LRB-2448/2
SRM:wlj:jf
2007 - 2008 LEGISLATURE
April 23, 2007 - Introduced by Representative Van Akkeren, cosponsored by
Senator Leibham. Referred to Committee on Rules.
AJR48,1,1 1Relating to: the life and public service of former Chief Justice Nathan S. Heffernan.
AJR48,1,32 Whereas, Nathan S. Heffernan was born on August 6, 1920, in Frederic,
3Wisconsin, and died on April 13, 2007, in Madison, Wisconsin; and
AJR48,1,54 Whereas, at an early age, Nathan S. Heffernan and his family moved to
5Sheboygan, where, in 1938, he graduated from Sheboygan High School; and
AJR48,1,86 Whereas, Nathan S. Heffernan earned a bachelor of arts degree from the
7University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1942 and a bachelor of laws degree from the
8University of Wisconsin Law School in 1946; and
AJR48,1,99 Whereas, Nathan S. Heffernan served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946; and
AJR48,1,1110 Whereas, Nathan S. Heffernan married Dorothy Hillemann on April 27, 1946;
11and
AJR48,1,1412 Whereas, after practicing law in Madison and serving as assistant counsel for
13the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Mr. Heffernan and his family returned to
14Sheboygan; and
AJR48,2,3
1Whereas, from 1948 to 1959, Nathan S. Heffernan practiced law in Sheboygan,
2during which time he was an assistant district attorney in Sheboygan County from
31951 to 1952 and a city attorney of Sheboygan from 1953 to 1959; and
AJR48,2,64 Whereas, from 1959 to 1962, Nathan S. Heffernan served as deputy state
5attorney general until he was appointed U.S. attorney for the western district of
6Wisconsin by President John F. Kennedy in 1962; and
AJR48,2,87 Whereas, in 1964, Nathan S. Heffernan was appointed to the Wisconsin
8Supreme Court by Governor John Reynolds; and
AJR48,2,119 Whereas, during his tenure on the supreme court, Nathan S. Heffernan was
10known for his excellent relationship with all of his colleagues, characterized by
11fostering consensus and respectful collegiality; and
AJR48,2,1312 Whereas, concern for individual rights, humanity, and the environment were
13hallmarks of his judicial philosophy; and
AJR48,2,1614 Whereas, disturbed by the excessive delays in resolving cases, Justice
15Heffernan was a strong supporter of the 1978 court reorganization that created the
16Wisconsin Court of Appeals and merged county and circuit courts; and
AJR48,2,1817 Whereas, in 1983, Nathan S. Heffernan became chief justice of the supreme
18court, a position he held until his retirement in 1995; and
AJR48,2,2219 Whereas, throughout his tenure, Chief Justice Heffernan promoted equal and
20speedy access to justice, fair compensation for the judiciary, and civility with his
21colleagues, the circuit courts, and the other branches of government; now, therefore,
22be it
AJR48,3,2 23Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the
24Wisconsin legislature commend the devoted public service that Nathan Stewart

1Heffernan contributed to this state and his community, express their sorrow at his
2passing, and extend their condolences to his family and friends; and, be it further
AJR48,3,6 3Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint
4resolution to Mr. Heffernan's wife, Dorothy; his daughter, Kathleen Thomas of
5Wales, Great Britain; and his sons, Michael Heffernan of Madison and Thomas
6Heffernan of Port Wing.
AJR48,3,77 (End)
Loading...
Loading...