2019 Senate Joint Resolution 62
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Edward A. Brooks.
Whereas, Edward “Ed” Brooks was a lifelong dairy farmer, loan officer, U.S. Army Reserve veteran, loving husband and father, proud grandfather, friend to all, and dedicated public servant; and
Whereas, Ed was born on July 1, 1942, in Baraboo, Wisconsin, graduating from Webb High School (Reedsburg) in 1960, and graduating with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1965; and
Whereas, Ed worked as a loan officer for Production Credit Association, and as a county supervisor with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a short time after graduating from UW-Madison, before returning to the farm and his true passion, dairy farming; and
Whereas, Ed had many other roles throughout his career including 18 years as chair of a Wisconsin-based, multi-state dairy product cooperative, Foremost Farms USA, Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives chair, National Milk Producers Board vice-chair, 4-H Club leader, St. John Lutheran Church Council president; and
Whereas, Ed began his foray into public service at the local level, elected to the Reedsburg Town Board in 1979, becoming Town of Reedsburg chair in 1985 and serving in that role for 34 years; and
Whereas, Ed was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2008 and served as a state representative for the 50th Assembly District (which he referred to as the “Best Assembly District” simply because all his constituents made it the best) for five terms, representing Juneau County and parts of Monroe, Richland, Sauk, and Vernon Counties; and
Whereas, Ed served as the chairman of the Assembly Committee on Local Government in 2017-18, and chairman of the Assembly Committee on Urban and Local Affairs in 2011-16, championed rural and local affairs—working to see that residents in rural Wisconsin were recognized as a valuable resource to the state, and was an advocate for rural schools, funding for rural broadband and funding for town roads; and
Whereas, Ed married his loving wife, Barbara Wolfgram Brooks, in 1966, raising three daughters, Kelli, Lisa, and Julie, together during their marriage of 52 years; and
Whereas, Ed's life on the farm kept him very busy, but when he did find time to get away, he enjoyed traveling by train, with Barb by his side. There were many adventures on Amtrak, as family time was very important to him, and he genuinely enjoyed visiting with people in the district; and
Whereas, Ed passed away on April 23, 2019, surrounded by his favorite ladies, and after a long and hard-fought battle with leukemia, to be forever with his Lord and Savior; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin State Legislature join in honoring the life and public service of Edward Brooks and extend their condolences to his family and friends.
