2003 Senate Joint Resolution 54
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the retirement of Pat Coakley following a long and dedicated career in the service of the Wisconsin legislature as a member of the Joint Legislative Council Staff.
Whereas, Pat Coakley was born on January 21, 1940, in Canton, Illinois; and
Whereas, Pat left Illinois and served the Wisconsin legislature as a member of the Joint Legislative Council Staff, ultimately as the staff's finance officer, under 4 executive secretaries and directors from June of 1964 to January 2, 2004; and
Whereas, throughout 21 sessions of the Wisconsin legislature Pat gave able assistance to important legislative bodies such as the Joint Committee on Employment Relations and the Joint Committee on Legislative Organization; and
Whereas, Pat helped organize presession orientations for new legislators before numerous sessions of the Wisconsin legislature; and
Whereas, Pat carried the Joint Legislative Council Staff payroll system from the Stone Age of pencil and paper computations to the modern computer world; and
Whereas, Pat led the Joint Legislative Council Staff to unparalleled success in "State Employee Combined Campaign" charitable giving by securing various 1st and 2nd place awards in total and per capita contributions for each of the years 1986 to 2002; and
Whereas, Pat ensured that Joint Legislative Council Staff never deposited pay checks prior to their effective dates; and
Whereas, Pat lightened the work of the Joint Legislative Council Staff through her interior design skills, her insightful common sense approach to the staff's daily concerns, her sense of humor, and her playing a pivotal role in social events at various venues, including Dan Field's, Sheboygan Brat Days, the Salad Bar, and the Inn on the Park; and
Whereas, Pat has contributed to the legislature and to her Legislative Council colleagues on both a professional and personal level that far exceeds the job description of a finance officer; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature honor, salute, and commend Pat Coakley for her 40 years of devoted service to the Wisconsin legislature and wish her many fruitful and enjoyable years in retirement; and, be it further
Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to Pat Coakley and to her children, Allison, Kevin, and Michael.
