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.
hist644The question was: Adoption of Senate Resolution 1? The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 33; noes, 0; absent or not voting, 0; as follows:
Ayes - 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.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - None.
Adopted.
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Remarks of President Risser
“In a few moments, I will ask the new officers of the Senate come before the bar to take the oath of office. Before I do that, however, I would like to say a few words.
As we begin the 101st Session of the Wisconsin Legislature, I am hopeful that he members of this body - regardless of party or personal philosophy - can maintain the tradition of order and decorum that give the Wisconsin State Senate a reputation as a model legislative body. There are many challenges ahead of us this session, and I expect that we will handle them with dignity as guardians of the public interest.
I would like to thank my fellow Senators for allowing me to serve as Senate President. I find that it is always a great honor to serve as President and I enjoy the opportunity immensely.
For those new to this body, I will share a little history. 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 34 years since that time.
Senator Mike Ellis, to whom I return the gavel today, is the fourth member of the Senate to be elected President from within; joining myself, Senator Brian Rude and Senator Alan Lasee. Senator Ellis also has the distinction of being the second longest serving member of the Wisconsin Legislature.
In fact, if you add that Senator Ellis is starting his 43rd year of legislative service to my starting my 57th year of service, the two of us log in a total of 100 years of service to Wisconsin
This session we welcome a new Senate Chief Clerk, Jeff Renk. Jeff served in the Office of the Assembly Chief Clerk for 11 years before coming to the Senate as Assistant Chief Clerk in 2004. Thank you, Jeff, for your continued service to the Senate.
We also welcome back Senate Sergeant at Arms Ted Blazel for another session. Ted and his staff helped to keep order during a number of contentious debates last session. His experience and professionalism is a credit to the body.
Finally, I would like to recognize my wife, Nancy, who is here today. Without her help and support, I would not be standing before you now.
With that, I would like to call Senators Mike Ellis and Joe Leibham, as well as Chief Clerk Jeff Renk and Sergeant at Arms Ted Blazel before the bar to take the oath of office.”
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The President, Michael G. Ellis, the President Pro Tempore, Joe Leibham, the Chief Clerk, Jeffery Renk, and the Sergeant at Arms, Edward A. Blazel, having been duly elected by the adoption of Senate Resolution 1, appeared together before the bar of the Senate, took and subscribed the oath of office which was administered by the Honorable Pat Roggensack, Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
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Senate President Ellis in the chair.
President Ellis and President Pro Tempore Leibham introduced the Senators returning from the 100th Session: Senators Lasee, Carpenter, Vukmir, Larson, Leibham, Kedzie, Fitzgerald, Cullen, Schultz, Ellis, Lehman, Moulton, Jauch, Erpenbach, Petrowski and Vinehout.
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With unanimous consent, Senator Fitzgerald addressed the members from the rostrum.
Remarks of Majority Leader Fitzgerald
“Mr. President, Justice Roggensack, Minority Leader Larson, fellow colleagues, and distinguished guests:
It is with a great sense of humility and honor that I stand before you today as Majority Leader. I thank my colleagues in the outer ring for conferring their trust in me, and I thank Minority Leader Larson and the members of his caucus for their efforts in the transition process.
