2023 Senate Joint Resolution 96
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Lieutenant Governor Margaret Farrow.
Whereas, former Lieutenant Governor Margaret Farrow passed away on March 8, 2022, at the age of 87, surrounded by her loved ones at her home in Pewaukee, Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow dedicated her life to serving the great state and people of Wisconsin and was a trailblazer for women in Wisconsin politics, being the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor in Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Margaret Farrow was born to William and Margaret Nemitz in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on November 28, 1934; and
Whereas, Margaret Farrow was raised in Kenosha and attended Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine High School in Racine; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow attended Rosary College in Illinois and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and education from Marquette University; and
Whereas, prior to her political career, Lieutenant Governor Farrow worked as a school teacher and real estate agent; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow began her career in public service in municipal government, first serving on the Village of Elm Grove Board of Appeals from 1972 to 1974; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow was elected as a member of the Elm Grove Village Board in 1976, which she served on until 1987, and served as village president from 1981 to 1987—becoming the first woman to serve as village president; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow served the state in multiple capacities: as a representative in the state assembly, as state senator, and eventually as lieutenant governor; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow was first elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 1986, representing a district covering most of Waukesha County and portions of western Milwaukee County; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow was elected to the Wisconsin Senate in a special election in 1989 and served in that seat for over a decade until 1999; and
Whereas, during Lieutenant Governor Farrow’s tenure in the state legislature, she served in several leadership roles, including senate assistant minority leader and senate assistant majority leader, served as chair of the Wisconsin Women’s Council for over a decade, and served on the Joint Committee on Finance for three sessions; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow was sworn in as the 42nd lieutenant governor on May 9, 2001, becoming the first woman to hold that position in Wisconsin history; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow continued her life of public service even after her tenure as lieutenant governor had ended, serving on numerous committees and boards through 2021, including the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents from 2013 to 2017; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow was a tireless leader, and one of her proudest legislative achievements was to democratize access to meetings and activities of the legislature through the creation of WisconsinEye, on whose Board of Directors she served since its creation in 2001; and
Whereas, her life of service was not limited to public work, and Lieutenant Governor Farrow was very active in her church and community, notably serving the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for decades on numerous committees while enjoying fishing and sailing with her family and quilting with her friends, and always appreciated an opportunity to enjoy and share a beautiful sunset; and
Whereas, Margaret especially enjoyed muskie fishing with her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, often participating in muskie tournaments around the state. Her love of her home state of Wisconsin was evident in everything she did and communicated proudly to all through her license plate, “WI A 10,” which she had for over 30 years; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow was a loving wife of 65 years to her husband, John, and a mother to five sons: John, Bill, Peter, Paul, and Mark; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow is remembered fondly for her work ethic, kindness, and service to the state and as a mentor and trailblazer; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin Legislature honor the life and public service of Lieutenant Governor Margaret Farrow and extend their condolences to her family and friends.
Representative Robin J. Vos
Speaker of the Assembly
Senator Chris Kapenga
President of the Senate
Richard A. Champagne
Acting Senate Chief Clerk
