2009 Senate Joint Resolution 83
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of Russell A. Olson.
Whereas, Russell A. Olson was born on February 19, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois, and died on April 14, 2010, in Holmes Beach, Florida; and
Whereas, he was educated in the Chicago public schools and attended the University of Illinois for two years; and
Whereas, Mr. Olson served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942 to 1946 in the Pacific; and
Whereas, Mr. Olson was first elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 1960, serving in the 1961 to 1963 sessions, 1967 to 1969 sessions, and 1973 to 1977 sessions; and
Whereas, Russell A. Olson was elected lieutenant governor with the late Governor Lee Sherman Dreyfus in November 1978, and was the last lieutenant governor to serve as presiding officer of the Wisconsin senate; and
Whereas, Mr. Olson chose retirement from public office over running for relection or for governor after Governor Lee Sherman Dreyfus announced he would not seek a second term in 1982; and
Whereas, after retiring, Mr. Olson served eight years in the Reagan administration as Midwest Director of the U.S. Department of Transportation; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend the devoted public service that Russell A. Olson 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 a copy of this joint resolution to Mr. Olson's wife, Fran, of Holmes Beach, Florida; and his daughters, Robyn Olson of Bethlehem, New Hampshire; Tamien Zeller of Zionsville, Indiana; and Megan Supol of Crystal Lake, Illinois.
