1997 Assembly Joint Resolution 24
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of Martin Eugene Schreiber.
Whereas, Martin Eugene Schreiber was born on November 11, 1904, in Crystal Lake, Wisconsin, and died at the age of 92 on January 29, 1997; and
Whereas, Mr. Schreiber attended Zion Evangelical Lutheran School, Boys Tech and the Wisconsin University Extension-Milwaukee; and
Whereas, he began his livelihood as a carpenter apprentice and advanced his horizons by becoming a carpenter foreman, building contractor, real estate agent and director of Surety Savings and Loan; and
Whereas, Martin and Emeline Kurtz were united in marriage on January 15, 1930, at Zion Church in Milwaukee, and they struggled through the Great Depression together and it was Emeline who encouraged Martin when he spoke of his desire to help people and make a difference; and
Whereas, Mr. Schreiber was elected to the state assembly in 1942 and concentrated his efforts on planning postwar employment for soldiers and fighting for the safety of children in state-run institutions; and
Whereas, in 1944 he was elected alderman of Milwaukee's 7th Ward and became council president in 1956, a post he held for 12 years; and
Whereas, he was described by the Milwaukee Journal as “one of the hardest working aldermen in government" with the “ability to conciliate in touchy situations, to bring opposing forces together" and as having a “knowledge of the working of Milwaukee's government that few others possess"; and
Whereas, other than a loss for the assembly in 1940 he never lost an election nor did he ever lose his desire to help people; and
Whereas, Mr. Schreiber retired in 1976 after 34 years of public service; and
Whereas, Martin and Emeline had 3 children; Betty, Martin and Robert; and were blessed with 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, Martin was devoted to his family and was noted for his sense of humor, happy times with the banjo and piano and his love of Lake Ellen; and
Whereas, as a church member, he held many offices at Zion and, after joining Emmaus, was a leading advocate of this inner city church and school; and
Whereas, Martin's wife, Emeline, suffered a severe stroke in April 1989, requiring care at the Lutheran Home, and Martin visited her daily until her death that December, after nearly 60 years of marriage; and
Whereas, Martin carried on until he himself needed assisted-living at Harwood and then total care at the Lutheran Home; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the
assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature salute the many years of devoted public service that Martin Eugene Schreiber rendered to the people of this state, express their sorrow at his death and extend their condolences to his family and friends; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to Martin's children; Betty, Martin and Robert.
