I am very appreciative of the great honor you have bestowed upon me today... and mindful of the weighty responsibilities that go with it. The speaker's office is a goal I have pursued for many years. But now that the goal has been achieved, I realize how dependent I am upon your ideas and counsel, your encouragement and support, for any real chance of success in the months ahead.
I recognize also debts from the past.
Like you, I am deeply indebted to a loving and supportive family, who are here today, and to faithful friends and neighbors, political associates and staff, who have made this ceremony possible.
Over the years, many people have proved to be mentors; but one person in particular stands out.
Nearly four decades ago, a young activist in Appleton encouraged a teenage boy to become interested in politics. Ten years later he invited a law student to work for him in the speaker's office in the Wisconsin Assembly. Six years after that he pulled me out of the ashes of political defeat, asked me to join his campaign for Congress, and eventually took me with him to Washington. Then, as now, he was an excellent role model. That is why I am so pleased to have former Speaker, former Congressman, and current Circuit Judge Harold Froehlich here to administer my oath of office.
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Each of you has similar debts to mentors, family, and friends. None of us has been beamed here to the Capitol by our own power. We owe too much to others.
Four years ago, Speaker Kunicki initiated the becoming practice of inviting members to stand and applaud their families and supporters for all they have done to permit us to serve. Let's continue that fine tradition now.
These ceremonies, including the election of a new speaker, embody both continuity and renewal. We have continuity in the orderly transfer of power, from one person to another, from one party to another, greatly facilitated by the gracious cooperation of the outgoing speaker.
We have renewal as we welcome 12 new members to the Assembly--and elect new leaders who espouse change and propose reform.
But, make no mistake, we are meeting in very troubled times. The recent election was a siren, warning us of a dangerous political whirlwind.
Throughout the Nation, there is cynicism, disillusionment, and frustration with government. People have lost faith in political leaders and respect for the political process. There is anxiety because of a widespread sense that our political system is broken. There is despair that the current crop of politicians cannot fix it. There is anger when the public sees politicians bickering, sniping, and posturing in their little games instead of solving critical problems. The people want and expect something more. They demand action.
These dangerous winds are blowing even here in Wisconsin. And they pose a special test for us in the Wisconsin legislature.
We begin this session tomorrow, knowing that the challenges we face substantially surpass any legislative challenges in recent history.
This legislature was committed by the last legislature to fund two-thirds of public school operating costs by fiscal year 1996-97, an undertaking which will require a billion dollars of new expenditure. We are expected to accomplish this feat after first using up all reasonable revenue growth. We are expected to satisfy this obligation without raising any broad-based tax.
This legislature must also decide whether additional school aids should be delivered through Wisconsin's longstanding equalization aid formula, or whether aid distribution principles should be significantly revised. There is bound to be tension between the universal cry for property tax relief and the universal demand for quality education.
This legislature must respond to the growing fear of crime among our people--by revising the juvenile code, reviewing criminal sentencing, establishing adequate courts and correctional facilities, and even considering the ultimate sanction.
This legislature has been charged with reshaping public assistance programs, so that, in fact, we are able to end welfare as we know it. The whole Nation will be watching closely how we respond.
Whether we like it or not, this legislature will likely determine the fate of the State's four remaining dog tracks...and the future of major league baseball in Milwaukee.
Destiny will probably force this legislature to react to an altered relationship with the federal government and provide us with an opportunity to redefine the roles of state and local governments in the coming century.
All of this constitutes historic work. None of it will be easy. Our continuing task is to retain and enhance public confidence.
In one of his most memorable speeches, Abraham Lincoln borrowed a passage from the Book of Mark to evoke the problems of sectional division within our country. Lincoln said simply: "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
Today, the people of Wisconsin have great expectations about business in our Capitol. Promises have been made. And those promises need to be kept. This house, divided against itself, cannot fulfill its obligations. We must rise above familiar rivalries to a new level of cooperation. All of us should participate in problem-solving. We must come together, in common purpose, to get the job done.
That will be my new goal as your speaker. If we can come together and make real progress on these issues, the members of the 1995 Wisconsin Assembly will become role models for future generations of political leaders. That's if we succeed. If we fail, we are very likely to be carried off by that whirlwind.
I'm optimistic.
I'm very optimistic.
Let's go to work."
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ELECTION OF SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE
Representative Johnsrud nominated Representative Freese for the position of Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly.
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Representative Bock nominated Representative Carpenter for the position of Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly.
There being no further nominations, the speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Jensen asked unanimous consent that all Republican members be recorded as voting for Representative Freese and all Democratic members as voting for Representative Carpenter. Granted.
For Representative Freese - Representatives Ainsworth, Albers, Brancel, Brandemuehl, Coleman, Dobyns, Duff, Foti, Freese, Gard, Goetsch, Green, Grothman, Gunderson, Hahn, Handrick, Harsdorf, Hoven, Huebsch, Hutchison, Jensen, Johnsrud, Kaufert, Kelso, Klusman, Kreibich, Ladwig, F. Lasee, Lazich, Lehman, Lorge, Musser, Nass, Olsen, Ott, Otte, Ourada, Owens, Porter, Powers, Schneiders, Seratti, Silbaugh, Skindrud, Underheim, Urban, Vrakas, Walker, Ward, Zukowski and Speaker Prosser - 51.
For Representative Carpenter - Representatives Baldus, Baldwin, Baumgart, Bell, Black, Bock, Carpenter, Coggs, Cullen, Dueholm, Grobschmidt, Gronemus, Hanson, Hasenohrl, Huber, Hubler, Kreuser, Krug, Krusick, Kunicki, La Fave, Linton, Meyer, Morris-Tatum, Murat, Notestein, Plache, R. Potter, Reynolds, Riley, Robson, Rutkowski, Ryba, Schneider, Springer, Travis, Turner, Vander Loop, Wasserman, Wilder, Williams, Wirch, Wood, L. Young, R. Young and Ziegelbauer - 46.
Absent or not voting - Representatives Boyle and Plombon -2.
Representative Freese was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly.
Representatives Seratti and Powers escorted Representative Freese to the rostrum.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Prosser.
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ELECTION OF CHIEF CLERK
Representative Schneiders nominated Thomas Melvin for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly.
There being no further nominations, the speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Jensen asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly be recorded as voting for Thomas Melvin. Granted.
The roll was taken.
The result follows:
For Thomas Melvin - Representatives Ainsworth, Albers, Baldus, Baldwin, Baumgart, Bell, Black, Bock, Brancel, Brandemuehl, Carpenter, Coggs, Coleman, Cullen, Dobyns, Dueholm, Duff, Foti, Freese, Gard, Goetsch, Green, Grobschmidt, Gronemus, Grothman, Gunderson, Hahn, Handrick, Hanson, Harsdorf, Hasenohrl, Hoven, Huber, Hubler, Huebsch, Hutchison, Jensen, Johnsrud, Kaufert, Kelso, Klusman, Kreibich, Kreuser, Krug, Krusick, Kunicki, La Fave, Ladwig, F. Lasee, Lazich, Lehman, Linton, Lorge, Meyer, Morris-Tatum, Murat, Musser, Nass, Notestein, Olsen, Ott, Otte, Ourada, Owens, Plache, Porter, R. Potter, Reynolds, Riley, Robson, Rutkowski, Ryba, Schneider, Schneiders, Seratti, Silbaugh, Skindrud, Springer, Travis, Turner, Underheim, Urban, Vander Loop, Vrakas, Walker, Ward, Wasserman, Wilder, Williams, Wirch, Wood, L. Young, R. Young, Ziegelbauer, Zukowski and Speaker Prosser - 97.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - Representatives Boyle and Plombon - 2.
Thomas Melvin was elected Chief Clerk of the Assembly.
Representatives Lehman and Carpenter escorted Thomas Melvin to the rostrum.
The oath of office was administered by Judge Harold Froehlich.
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CHIEF CLERK'S ANNOUNCEMENT
Thomas Melvin announced that he has appointed Charles Sanders as Assistant Chief Clerk for the 1995-96 session.
Representatives Freese and Carpenter escorted Charles Sanders to the rostrum.
The oath of office was administered by Judge Harold Froehlich.
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INTRODUCTION AND REFERENCE
OF PROPOSALS
Representative Jensen introduced a privileged resolution.
Assembly Resolution 1
Relating to: notifying the senate and the governor that the 1995-96 assembly is organized.
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By Representative Prosser.
Representative Jensen asked unanimous consent that Assembly Resolution 1 be made a special order of business at 10:01 A.M. tomorrow. Granted.
Representative Freese introduced a privileged resolution.
Assembly Resolution 2
Relating to: the assembly rules.
By Representatives Prosser, Freese, Jensen, Klusman and Green.
Representative Freese asked unanimous consent that Assembly Resolution 2 be made a special order of business at 10:02 A.M. tomorrow. Granted.
Representative Black introduced a privileged resolution.
Assembly Resolution 3
Relating to: prohibiting a member of the assembly from being employed by a lobbyist or lobbying principal.
By Representatives Black, Bock, Carpenter, Notestein, Travis, Ryba, Huber, Baumgart, Baldus, La Fave, Potter, Baldwin and Bell.
Representative Black introduced a privileged resolution.
Assembly Resolution 4
Relating to: membership of assembly standing committees having a minority party member as chairperson.
By Representatives Black, Bock, Carpenter, Notestein, Travis, La Fave, Potter, Baldwin and Bell.
Representative Black introduced a privileged resolution.
Assembly Resolution 5
Relating to: limiting the number of assembly standing committees.
By Representatives Black, Bock, Carpenter, Notestein, Travis, Ryba, Huber, La Fave, Potter, Baldwin and Bell.
Representative Black introduced a privileged resolution.
Assembly Resolution 6
Relating to: the compensation and classification plan for assembly employes.
By Representatives Black, Bock, Carpenter, Notestein, Travis, Ryba, Baldus, La Fave, Potter, Baldwin and Bell.
Representative Carpenter introduced a privileged resolution.
Assembly Resolution 7
Relating to: prohibiting the offering of assembly proposals creating a state symbol.
By Representatives Carpenter, Potter, Baldwin, La Fave, Robson, Krug, Black, Bell, Reynolds, Plache, Notestein, Riley, Wilder, Travis, Turner, Ziegelbauer and Meyer.
Representative Carpenter introduced a privileged resolution.
Assembly Resolution 8
