AJR105: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-4245/1

SRM:wlj:rs

2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE

2013 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 105

February 20, 2014 - Introduced by Representatives Bewley and Milroy, cosponsored by Senator Jauch. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR105,1,1 Relating to: honoring the life of Leo H. LaFernier Sr.

AJR105,1,3 Whereas, Leo H. LaFernier was born May 9, 1933, in Red Cliff, Wisconsin, and passed away on January 13, 2014, at the age of 80; and

AJR105,1,5 Whereas, Leo LaFernier grew up on the Red Cliff Reservation, attended school at St. Francis, and hunted and fished for subsistence; and

AJR105,1,7 Whereas, Leo deeply respected nature and carried that respect and spirituality with him in his advocacy for native people, native rights, and natural resources; and

AJR105,1,10 Whereas, Leo served in the U.S. Air Force in 1950, sailed on ore boats, worked in the oil industry, and, while working for Chicago Landscaping from 1959 to 1973, started the Chicago Indian Village; and

AJR105,1,13 Whereas, Leo returned to Red Cliff with his family in 1973, he was elected to the Tribal Council in 1980, and in 1983 he was elected vice chair of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, a position he held until 1998; and

AJR105,1,15 Whereas, in 1989 Leo traveled to Germany as an ambassador with other tribal members to teach Native American culture; and

AJR105,2,3 Whereas, in 1985 Leo helped found the Voigt Intertribal Task Force (VITF) and was the representative for the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa on VITF until his death; and

AJR105,2,7 Whereas, during Leo's nearly 30 years serving on VITF he was instrumental in securing affirmation and implementation of many court cases and intergovernmental agreements, including providing testimony in Lac Courte Oreilles v. Wisconsin in 1990; and

AJR105,2,11 Whereas, Leo was a leader in efforts to protect natural resources and ecosystems of ceded territory, including efforts to assess the potential impacts of radioactive waste storage in the ceded territory and to create the Red Cliff Tribal Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Committee in 2005; and

AJR105,2,13 Whereas, "Uncle Leo," as he was affectionately known, was a leader, mentor, and advisor to his colleagues and was an ogichidaa, protector of the community; and

AJR105,2,16 Whereas, Leo H. LaFernier was the loving husband of Shirley until her passing in 2011 and the beloved father of Lois, Debra, Leo Jr., Theresa, Eugene, Richard, Sherri, Gerri, Misty, and Cindy; now, therefore, be it

AJR105,2,19 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend the life and service of Leo H. LaFernier Sr., mourn his passing, and extend their condolences to his family and friends.

AJR105,2,20 (End)