AR27: Resolution Text

SRM:nwn:md

2009 - 2010 LEGISLATURE

2009 Assembly RESOLUTION 27

April 22, 2010 - Introduced by Representative Berceau. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AR27,1,1 Relating to: the life and public service of Jesse T. Alswager.

AR27,1,4 Whereas, Jesse T. Alswager, a tireless advocate for people with type 1 diabetes, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at the age of 13, due to sudden complications from diabetes; and

AR27,1,6 Whereas, Jesse, the son of Tom Alswager and Michelle Page Alswager, was born on September 24, 1996, at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin; and

AR27,1,8 Whereas, Jesse was in the seventh grade at Toki Middle School and previously attended Huegel Elementary School, both in Madison; and

AR27,1,9 Whereas, at the age of three, Jesse was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes; and

AR27,1,11 Whereas, in 2000, on his fourth birthday, Jesse and his family did the first Team Alswager Walk for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, raising $22,000; and

AR27,2,3 Whereas, Jesse's efforts to find a cure for diabetes and help those with the disease included traveling to Washington, D.C., at age six in 2003 with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Children's Congress, testifying before a United States Senate hearing with Mary Tyler Moore, the International Chairperson of JDRF, and pushing for stem cell research in meetings with Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, and Tommy Thompson, who was at that time the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services; and

AR27,2,5 Whereas, Governor Jim Doyle recognized Jesse's work with the Children's Congress during the 2006 Wisconsin State of the State address; and

AR27,2,8 Whereas, for the past five years, Jesse and his close friend Aaron Liebe, also diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age three, have been the Junior Ambassadors for Thunder Run Ride for the Cure, a benefit to raise money for diabetes research; and

AR27,2,10 Whereas, Jesse and his dad were to participate in the Thunder Run ride this July; and

AR27,2,12 Whereas, Jesse reached out to kids nationwide who had diabetes and needed someone to talk to; and

AR27,2,16 Whereas, Jesse was one of the inspirations for professional snowboarder Sean Busby, a type 1 diabetic, to start and run the Riding on Insulin camps for kids with diabetes, so they can learn snowboarding safely, with the oversight of doctors working with the program; and

AR27,2,18 Whereas 1,000 people attended Jesse's memorial service, and Sean Busby came from California to speak; and

AR27,2,22 Whereas, Jesse's mother, Michelle, who served as the executive director of the Western Wisconsin chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, plans to participate in the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes 100-mile bike ride in Death Valley, California, in October 2010 so that Jesse's advocacy will continue after his death; and

AR27,2,25 Whereas, even in death, Jesse has inspired groups nationwide to hold diabetes fundraisers in his name, including 40 people from all over the nation who will ride in his name at this year's Death Valley bike ride; and

AR27,3,2 Whereas, Jesse enjoyed music tremendously, was a talented drummer and guitarist, and played frequently at the High Noon Saloon in Madison; and

AR27,3,4 Whereas, Jesse loved sports, especially skateboarding, baseball, and snowboarding; and

AR27,3,6 Whereas, Jesse was known as "the chill kid" for his peacekeeping ability, infectious love of life, and kind regard for everyone he met; and

AR27,3,9 Whereas, Jesse was a light in the eyes of those who knew him and was a tremendously strong advocate in the face of a devastating chronic disease; now, therefore, be it

AR27,3,13 Resolved by the assembly, That the members of the Wisconsin assembly commend Jesse Alswager for his service on behalf of people with diabetes, both in Wisconsin and nationally, for his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity, and for the joy and humor he brought to his family and community; and, be it further

AR27,3,15 Resolved, That the Wisconsin assembly expresses its deep sorrow at Jesse's death and extends its sincere condolences to his family and friends; and, be it further

AR27,3,18 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this resolution to Jesse's parents, Michelle Page Alswager and Tom Alswager, of Madison, Wisconsin.

AR27,3,19 (End)