SJR17: Enrolled Joint Resolution

2005 Senate Joint Resolution 17

ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION

Relating to: honoring the life and service of Gaylord Nelson.

Whereas, Gaylord Nelson was born on June 4, 1916, in Clear Lake, Wisconsin; and

Whereas, Gaylord Nelson served his nation honorably during World War II, including service in the Okinawa campaign; and

Whereas, Gaylord Nelson served for 10 years in the Wisconsin state senate; and

Whereas, Gaylord Nelson served 2 terms as governor of Wisconsin; and

Whereas, Gaylord Nelson represented the state of Wisconsin in the United States senate for 18 years, from 1962 to 1980; and

Whereas, Gaylord Nelson was the author of the nation's first open meetings law in the 1950s, and was a leader on issues of open and accountable government; and

Whereas, Gaylord Nelson was responsible for legislation creating the national trail system, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, and the St. Croix Wild and Scenic Riverway; and

Whereas, Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day in 1970, an achievement described by American Heritage magazine as "one of the most remarkable happenings in the history of democracy"; and

Whereas, Gaylord Nelson has continued to be a national leader on environmental issues through his work for 14 years on behalf of the Wilderness Society; and

Whereas, Gaylord Nelson has been twice honored by the United Nations, in 1982 with the Environmental Leadership Award, and on Earth Day 1992 with the Only One Earth Award; and

Whereas, Gaylord Nelson was honored in 1995 with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, for his instrumental role in founding Earth Day and inspiring the awareness of environmental issues that was inspired by that event; and

Whereas, in 2001 the Gaylord Nelson Environmental Chair was established at the University of Wisconsin; and

Whereas, in 2001 the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 program was established in honor of his lifelong commitment to public stewardship and the environment; and

Whereas, Gaylord Nelson is scheduled to be honored with an honorary doctor of science degree on May 14, 2005, by the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh; and

Whereas, Gaylord Nelson, though a fierce advocate and a fiery leader, was a popular member of the Wisconsin state senate and United States senate and was respected by democrats and republicans alike; and

Whereas, Gaylord Nelson embodies the spirit of advocacy based on principle, not on personal pettiness; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend Gaylord Nelson for his remarkable life of service to the people of Wisconsin and to the environment of the entire world; and, be it further

Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to Gaylord Nelson, and to his wife, Carrie Lee; his son, Happy; his daughter, Tia; and his son, Jeffrey.