AR11: Resolution Text

LRB-2704/1

JKS:wlj

2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE

2023 Assembly RESOLUTION 11

May 12, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives Kurtz, Novak, Spiros, Conley, Murphy, Subeck and Ohnstad. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AR11,1,1 Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Joanne Duren.

AR11,1,4 Whereas, Joanne Duren was a vocal and independent-minded member of the Wisconsin State Assembly who served her constituents in southwest Wisconsin from the 1971 to 1981 legislative sessions; and

AR11,1,6 Whereas, Joanne Duren was born in Cazenovia, Richland County, Wisconsin, on October 11, 1931, to Frank and Henrietta Duren; and

AR11,1,9 Whereas, after graduating from Madison Business College in 1950, Joanne Duren worked in various secretarial positions before operating her own secretarial business in the late 1960s; and

AR11,1,11 Whereas, working as a secretary in the Wisconsin Legislature, Joanne Duren observed state government firsthand and was inspired to run for office; and

AR11,1,13 Whereas, Joanne Duren won her bid to represent Iowa and Richland Counties in November 1970, becoming the first woman to represent both counties; and

AR11,2,3 Whereas, Joanne Duren advocated for farmers, supporting a proposed constitutional amendment to assess agricultural lands differently for the purposes of imposing property taxes; and

AR11,2,6 Whereas, Joanne Duren also successfully pushed for legislation establishing a state veterinary school and designating the dairy cow as the state's domestic animal; and

AR11,2,9 Whereas, her other efforts included reforming capital gains taxes, limiting smoking in public places, requiring smoke detectors in new residences, and making mobile homes safer; and

AR11,2,12 Whereas, Joanne Duren served in Democratic caucus leadership and chaired various committees, including Tourism and Economic Development and State-Federal Relations; and

AR11,2,14 Whereas, Joanne Duren was fiercely independent, committed to the Democratic Party but willing to break with Democrats on controversial issues; and

AR11,2,17 Whereas, throughout her career, Joanne Duren kept her constituents informed of the activities of the legislature on her Sunday morning Assembly Reports radio broadcast; and

AR11,2,20 Whereas, after losing her bid for reelection in November 1982, Joanne Duren served as the Chief Clerk of the Wisconsin State Assembly during the 1983 and 1985 legislative sessions; and

AR11,2,23 Whereas, following her career as a public servant in Wisconsin, Joanne Duren moved to Tucson, Arizona, where she enriched her community with volunteer work at her church and other charitable organizations; and

AR11,2,25 Whereas, Joanne Duren passed away on November 26, 2022, at the age of 91; now, therefore, be it

AR11,3,3 Resolved by the assembly, That the members of the Wisconsin Assembly mourn the passing of Representative Joanne Duren and celebrate her accomplishments as a legislator.

AR11,3,4 (End)