AJR85: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-4661/1

PJD:kmg:kjf

2001 - 2002 LEGISLATURE

2001 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 85

January 16, 2002 - Introduced by Representatives Jensen, Petrowski, McCormick, Kestell, Rhoades, Walker, Gunderson, Huebsch, Stone, Miller, Balow, Jeskewitz, Lippert, Bies, Hahn, Ladwig, Krawczyk, Olsen, Pettis, Musser, M. Lehman, Urban, Plouff, Hundertmark, Starzyk, Turner, Owens, Riley, J. Lehman, Plale, Lassa and Vrakas, cosponsored by Senators Panzer, Zien, S. Fitzgerald, Rosenzweig, Darling, Kanavas, Breske, Risser, Welch, Grobschmidt, Huelsman and Roessler. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR85,1,2 Relating to: congratulating Brenda J. Blanchard for her long-term service to the citizens of Wisconsin and wishing her well in her future endeavors.

AJR85,1,4 Whereas, Brenda Blanchard's last day as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce was August 31, 2001; and

AJR85,1,8 Whereas, Brenda Blanchard was appointed by Governor Tommy G. Thompson on December 30, 1998, and by Governor Scott McCallum on February 12, 2001, as secretary of the Department of Commerce, which has 474 employees and a budget totaling $193,000,000; and

AJR85,1,14 Whereas, as secretary, Ms. Blanchard worked with the governor and legislature to focus the state's economic development policies on the creation of high-paying jobs and increased private investment with the establishment of the Wisconsin Technology and Entrepreneurs Council, the creation of the Office of Science and Technology, the development of the Certified Capital Company Program, and various international trade and venture capital missions; and

AJR85,2,4 Whereas, during her time as secretary, Ms. Blanchard approved nearly 1,800 Department of Commerce grant and loan awards for business and community projects that created and retained more than 65,000 jobs and leveraged over $2,500,000,000 in additional funds; and

AJR85,2,10 Whereas, as secretary, she established a partnership with the University of Wisconsin System Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), through which the Department of Commerce would fund 75% of the costs to entrepreneurs of taking University of Wisconsin System SBDC courses to guide them through the development of their own business plans, and approved more than 330 awards in the program's first year of operation; and

AJR85,2,14 Whereas, under Ms. Blanchard's leadership as secretary, the Department of Commerce assumed responsibility for low-risk and medium-risk petroleum contaminated sites (65% of the total) and streamlined procedures for the closure of these sites; and

AJR85,2,17 Whereas, as secretary, she successfully led the Department of Commerce in resolving contentious issues such as the promulgation of the revised Septic System Code and model Building and Fire Code; and

AJR85,2,21 Whereas, Brenda Blanchard served from 1996 to 1998 as the president of Forward Wisconsin, Inc., the state's business attraction organization responsible for marketing outside Wisconsin to attract new businesses, jobs, and investment to this state; and

AJR85,2,25 Whereas, she was the executive assistant at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development from 1995 to 1996, focusing on private sector support for the state's new comprehensive employment and training system and support for welfare reform in Wisconsin; and

AJR85,3,4 Whereas, Brenda Blanchard was the deputy secretary at the Wisconsin Department of Development from 1993 to 1995, facilitating overall agency management and directing the agency's programs in community development, manufacturing competitiveness, and statewide recycling development; and

AJR85,3,8 Whereas, she served as the president of the Greater Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce from 1987 to 1993, where her programming strengths included regional economic development, transportation, organization development, and community leadership training; now, therefore, be it

AJR85,3,12 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature applaud the career of Brenda J. Blanchard, thank her for her public service, and extend best wishes to her in her future endeavors; and, be it further

AJR85,3,14 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to Brenda J. Blanchard.

AJR85,3,15 (End)