2003 Senate Joint Resolution 2
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of Senator Joseph F. Andrea.
Whereas, Joseph F. Andrea was born on November 29, 1927, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and died on December 5, 2002; and
Whereas, Mr. Andrea graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1946; and
Whereas, upon graduating from high school, he served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Iowa BB61 and the USS Bremerton CA130 from 1946 to 1948; and
Whereas, following his discharge from the Navy, he worked for Wisconsin Bell as a cable splicer for 31 years; and
Whereas, Mr. Andrea married Olivia Butteri on August 9, 1952, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kenosha; and
Whereas, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Extension in Kenosha; and
Whereas, Mr. Andrea received an honorary Ph.D. degree from Carthage College in 1991; and
Whereas, Mr. Andrea began his career in public service as a supervisor on the Kenosha County Board from1968 to 1976, where he led the fight to establish the office of Kenosha county executive; and
Whereas, Mr. Andrea was first elected to the Wisconsin assembly in 1976, and served in the 1977 to 1983 sessions; and
Whereas, he was subsequently elected to the Wisconsin senate in 1984, and served in the 1985 to 1995 sessions; and
Whereas, during his tenure in the legislature, Mr. Andrea was known as a man of great integrity and dedication in serving the people of his district; and
Whereas, Senator Andrea's leadership was essential to his community's recovery from economic turmoil and led directly to the creation of over 9,000 new jobs and the revitalization of Kenosha as an economic hub at the gateway to Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Senator Andrea will be greatly missed as a renowned booster of Carthage College, the Holy Rosary Sports Night, Kenosha's Italian-American Club, and numerous other civic organizations; and
Whereas, Senator Andrea's legacy is a community and state far better for his service, and his credo of "Don't be afraid to do what's right" and ability to translate that philosophy into results continue to serve as an example of the very best in public service; and
Whereas, during his tenure as a representative to the assembly and as a state senator, he assisted in merging the 3 separate state retirement systems into the current unified Wisconsin Retirement System, establishing utility holding companies, and sponsoring the "Life Means Life" sentencing law; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend the devoted public service that Joseph F. Andrea contributed to this state and his community, express their sorrow at his death, and extend their condolences to his family and friends; and, be it further
Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to Mr. Andrea's wife, Olivia, and to his children, Mary Kishline of Kenosha, Alex of Woodbury, Minnesota, Martin of Menomonee Falls, and Major Thomas of Stuttgart, Germany.
