2007 Assembly Joint Resolution 48
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of former Chief Justice Nathan S. Heffernan.
Whereas, Nathan S. Heffernan was born on August 6, 1920, in Frederic, Wisconsin, and died on April 13, 2007, in Madison, Wisconsin; and
Whereas, at an early age, Nathan S. Heffernan and his family moved to Sheboygan, where, in 1938, he graduated from Sheboygan High School; and
Whereas, Nathan S. Heffernan earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1942 and a bachelor of laws degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1946; and
Whereas, Nathan S. Heffernan served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946; and
Whereas, Nathan S. Heffernan married Dorothy Hillemann on April 27, 1946; and
Whereas, after practicing law in Madison and serving as assistant counsel for the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Mr. Heffernan and his family returned to Sheboygan; and
Whereas, from 1948 to 1959, Nathan S. Heffernan practiced law in Sheboygan, during which time he was an assistant district attorney in Sheboygan County from 1951 to 1952 and a city attorney of Sheboygan from 1953 to 1959; and
Whereas, from 1959 to 1962, Nathan S. Heffernan served as deputy state attorney general until he was appointed U.S. attorney for the western district of Wisconsin by President John F. Kennedy in 1962; and
Whereas, in 1964, Nathan S. Heffernan was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court by Governor John Reynolds; and
Whereas, during his tenure on the supreme court, Nathan S. Heffernan was known for his excellent relationship with all of his colleagues, characterized by fostering consensus and respectful collegiality; and
Whereas, concern for individual rights, humanity, and the environment were hallmarks of his judicial philosophy; and
Whereas, disturbed by the excessive delays in resolving cases, Justice Heffernan was a strong supporter of the 1978 court reorganization that created the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and merged county and circuit courts; and
Whereas, in 1983, Nathan S. Heffernan became chief justice of the supreme court, a position he held until his retirement in 1995; and
Whereas, throughout his tenure, Chief Justice Heffernan promoted equal and speedy access to justice, fair compensation for the judiciary, and civility with his colleagues, the circuit courts, and the other branches of government; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend the devoted public service that Nathan Stewart Heffernan contributed to this state and his community, express their sorrow at his passing, and extend their condolences to his family and friends; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to Mr. Heffernan's wife, Dorothy; his daughter, Kathleen Thomas of Wales, Great Britain; and his sons, Michael Heffernan of Madison and Thomas Heffernan of Port Wing.
