Education is her passion. A former teacher, Senator Darling entered public service with a commitment to protecting, educating, and improving the life of every child in the state – no matter where they live. She helped create Wisconsin’s landmark school choice and charter school laws.
Senator Darling also helped to ease the teacher shortage by making it easier for experts to teach in our public schools. She also championed legislation to make sure foster children have more consistency in the home and the classroom. Senator Darling also authored legislation to increase the number of organ donors in Wisconsin.
Joining Senator Darling today are her grandchildren Charlie and Andie.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Harsdorf
“Senator Harsdorf was re-elected last fall by the voters of the 10th Senate District by the largest margin of victory since her first election to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2000. Sheila served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1989 to 1998 after which she returned home to farm before running for the State Senate.
During her time in the legislature, Sheila has been a tireless advocate for Northwest Wisconsin and has long fought for issues affecting rural Wisconsin. 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 recognizes the critical need for Wisconsin to remain competitive with other states as we seek to attract jobs and grow our economy. Her responsiveness to her constituents is evident by the legislation she has passed on behalf of veterans, law enforcement, seniors and those fighting against drug addiction.
Senator Harsdorf serves on the Legislature’s budget writing committee, chairs the Senate Universities and Technical Colleges Committee, and serves on several other standing committees including the Senate Agriculture, Small Business and Tourism Committee. In addition, since 2003 Senator Harsdorf has served as a commissioner with the Midwestern Higher Education Compact and was recently awarded the prestigious Philip Sirotkin Award for exemplary leadership in advancing Midwestern higher education through interstate cooperation.
Sheila is joined today by her son, Ryan, her sister and brother in law, Susie and Steve Josephson, and her brother Jim Harsdorf. Jim also served in both the State Assembly and State Senate. Jim and Sheila are the only brother and sister to have served in both the State Assembly and State Senate.
Also joining Sheila today are her nephew Johnathan Harsdorf, his wife Karissa and son Christian, her niece Sonja Beyerlein with son Ezekiel and daughter Ariella along with a number of friends who made the drive from Northwest Wisconsin.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Tiffany
“Senator Tom Tiffany was reelected in November to represent the 12th Senate District. Tom just completed his first term in the Senate, previously serving as State Representative of the 35th Assembly District. Tom is well known for his hard work on issues related to natural resources, tourism, and economic development.
Tom and his wife, Chris, live in the Northwoods on the Willow Flowage. They have three daughters. Tom and Chris are formerly the owners of Wilderness Cruises and he is the dam tender on the Willow Flowage. Tom was recently recognized for 25 years of service as the dam man on the Willow making him the second longest serving dam tender on the flowage.
Today, Senator Tiffany is joined by his wife, Chris. Daughter Karlyn, a freshman at UW-Stout. His sister, Lou, and brother-in-law Jim Welter. Daughters Lexie and Katherine chose to go to school today.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Olsen
“Senator Luther Olsen, representing the 14th Senate District, is from Ripon, Wisconsin. He is a graduate of Berlin High School and the University of Wisconsin Madison. Today marks the start of his fourth 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. He serves as a member of the National Conference of State Legislators’ Education Committee, following a term as co-chair of that committee. Luther co-authored a white paper that has garnered nationwide attention called “No Time to Lose” looking at how we can improve our school systems to compete with high-performing countries. Several family members, including his wife Joan Wade, join Senator Olsen today.”
Senator Shilling Introduced Senator Miller
“Senator Mark Miller, representing the 16th Senate District, is entering his fourth 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.
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 preserving the integrity of Wisconsin’s elections.
Joining Senator Mark Miller today is his wife Jo Oyama Miller, his daughter Chandra Miller Fienen, Jeff and Karen Miller, Tyler Verana, Mia Kuhn, Kiichi Okubo, and Randall Miller.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Feyen
“Senator-elect Dan Feyen was born in New Holstein where he graduated from High School and went on to earn a diploma in printing at Fox Valley Technical College. After Technical College Senator-Elect Feyen was hired by a local printing company and has been employed by that same Fond du Lac printing company for over 30 years.
Serving the community was something that Dan learned from his parents early in life. Serving his community as a member of the Fond du Lac Jaycees, and past Jaycees President, Dan learned the importance of quality leadership and the significance of giving back to his community.
It was in the Fond du Lac Jaycees that he met his wife Lori. Dan and Lori have been married for 22 years and have two children. Jenna is a senior at Fond du Lac High School and his son Nick is sophomore attending UW Madison.
He has been involved in politics at the grassroots level since 2004. Starting out volunteering at the local GOP office in Fond du Lac making phone calls after work. In 2007, he was elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Fond du Lac County, and in 2010 was elected chairman of the Sixth District Republican Party. During that time he has led the party though some of the busiest and most consequential times in Wisconsin’s political history.
Senator-Elect Feyen will begin his legislative career this session by serving as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Commerce and has been appointed to serve on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors.
Senator-Elect Feyen would like to thank his family and friends for their love, support, and prayers. Joining Dan today is his wife Lori, their Son Nick and Daughter Jenna. As well as Dan’s Mother and Father, Bob and Mary Feyen, his brother Steve Feyen and Lori’s father Jerry Barker. We’d also like to welcome Bob, Lisa, Becca, and Brian Sheahan, Annie Moore, Hunter Lisko, and Terry Shoemaker.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Stroebel
“Senator Duey Stroebel was elected to the Senate in April of 2015. Prior to serving in this body, Senator Stroebel was a member of the Assembly, the Cedarburg School Board, and numerous civic organizations and boards.
As a successful small businessman in real estate development, Senator Stroebel’s focus is toward reforms that preserve taxpayer resources. While in the Assembly, Senator Stroebel authored reform of double-dipping for retirees. While in the Senate, Stroebel worked with his senate colleagues to repeal prevailing wage for local projects.
This session, Senator Stroebel will chair the committee on Government Operations, Technology & Consumer Protection; vice-chair the committee on Financial Institutions, Constitution & Federalism; and serve as a member of Judiciary & Public Safety, and the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules.
Senator Stroebel resides in Cedarburg with his wife Laura. The Stroebels have eight children, three of whom are here today: Trevor, Stewart, and Mary. Senator Stroebel is also joined by his sisters Robin and Christine and mother-in-law Dolores.”
Senator Shilling Introduced Senator Wirch
“Senator Bob Wirch was re-elected this November to his sixth 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 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 cousin Sue Dopp and her husband Ron Biendseil.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Testin
“Senator-elect Patrick Testin, representing the 24th Senate District, will be joining the legislature for the first time. Born in Madison, raised in Marinette, Senator-elect Testin has been active in the community since graduating from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. He is a member of the Ignite Leadership Network of Portage County, a young professionals branch of the United Way, and a member of the Elks Lodge 641.
Senator-elect Testin brings his knowledge from a successful career in sales to the legislature, and will apply it as the Chair of Workforce Development, Military Affairs and Senior Issues.
Senator-elect Testin would like to welcome his fiancée, Hannah Henderson, as well as his parents Matt and Paula Testin. Also in attendance today is his Uncle Joel Egan, Bill Henderson, Mary Henderson and BJ Henderson and friends April Disher, Baylie Disher, Amelia Heup, Brian Morczynski, and Nik Nelson.”
Senator Shilling 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 son Warner Risser, his daughters Lisa White and Sara Risser, his son-in-law Doug Falck, and his grandchildren Adam White, Lizzy White and Noelle Risser.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Craig
“Senator Craig joins the Senate after having served in the Assembly from 2011 to 2017.
A practicing real estate agent, former Trustee for the Village of Big Bend, and former aide to Congressman Paul Ryan, Senator Craig brought his experiences to the Assembly where he worked primarily on banking, judiciary and regulatory reform issues.
Joining Senator Craig in attendance today are his wife, Amy, their children; William, James, Henry, Greta, Paul, and Ruth; his parents, Bill and Carol Craig and his in-laws, Bernie and Karen Schulz as well as his sister Mary, brother Paul and many other members of his family who he thanks for their support as well as his constituents and the Lord for blessing him with the opportunity to serve his state in this office.”
Senator Shilling 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 fifth 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, his brother Donald Hansen and members of the Bicoy family.”
Senator Bewley Introduced Senator Shilling
“Senator Jennifer Shilling was elected to her second term in the State Senate in November. The 32nd Senate District is home to the communities of Monroe, La Crosse, Vernon, and Crawford counties in western Wisconsin. The area is known for the natural beauty of the Mississippi River, many rural communities and home to the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and top notch health care facilities. 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.
Senator Shilling has been a strong vice for the values ad priorities of her neighbors and constituents. She is proud to support public education and higher education, including our technical colleges and university system, in addition to fostering economic development and creating family supporting jobs. Senator Shilling will again further her efforts to move Wisconsin forward by continuing to serve as the Senate Democratic Leader.
Joining Senator Jennifer Shilling today is her husband Chris, their sons Nate and Zach, several family members, including her sisters Joy Ehlenfeldt and Dana Sampson, several nieces, nephews and cousins, Chris’s sister, Amanda Shilling, and relatives Bill and Marge Babcock, Ann Elhlenfeldt, and Barbara Wiese. Jennifer thanks her family for their love and support and good humor. Together they attend parades, pancake breakfasts, county fairs, and countless other community events, and after 5 years in the Senate, they are still good sports about it. “
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Oath of Office
Upon the calling of the newly elected Senators on Tuesday, January 3, 2017, the following appeared before the Senate, took and subscribed the oath of office which was administered by the Honorable Daniel Kelly, Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Robert Cowles Lena C. Taylor
LaTonya Johnson Alberta Darling
Sheila E. Harsdorf Tom Tiffany
Luther S. Olsen Mark Miller
Dan Feyen Duey Stroebel
Robert W. Wirch Patrick Testin
Fred A. Risser Dave Craig
Dave Hansen Jennifer Shilling
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Call of Roll
The roll was called, disclosing the presence of a quorum.
Pursuant to Senate Rule 15, the official attendance for session was: Senators Bewley, Carpenter, Cowles, Craig, Darling, Erpenbach, Feyen, S. Fitzgerald, Hansen, Harsdorf, Johnson, Kapenga, C. Larson, Lasee, LeMahieu, Marklein, Miller, Moulton, Nass, Olsen, Petrowski, Ringhand, Risser, Roth, Shilling, Stroebel, L. Taylor, Testin, Tiffany, Vinehout, Vukmir, Wanggaard and Wirch - 33.
Absent with leave – None - 0.
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In the Chair
Pursuant to Senate Rule 2 (1), Senator Fitzgerald in the chair. 2:54 P.M.
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Consideration of motions, resolutions, and joint resolutions not requiring a third reading
hist62970Considered as privileged and taken up. Relating to: notifying the assembly and the governor that the 2017-2018 senate is organized.
By Senators S. Fitzgerald, Roth, Vukmir, Shilling and Bewley.
hist62972The question was: Adoption of Senate Resolution 1?
