Senator Bewley was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the second of four children. Her father was a truck driver, and her mom ran the house. She was the first member of her family to graduate from college. After a few years working in the ocean freight business, Janet went on to graduate school and earned a Master's in Academic Administration from the University of Maine in 1977. And then she moved to Ashland and found her home.
During her varied professional career Janet served as the Dean of Students at Northland College, Executive Director of the Mary H. Rice Foundation and Senior Community Development Officer/ State Tribal Liaison at the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. Janet was one of the original cast members at Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua and continues to perform as part of the Rittenhouse Chamber Singers.
Joining Senator Bewley today are her husband, David Saetre and a number of friends from Northern Wisconsin.”
Senator Shilling Introduced Senator Erpenbach
“Senator Jon Erpenbach, representing the 27th Senate District, is entering his sixth term in the Senate. The 27th District touches five counties; Columbia, Dane, Green Iowa and Sauk with a rich tapestry of diverse communities and geographical destinations, including Devils Lake State Park - the most visited in the state.
Senator Erpenbach will continue his work on the Joint Committee on Finance this session and has also served his caucus as Senate Minority Leader in the 2003 session. Priorities of his Legislative work include advancing policies to improve access to affordable quality health care for all, consumer rights and protections, and high quality education and higher education.
Joining Senator Erpenbach today is his wife Christine Bellport-Erpenbach. Also here today supporting their dad are Joey Erpenbach and his friend Katie Sauer, and Amy Erpenbach.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Petrowksi
“State Senator Jerry Petrowski was born in Wausau and has lived in the area ever since. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 6 years in the 213th S&S Battalion. Jerry has over 30 years of experience as a small business owner, a machinist, and farmer of ginseng, dairy, and beef. Jerry has been married to his wife Ellen for over 40 years, and together they have 4 children and 3 grandchildren.
He was elected to the State Assembly in 1998 and later elected to the State Senate in 2012. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Veteran Affairs and Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Revenue & Financial Institutions.
Senator Shilling Introduced Senator Smith
“Senator Jeff Smith is beginning his first term in the State Senate after serving as one of Eau Claire’s most prolific and respected activists. Senator Smith has worked tirelessly in his community on public education opportunities, health care access and affordability, redistricting reform, protections for water and helping people run for elected office.
I met Senator Smith when we served together in the State Assembly during the 2007 and 2009 legislative sessions. Senator Smith was a leader in the State Assembly on consumer protections, elections, and rural issues.
Before we served together in the State Assembly, Senator Smith served on the Brunswick Town Board as Chair for 6 years. He was active with the Governor’s Task Force for Educational Excellence, the Wisconsin Parent Teacher Association Board, the Department of Public Instruction’s Parent Leadership Corps and the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools.
Senator Smith served the Eau Claire region as a small business owner. He operated a window cleaning business for 30 years. Senator Smith’s community involvement runs deep, and his passion for Western Wisconsin will be a welcomed addition to our Senate body.
Today, Senator Jeff Smith and his wife Sue live on their farm in the Town of Brunswick caring for horses, chickens, dogs, cats, a llama and their land. Emily, their oldest daughter, lives in Tennessee working with horses and their owners. Their youngest daughter Sarah works in politics and most recently helped Sarah Godlewski become our new State Treasurer.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Kapenga
“Senator Chris Kapenga was first elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in a special election in July 2015 after serving in the Wisconsin State Assembly for two and a half terms.
Born in Michigan in 1972, Chris graduated from Calvin College in 1994 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting. A CPA by trade, he later moved to Wisconsin to put his accounting skills to work for Arthur Andersen and GE Healthcare.
A citizen legislator at heart, Chris represents the constituents of the 33rd Senate District while also running a software company based in Downtown Milwaukee.
Chris and his wife Cari have two daughters and live in the Town of Delafield in Waukesha County.”
Senator Feyen Introduced Senator Fitzgerald
“Senator Scott Fitzgerald was first elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1994 and is currently serving as the Senate Majority Leader: he has been selected by his peers to lead the Republican caucus eight times.
Born in Chicago in 1963, Scott later moved to Wisconsin and graduated from Hustisford High School in 1981. He earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1985.
In 1990, Scott purchased and ran the Dodge County Independent News in Juneau, WI until its sale in 1996 to the Watertown Daily Times where he then worked as an associate publisher.
Scott is a veteran of the US Army Reserve: he joined in 1981 and was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Armor Branch in 1985. In 2009, he retired from service at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Scott and his wife Lisa have three adult sons and live outside of Juneau in Dodge County.”
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Oath of Office
Upon the calling of the newly elected Senators on Monday, January 7, 20179 the following appeared before the Senate, took and subscribed the oath of office which was administered by the Honorable Patience Drake Roggensack, Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
André Jacque Tim Carpenter
Dale Kooyenga Chris Larson
Devin LeMahieu Steve Nass
Scott Fitzgerald Janis Ringhand
Howard Marklein Roger Roth
Van H. Wanggaard Kathy Bernier
Janet Bewley Jon B. Erpenbach
Jerry Petrowski Jeff Smith
Chris Kapenga
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Oath of Office
On Friday, December 14, 2018, Dale Kooyenga took and subscribed the oath of office in Brookfield, which was administered by the Honorable Mark Gundrum, Court of Appeals – District 2 Judge.
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Call of Roll
The roll was called, disclosing the presence of a quorum.
Pursuant to Senate Rule 15, the official attendance for session was: Senators Bernier, Bewley, Carpenter, Cowles, Craig, Darling, Erpenbach, Feyen, Fitzgerald, Hansen, Jacque, Johnson, Kapenga, Larson, LeMahieu, Marklein, Miller, Nass, Olsen, Petrowski, Ringhand, Risser, Roth, Schachtner, Shilling, Smith, Stroebel, L. Taylor, Testin, Tiffany, Wanggaard and Wirch - 32.
Absent with leave - Senator Kooyenga - 1.
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Leaves of Absence
Senator Fitzgerald, with unanimous consent, asked that Senator Kooyenga be granted a leave of absence for today's session.
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Consideration of motions, resolutions, and joint resolutions not requiring a third reading
hist96938Considered as privileged and taken up. Relating to: notifying the assembly and the governor that the 2019-2020 senate is organized.
By Senators Fitzgerald, Roth, Feyen, Shilling and Bewley.
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In the Chair
Pursuant to Senate Rule 2 (1), Senator Fitzgerald in the chair. 2:44 P.M.
hist96943The question was: Adoption of Senate Resolution 1? The ayes and noes were required and the vote was: ayes, 32; noes, 0; absent or not voting, 1; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Bernier, Bewley, Carpenter, Cowles, Craig, Darling, Erpenbach, Feyen, Fitzgerald, Hansen, Jacque, Johnson, Kapenga, Larson, LeMahieu, Marklein, Miller, Nass, Olsen, Petrowski, Ringhand, Risser, Roth, Schachtner, Shilling, Smith, Stroebel, L. Taylor, Testin, Tiffany, Wanggaard and Wirch - 32.
Noes – None - 0.
Absent or not voting - Senator Kooyenga - 1.
Adopted.
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Senate Officers Oath of Office
The President, Roger Roth, the President Pro Tempore, Howard Marklein, the Chief Clerk, Jeffery Renk, and the Sergeant at Arms, Edward A. Blazel, having been duly elected by the adoption of Senate Resolution 1, appeared together before the bar of the Senate, took and subscribed the oath of office which was administered by the Honorable Patience Drake Roggensack, Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
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In the Chair
Senate President Roth in the chair.
2:48 P.M.
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Remarks of President Roth
“I’d like to begin by thanking a few people whose presence here today has greatly added to the spirit of this celebration. Reverend Brian Episcopo, I deeply appreciated your opening prayer and thank you for being with us today.
Thank you also to Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Patience Roggensack, for administering the oath of office today and for your service on our state’s highest court.
I’d also like to thank the Appleton North High School Orchestra and Director Craig Kellenberger. I had the privilege of hearing them give an unbelievable performance at a Veterans Day celebration this past November. Your performances today during the reception and this ceremony were outstanding – thank you for sharing your talents with us.
Next, I’d like to recognize the members of the Chief Clerk’s office, particularly those seated before us today: Chief Clerk Jeff Renk, Erin Gillitzer, Sarah Burhop, Jeffrey Beighley and John Gibson. Together with the Sergeant at Arms Ted Blazel and the Sergeant’s staff – you make our lives as Senators easier in immeasurable ways. We thank you for all you do for us.
I’d like to thank all the parents, spouses, and siblings here today who are the unsung heroes in any legislator’s life. I think I speak for every Senator here when I say to each of you that we couldn’t do our jobs without you.
That brings me to my life’s inspiration, motivation and love – the mother of our four amazing little boys – my beautiful wife Rebecca. She’s watching now on Wisconsin Eye and I thank you for all your love and support.
Senate members, I am honored to continue serving you this session as your Senate President – the sixth president of this body since the position was created in 1979.
We have been well served by our past Senate presidents beginning with Senator Fred Risser, who has served as both the longest senate president in Wisconsin history, as well as the longest serving legislator in our nation. Former Senator Brian Rude from Coon Valley served at various points in the 1990s; former Senator Alan Lasee from De Pere who served in the early 2000s, and my predecessor in this position, former Senator Mary Lazich from New Berlin, has the distinction of being the first woman to serve as president.
And then of course there is my district predecessor and mentor, former Senator Mike Ellis. Mike passed away this past summer at the age of 77. He was called a legend in Wisconsin politics, for his unmatched personality and dedication to his constituents. His fight to put his district first and politics second, earned him much respect among his peers.
Mike was a respected colleague to many of us here today, and more personally, he was a good friend.
He spent 44 years in the Legislature — 12 in the Assembly beginning in 1970 and 32 in the Senate beginning in 1982, and has left a lasting impression on this state. He was a former high school teacher at my Alma Mater, St. Mary Central in Menasha, which may have been the reason for his love of chalkboards. He ended his legislative career while serving as Senate president – a job I am honored to hold as I stand in his footsteps.
After announcing his retirement Mike said, "If you can look in the mirror at the end of the day and say to yourself and your conscience, you've done what you knew and what you thought was right, that's all you got." I shall miss him.
