SRM:nwn:md
2009 - 2010 LEGISLATURE
April 22, 2010 - Introduced by Representative Berceau. Referred to Committee on
Rules.
AR27,1,1 1Relating to: the life and public service of Jesse T. Alswager.
AR27,1,42 Whereas, Jesse T. Alswager, a tireless advocate for people with type 1 diabetes,
3passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at the age of 13, due to
4sudden complications from diabetes; and
AR27,1,65 Whereas, Jesse, the son of Tom Alswager and Michelle Page Alswager, was born
6on September 24, 1996, at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin; and
AR27,1,87 Whereas, Jesse was in the seventh grade at Toki Middle School and previously
8attended Huegel Elementary School, both in Madison; and
AR27,1,99 Whereas, at the age of three, Jesse was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes; and
AR27,1,1110 Whereas, in 2000, on his fourth birthday, Jesse and his family did the first Team
11Alswager Walk for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, raising $22,000; and
AR27,2,312 Whereas, Jesse's efforts to find a cure for diabetes and help those with the
13disease included traveling to Washington, D.C., at age six in 2003 with the Juvenile
14Diabetes Research Foundation Children's Congress, testifying before a United
15States Senate hearing with Mary Tyler Moore, the International Chairperson of

1JDRF, and pushing for stem cell research in meetings with Senators Russ Feingold
2and Herb Kohl, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, and Tommy Thompson, who was
3at that time the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services; and
AR27,2,54 Whereas, Governor Jim Doyle recognized Jesse's work with the Children's
5Congress during the 2006 Wisconsin State of the State address; and
AR27,2,86 Whereas, for the past five years, Jesse and his close friend Aaron Liebe, also
7diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age three, have been the Junior Ambassadors for
8Thunder Run Ride for the Cure, a benefit to raise money for diabetes research; and
AR27,2,109 Whereas, Jesse and his dad were to participate in the Thunder Run ride this
10July; and
AR27,2,1211 Whereas, Jesse reached out to kids nationwide who had diabetes and needed
12someone to talk to; and
AR27,2,1613 Whereas, Jesse was one of the inspirations for professional snowboarder Sean
14Busby, a type 1 diabetic, to start and run the Riding on Insulin camps for kids with
15diabetes, so they can learn snowboarding safely, with the oversight of doctors
16working with the program; and
AR27,2,1817 Whereas 1,000 people attended Jesse's memorial service, and Sean Busby came
18from California to speak; and
AR27,2,2219 Whereas, Jesse's mother, Michelle, who served as the executive director of the
20Western Wisconsin chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, plans to
21participate in the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes 100-mile bike ride in Death Valley,
22California, in October 2010 so that Jesse's advocacy will continue after his death; and
AR27,2,2523 Whereas, even in death, Jesse has inspired groups nationwide to hold diabetes
24fundraisers in his name, including 40 people from all over the nation who will ride
25in his name at this year's Death Valley bike ride; and
AR27,3,2
1Whereas, Jesse enjoyed music tremendously, was a talented drummer and
2guitarist, and played frequently at the High Noon Saloon in Madison; and
AR27,3,43 Whereas, Jesse loved sports, especially skateboarding, baseball, and
4snowboarding; and
AR27,3,65 Whereas, Jesse was known as "the chill kid" for his peacekeeping ability,
6infectious love of life, and kind regard for everyone he met; and
AR27,3,97 Whereas, Jesse was a light in the eyes of those who knew him and was a
8tremendously strong advocate in the face of a devastating chronic disease; now,
9therefore, be it
AR27,3,13 10Resolved by the assembly, That the members of the Wisconsin assembly
11commend Jesse Alswager for his service on behalf of people with diabetes, both in
12Wisconsin and nationally, for his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity, and for
13the joy and humor he brought to his family and community; and, be it further
AR27,3,15 14Resolved, That the Wisconsin assembly expresses its deep sorrow at Jesse's
15death and extends its sincere condolences to his family and friends; and, be it further
AR27,3,18 16Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this resolution
17to Jesse's parents, Michelle Page Alswager and Tom Alswager, of Madison,
18Wisconsin.
AR27,3,1919 (End)
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