Refused to suspend rules to withdraw and take up.
Senator Erpenbach, with unanimous consent, asked to be recorded as voting “Aye” on the question of withdrawing Senate Bill 956 from the committee on Education.
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that all action be immediately messaged to the Assembly:
Messaged.
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Consideration of resolutions and joint resolutions not requiring a third reading
Assembly Joint Resolution 128
Relating to: honoring the life and service of Firefighter Stephen M. Smith.
hist156485The question was: Concurrence in Assembly Joint Resolution 128? Concurred in.
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that all action be immediately messaged to the Assembly:
Messaged.
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Announcements, Adjournment Honors, and Remarks Under Special Privilege
Senator Kooyenga, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of some of the people who have had such a huge part of his 12 years in the Legislature. William Neville was with the Senator for his first campaign and was his first staff person. Nick Bentz joined the team and became a friend. Senator Kooyenga appreciated all his work. Nick Bures, who is currently away on military leave, was the first veteran who has worked for the Senator. He appreciates Nick and hopes he is doing well with his training right now. Chris Rochester, who has been his communications guy, has been great to be around. Chris has become a friend, and Senator Kooyenga appreciates his company, and Chris just found the Senator’s voice. Rachel Vander Wiele has been with him for 13 years. When his first campaign started, Rachel would be at his house, sitting with his now 8th grader on her knee, pushing kids around. She is not a big fan of kids all the time, but she loved the Kooyenga kids. Thank you very much, Rachel. Sandy, who Senator Kooyenga will call just because he needs to talk to her about all sorts of different issues. Senator Kooyenga will never forget the day Sandy was a lobbyist for the Bar Association and whispered to him, “If you’re ever hiring, I’d love to work for you.” He was honored that someone of that caliber would want to join the team, so he is very grateful for Sandy. Most of all, his family has been amazing. Before he and his wife dated, he talked about joining the military. When she asked him why he would not join, he had many excuses. She said, “Well, that’s a great way to go through life is really wanting to do something and never doing it.” Senator Kooyenga drove from that conversation directly to the Army recruiting station and signed up for the Army in a time of war. His wife had kept that mentality throughout their relationship, especially when he got the idea to run for office, and she gave her full support. She’s been so supportive. Senator Kooyenga thanks Grant, his 8th grader. They don’t bring politics into their house. There’s plenty to talk about in the world, but Grant has brought it in. The Senator appreciates Grant’s intellectual curiosity and interest in the Senator's interests and is so proud of him. Taylor, his 6th grader, is so smart and loves everything he loves. He also recognizes Quin, who is in 4th grade, and Ada. His family has only known a life of politics. While it’s been tough, it has also been good. This is such a small part of who we are. Whatever God has in store post this body for Senator Kooyenga, he wants to say that it’s been a pleasure to be here, an honor. He is not a victim because this is not a right to be here. It is an absolute privilege. Wherever we go from here, Senator Kooyenga wants to thank you for you, your relationships, and the state of Wisconsin for the service.
Senator Ringhand, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Master Cheese Maker, Steve Stetler from Decatur Dairy in rural Brodhead, for winning the National Cheese Makers contest for “Cheese Curds” last week in Madison. Steve was anointed as the 1st “Master Cheese Curd Maker” a few years ago. Decatur Dairy’s mottos is “the Curd is the word.”
Senator Ringhand, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of her husband, Gordon, who will celebrate his 75th birthday on 3/12/22 and their 53rd anniversary on 3/15/22, for enduring the 12 years she has been in this body with much patience and support.
Senator Pfaff, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the people of Ukraine. Threats to freedom and democracy should not go unchecked. As a body we cannot sit idly by while dictators invade sovereign nations and force families to flee their homes. Just as the international community has come together, we too should condemn Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. As we adjourn today, Senator Pfaff would like to take a moment of silence in support of the Ukrainian people as they fight back against the unlawful Russian invasion. Thank you.
Senator Kapenga, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Lt. Governor and Senator Margaret Farrow, who peacefully passed away this morning at her home surrounded by family and loved ones. Margaret was an icon in Wisconsin politics serving nearly 50 years in many roles including but not limited to municipal government, the State Assembly, State Senate, Lt. Governor’s office, where she was the very first female Lt. Governor in Wisconsin history and many more. She was a proud graduate of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine High School in Racine and earned her Bachelor’s degree from Marquette University. Margaret helped found the Waukesha Business Alliance, which represents over 1,100 member businesses. Margaret was a champion for Waukesha County and leaves behind a void that can never be filled. Senator Kapenga will be praying for her family and know that all of us here in the Senate send our condolences and thanks for a life dedicated to serving the public.
Senator Roys, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Erin Helen Reed, her oldest child, and congratulating her upon her upcoming graduation from the University of Minnesota.
Senator Darling, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of all of the Senators who are leaving. You are all awesome people are we are going to have such a hard time saying goodbye to you. Thank you for your service to the people of Wisconsin. You’ve done a great job.
Senator Larson, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the Wisconsin Starbucks employees including Hannah Fogarty, Adam Stikel, and Sydney LeBarron-Fahl, who are bravely advocating for union recognition with Starbucks Workers United Chicago and the Midwest Joint Board of Workers United.
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Senator Bewley for the wonderful session we’ve had. Going into this session, he hadn’t really worked with her a whole lot and they have had a really good partnership this session. Senator LeMahieu has gotten to know her pretty well. They haven’t always agreed on policy issues, but it was a pleasure working with her and assuming he is here next year, hopefully the inner ring chooses someone who is just as willing to work with him, so we can try and get things done at least as smoothly as we can next session.
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his dad, Dan LeMahieu, who recently passed away. Senator LeMahieu is grateful for the example his dad set for him. Dan started out as a small business owner. He served on the Sheboygan County Board for a long period of time when the Senator was very young. Dan served on the Oostburg Kiwanis Club and serve as Chairman or President in so many of these roles. Dan spent 12 years in the State Assembly, where many of you served with him. After not running again, he served on Anchor of Hope, giving women the opportunity to find adoption service alternatives to abortion and helped fund that organization. The last 6 weeks have been pretty tough, so Senator LeMahieu would like thank everybody for your many words of encouragement. He received phone calls from the current Governor and two former Governors. When this many people reach out to you, you know that you dad has made a difference.
Senator Erpenbach, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his last day on the floor of the Wisconsin State Senate and particularly to the staff and state employees that he has worked with during his 24 year tenure. He would particularly like to honor the following staff that worked for the people of the 27th Senate District: Tryg Knutson, Kelly Becker, Terry Tuschen, Geoff Gaston, Julie Laundrie, Carrie Templeton, Nancy Bills, Bridget Esser, Nancy Gaulrapp, Amanda Lawton, Scot Ross, Bernadette Holland, Robert Doeckel, Scott May, Kate Constalie, Will Oemichen, Hannah Akbik, Sam Land, Amanda Tomten, Mitch Greenberg, Max Olin, and many other LTE’s and interns.
Senator Erpenbach, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the family and friends who supported him during his 24 years in the Legislature.
Senator Agard, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of her friend and mentor, Ada Deer. Ada Deer was recently recognized by President Shannon Holsey of the Stockbridge-Munsee Nation during the 2022 State of the Tribes address. From becoming the first member of the Menominee Tribe to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and helping pass the Menominee Restoration Act, which reestablished federal recognition of Menominee sovereignty, to becoming the first woman to head the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Ada has consistently stood as a leader and role model for the Menominee community and the people of Wisconsin. Senator Agard remains inspired by her life’s work and will be forever grateful for the mentorship and friendship she has provided her over the years.
Senator Bernier, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of her staff. Michael Luckey, Nathan Duerkop, Denise Richter and Zachary Stollfus. These staff members have provide her support, knowledge and guidance. It would have been impossible to do her job without them.
Senate Chief Clerk Mike Queensland, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourns, it do so in honor of his team: Jeff Beighley, Maggie Bellini, Edie Devine, Meggan Foesch, Erin Gillitzer, Cindy Marecek, Mike Marquardt, Gina Ward, and Tammy Wehrle.
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Adjournment
Senator Feyen, with unanimous consent, asked that the 2021 Regular Session of the Senate stand adjourned pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.
Adjourned.
8:20 P.M.
