January 2002 Special Session
Assembly Resolution 5
ENGROSSED RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of Howard B. Eisenberg.
Whereas, Howard B. Eisenberg was born on December 9, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, and died on June 4, 2002, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Mr. Eisenberg graduated with a B.A. degree from Northwestern University in 1968, and earned his J.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1971; and
Whereas, he married Phyllis Borenstein on August 25, 1968; and
Whereas, he commenced his brilliant legal career by clerking for the late Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Horace Wilkie from 1971 to 1972; and
Whereas, Mr. Eisenberg was appointed state public defender by Governor Patrick Lucey and served in that position from 1972 to 1978; and
Whereas, in 1978, he left Wisconsin to join the National Legal Aid and Defender Association in Washington, D.C., and served as its executive director from 1979 to 1983; and
Whereas, in 1983, Mr. Eisenberg became professor and director of clinical education at the Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale, Illinois, and served until 1991; and
Whereas, in 1991, he became dean and professor of law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and served until 1995; and
Whereas, over the years, he argued more than 300 appellate cases before state and federal courts, including 2 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court; and
Whereas, in 1995, he was named dean of the Marquette University Law School and was the first non-Catholic to serve in that position, which he held until his untimely death; and
Whereas, his philosophy was to always be available to others, and to be ready to help, especially those who were unable to help themselves; and
Whereas, during his tenure at Marquette University, Mr. Eisenberg was called on time and again to help deal with a problem or challenge that extended far beyond the boundaries of the Marquette University campus; and
Whereas, he was widely hailed for his integrity and ability to see all sides of an issue; and
Whereas, Mr. Eisenberg will forever be remembered for his brilliant mind and compassionate heart; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, That the members of the Wisconsin assembly commend the devoted public service that Howard B. Eisenberg gave to 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 resolution to Mr. Eisenberg's wife, Phyllis, and his children, Nathan, Adam, and Leah.
