LRB-4381/1
SRM:kjf:rs
March 2008 Special Session
2007 - 2008 LEGISLATURE
May 14, 2008 - Introduced by Representatives Colon, Zepnick, Toles, Turner,
Sinicki, A. Williams
and Grigsby. Referred to Committee on Rules.
AR1,1,2 1Relating to: the life and public service of Richard Oulahan, founder and longtime
2executive director of Esperanza Unida, Inc.
AR1,1,53 Whereas, Richard Oulahan was born in New York and was one of seven
4children. He learned to speak Spanish fluently because his father worked as a
5reporter for Time magazine in Mexico City; and
AR1,1,106 Whereas, Richard Oulahan joined Esperanza Unida in 1973 and became
7executive director in 1978, and handled hundreds of unemployment claims for the
8organization during the late 1970s and early 1980s. During that time, the
9downsizing trend hit Milwaukee hard, resulting in several major manufacturing
10plant closings and more then 10,000 jobs lost; and
AR1,1,1311 Whereas, Richard Oulahan is credited with revamping the organization to aid
12the dislocated workers in acquiring new skills. The funds and equipment he helped
13acquire led the agency to the "training business" model now in place; and
AR1,2,214 Whereas, he spent more than 30 years working tirelessly and passionately to
15build Esperanza Unida from a small south side agency that initially helped injured

1workers file compensation claims to an organization that won national acclaim for
2its successful job training programs for Milwaukee's poor; and
AR1,2,43 Whereas, under Richard Oulahan's direction the agency grew to 70 workers
4and an annual budget of $3.2 million; and
AR1,2,75 Whereas, Oulahan died on May 9, 2008, at age 60 after suffering a brain
6aneurysm nearly three years ago that left him disabled and unable to continue the
7work that defined his life; now, therefore, be it
AR1,2,10 8Resolved by the assembly, That: the members of the Wisconsin assembly
9honor Richard Oulahan for his dedication and passion, and for tirelessly advocating
10for the poor in Milwaukee; and, be it further
AR1,2,13 11Resolved, That the members of the Wisconsin assembly express their heartfelt
12sorrow and deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Richard
13Oulahan; and, be it further
AR1,2,16 14Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint
15resolution to Richard Oulahan's life partner, Eloisa Gomez, and two sons, Cain and
16Luke Oulahan, and Marilynn Weiland, mother of his children and former spouse.
AR1,2,1717 (End)
Loading...
Loading...