2013 Senate Joint Resolution 7
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of John C. Shabaz.
Whereas, former Representative John Shabaz was born in Milwaukee on June 25, 1931, and died in Waunakee on August 31, 2012; and
Whereas, John Shabaz grew up in West Allis, where he graduated from Nathan Hale High School; continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956; completed a degree at Marquette Law School in 1957; and joined his father's law practice in West Allis; and
Whereas, John Shabaz was active in the Lions and Jaycees, and in 1965 was named one of the Wisconsin Jaycees' "Five Outstanding Young Men in Wisconsin"; and
Whereas, John Shabaz was first elected to the Wisconsin assembly from the 83rd Assembly District in the 1964 general election and served until he resigned on December 18, 1981; and
Whereas, John Shabaz rose to party leadership in the assembly, including serving as assistant majority leader in 1969; assistant minority leader in 1971; and minority leader in 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, and 1981; and
Whereas, President Ronald Reagan nominated John Shabaz to the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin on November 4, 1981, with confirmation by the United States Senate on December 9, 1981, and commissioning as a judge on December 10, 1981; and
Whereas, John Shabaz served as chief judge of that court from 1996 to 2001, and assumed senior status on January 20, 2009; and
Whereas, John Shabaz enjoyed spending time swimming, boating, and fishing at Okauchee Lake; walking the beach while vacationing at Highland Beach, Florida; and playing sheepshead with clubs in West Allis and Madison; and
Whereas, John Shabaz enjoyed personal friendships with members of both political parties; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the legislature salutes John Shabaz's public service and mourns his passing; and, be it further
Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to his wife, Patricia, and his children, Scott, Jeff, Emily, and John.
