving in state politics, Paul was a school board member for the Richmond School in the Town of Lisbon and a former state director of the Youth in Government program for the YMCA of Metro Milwaukee.
Paul is proud to bring the 33rd Senate District’s representation back into the Farrow family, where his mother, former Lieutenant Governor Margaret Farrow, served as its senator from 1989 until 2001.
Paul is joined today by his wife of 25 years Amy, their two sons, Andrew and Jarod, his mother and father, former Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow and John Farrow, and in-laws Bill and Barb Vaitl.”
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Upon the calling of the newly elected Senators on Monday, January 7, 2013, the following appeared before the Senate, took and subscribed the oath of office which was administered by the Honorable Pat Roggensack, Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Robert Cowles Lena C. Taylor
Nikiya Harris Alberta Darling
Sheila Harsdorf Tom Tiffany
Luther Olsen Mark Miller
Rick Gudex Glenn Grothman
Robert W. Wirch Julie Lassa
Fred Risser Mary Lazich
Dave Hansen Jennifer Shilling
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In the Chair
Senate President Risser in the Chair.
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The roll was called, disclosing the presence of a quorum.
Pursuant to Senate Rule 15, the official attendance for session was: Senators Carpenter, Cowles, T. Cullen, Darling, Ellis, Erpenbach, Farrow, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Gudex, Hansen, Harris, Harsdorf, Jauch, Kedzie, C. Larson, Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, Lehman, Leibham, Miller, Moulton, Olsen, Petrowski, Risser, Schultz, Shilling, Taylor, Tiffany, Vinehout, Vukmir and Wirch - 33.
Absent - None.
Absent or not voting - None.
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hist637Considered as priveleged and taken up. Relating to: notifying the assembly and the governor that the 2013-2014 senate is organized.
By Senators S. Fitzgerald, Ellis, Grothman, C. Larson and Hansen.
