1997 Assembly Joint Resolution 83
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: commemorating the life of James D. Selk.
Whereas, James D. Selk, a legendary Madison journalist, died on November 15, 1997; and
Whereas, he was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin, in 1934; served his country in the U.S. army; and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1958; and
Whereas, in his days as chief political reporter for the Wisconsin State Journal, he earned a reputation for his wit, iconoclasm and ability to scoop the competition; and
Whereas, he evolved from beat reporter to pundit as editorial page writer for the Wisconsin State Journal and as editor, publisher and columnist for Madison Magazine; and
Whereas, thousands of loyal readers eagerly awaited his monthly column "Selk at Large" to see hapless politicians pilloried, trendy ideas trashed and conventional wisdom debunked; and
Whereas, he was gifted with a style that made his writing irresistible even to those few who would quarrel with his curmudgeonly musings; and
Whereas, in June 1997, always a lover of the printed word, he concluded his final column thus: "So this is how it ends. Not with a bang, but with a little tiny dot called a period."; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commemorate the life and mourn the death of James D. Selk and extend their sympathy to his family, colleagues and many friends who will miss him dearly; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to his children; Jennifer, Mark and Michelle; and shall display a copy in a fitting manner in the press room of the state capitol.
