AJR69: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-3285/1

SRM:cjs:ph

2011 - 2012 LEGISLATURE

2011 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 69

October 25, 2011 - Introduced by Representatives Nerison, Ripp and Vruwink, cosponsored by Senator Schultz. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR69,1,1 Relating to: declaring October 2011 as Co-op Month.

AJR69,1,4 Whereas, cooperatives are independent, member-owned and controlled businesses, organized to process and market products and goods for their members; and

AJR69,1,7 Whereas, cooperatives serve many needs, including credit and financial services, health care, child care, housing, insurance, and legal and professional services; and

AJR69,1,9 Whereas, cooperatives sell food, farm supplies, hardware, and recreational equipment, and provide electricity, telephone, and Internet services; and

AJR69,1,11 Whereas, today approximately 2.7 million Wisconsinites depend on approximately 650 cooperatives to provide these needed goods and services; and

AJR69,1,14 Whereas, cooperatives help grow Wisconsin's economy, supporting nearly 30,000 full-time jobs for Wisconsin residents and recording about $8.6 billion in gross sales each year; and

AJR69,2,3 Whereas, Wisconsin was one of the first states to enact a law authorizing cooperatives, in 1887, spurring the growth of electric, telephone, and agricultural cooperatives and town mutual associations; and

AJR69,2,7 Whereas, the first Wisconsin rural electric cooperatives started in Richland Center and Columbus in May of 1937; the Cochrane Cooperative Telephone Company was one of the first telephone companies incorporated in 1905; and the first grain farmer cooperative started in Madison in 1857; and

AJR69,2,9 Whereas, Wisconsin's strong roots as a co-op state continue today since two in every five people in the United States belong to a cooperative; now, therefore, be it

AJR69,2,13 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That that the Wisconsin legislature declares October 2011 as "Co-op Month" and encourages Badger State residents to recognize the important role that cooperatives play in their everyday lives.

AJR69,2,14 (End)