2015 Senate Resolution 12
ENGROSSED RESOLUTION
Relating to: honoring and commending the remarkable and distinguished service of Michael G. Ellis.
Whereas, Senate President Michael G. Ellis was born on February 21, 1941, in Neenah, Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Senate President Michael G. Ellis worked as a lifeguard at Neenah community pool and had chlorine splashed in his eyes causing light sensitivity; and
Whereas, Senate President Michael G. Ellis graduated from Neenah High School and earned his B.A. in secondary education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1965; and
Whereas, Senate President Michael G. Ellis taught at St. Mary Central High School; and
Whereas, Senate President Michael G. Ellis was elected to the Wisconsin state assembly in 1970 and served 10 distinguished years; and
Whereas, Senate President Michael G. Ellis challenged an incumbent state senator and was elected to the state senate in 1982 and served for 32 years including tenures as assistant majority leader, senate majority leader, senate minority leader, and senate president. Throughout his years of service, Senator Ellis served on numerous committees including the Joint Committee on Finance; State and Federal Relations; Ethics Reform and Government Operations; Universities, Housing, and Government Operations; Education, Ethics and Elections; and Energy and Environmental Resources; and
Whereas, Senate President Michael G. Ellis' service on the Joint Committee on Finance and as senate president was due to his mastery of the state budget and legislative rules and procedure; and
Whereas, Senate President Michael G. Ellis is tied for the longest-serving party leader in Wisconsin's history and is the second longest-serving state elected official in Wisconsin's history; and
Whereas, Senate President Michael G. Ellis authored and passed hundreds of bills which became law, guided hundreds more through the legislative process while serving the body in a leadership capacity, and forever impacted the law of the state of Wisconsin through his work and leadership; and
Whereas, Senate President Michael G. Ellis' passion for order as senate president lead to him breaking the gavel twice while in the chair; and
Whereas, Senate President Michael G. Ellis met Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush; and
Whereas, Senate President Michael G. Ellis retired from the legislature in 2015 and continues to live and farm in Neenah, Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Senate President Michael G. Ellis has been and will always remain deeply ingrained in the rich history of Wisconsin. His legacy is forever woven into the record of the Wisconsin legislature; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, That the senate recognizes Michael G. Ellis' distinguished career and contributions to the legislature and the state of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin state senate congratulates him on his many accomplishments and thanks him for his dedication and service to our state and to the senate.
