Senate Joint Resolution 6
Relating to: honoring the life and enduring legacy of Robert George Uecker.
Senate Joint Resolution 7
Relating to: recognizing that the Wisconsin State Legislature supports nuclear power and fusion energy as clean energy sources that are critical to safely meeting Wisconsin’s growing energy demands and declaring the legislature’s commitment to the continuation and expansion of nuclear power and nuclear technologies, the development of nuclear technologies and fusion energy, and employing the leadership and resources necessary to support the development of and investment in nuclear power, fusion energy, and related technologies in the state.
hist201109The question was: Adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 7? The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 27; noes, 5; absent or not voting, 1; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Bradley, Cabral-Guevara, Drake, Felzkowski, Feyen, Habush Sinykin, Hesselbein, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, James, Kapenga, Keyeski, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Pfaff, Quinn, Ratcliff, Smith, Spreitzer, Stafsholt, Testin, Tomczyk, Wall, Wanggaard and Wimberger - 27.
Noes - Senators Carpenter, Dassler-Alfheim, L. Johnson, Larson and Wirch - 5.
Absent or not voting - Senator Roys - 1.
Adopted.
Senate Joint Resolution 12
Relating to: designating the month of March as Endosalpingiosis Awareness Month.
hist201111Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that Senate Joint Resolution 14 be referred to the committee on Senate Organization. Assembly Joint Resolution 2
Relating to: celebrating the 51st anniversary of the American Birkebeiner and proclaiming February 17 to 23, 2025, as American Birkebeiner Week in Wisconsin.
Assembly Joint Resolution 4
Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr.
hist201116Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that Senators Bradley, Felzkowski, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, James, Kapenga, LeMahieu, Stafsholt and Tomczyk be added as cosponsors of Assembly Joint Resolution 4. _____________
In the Chair
President Pro Tempore Testin in the chair.
4:49 P.M.
Assembly Joint Resolution 5
Relating to: proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month.
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that all action be immediately messaged to the Assembly:
Messaged.
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Announcements, Adjournment Honors, and Remarks Under Special Privilege
Senator Wirch, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Tenuta’s Italian Grocery Store in Kenosha, a family run business that has been around for 75 years.
Senator Spreitzer, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his late constituent, Louise Reidenbach. Senator Spreitzer wanted to read two lines from her obituary. “Louise Ruth Reidenbach, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and member of the community, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2025, at the age of 94. For over 60 years, Louise was an active and cherished member of Sun Valley Presbyterian Church, where she organized and participated in countless activities, including the annual canning and sale of mincemeat and the Sun Valley Strawberry Festival, with proceeds supporting numerous charitable missions. Louise also dedicated her time to volunteering with charitable organizations including Church Women United, Caritas Food Pantry of Beloit, and Beloit Historical Society, always seeking ways to give back to her community.” Senator Spreitzer met Louise as a sophomore at Beloit College when he volunteered to join the City of Beloit Appointment Review Committee. Louise had been serving on that committee at that time for a couple of years and quickly took him under her wing, mentored him, and – after he had been on the committee for a year and it was time to elect committee leadership – she nominated him to be chair of the committee and said, “This would look good on your resume someday.” Senator Spreitzer ended up having the opportunity to chair that committee for two years, until he graduated from college and also completed his three year term on the committee. But Senator Spreitzer never lost touch with Louise. It wasn't terribly long after that that he was running for city council – and indeed using his service on that committee on his resume and talking about his service to the city of Beloit in that capacity – and he called up Louise and she told him that while she often voted Republican, that she would of course support him. And of course, city council was a nonpartisan office, but the same was true four years later when Senator Spreitzer ran for the State Assembly. And she said of course he can put a yard sign in her lawn and would make a contribution to his campaign. Senator Spreitzer thought she might have drifted a little bit in the Democratic direction in her later years, but in any case, she always said she would vote for the person and not the party. And certainly, they found great joy in what at the time felt like perhaps across the aisle friendship and mentorship. She was someone who he always looked for at Strawberry Festival or on the occasion when he had the opportunity to be a visitor at her church, and she was somebody who right up until her final days was active in the community trying to help others, was always looking out for how she could mentor someone and help a younger person to get involved and come up behind her. Senator Spreitzer was so grateful to have the opportunity to serve with her on that committee, to have had her support ever since, and he adjourned in her honor today.
Senator Jacque, with unanimous, consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the Kimberly Papermakers girls basketball team, who just won the Division I WIAA tournament at the Resch Center in Green Bay this past weekend.
Senator Jacque, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the Valders High School Concert Choir and Treble Choir, who performed in the Capitol Rotunda today as part of the Wisconsin Music Education 2025 Capitol Concerts.
Senator Felzkowski, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the Tomahawk High School Boy's Hockey Team that won their first ever State Championship earlier this month. A graduate of Tomahawk High School herself, Senator Felzkowski was especially proud of their accomplishment.
Senator Marklein, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his wife Peggy’s birthday on Saturday. Beware the ides of March!
Senator Carpenter, with unanimous, consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of This is It! This is It, Milwaukee’s oldest and Wisconsin’s longest continually operating LGBTQ+ bar, announced its permanent closure on March 9, 2025. Affectionately known as “Tits” and “Milwaukee’s favorite Gay Bar,” This is It was established in August of 1968 by June and Joseph Brehm. When she looked at the building at 418 E Wells St, June exclaimed This Is It!,” thus giving the bar its name. During the last 5 decades, This Is It provided a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community, attracting a diverse clientele. Senator Carpenter played softball on the This Is It softball team. The closing of This is It marks the end of an era for Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ community, and its legacy will be remembered fondly.
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Adjournment
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate stand adjourned until Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Adjourned.
4:57 P.M.
