AJR14: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-1820/1

EJG:wlj

2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

2019 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 14

March 15, 2019 - Introduced by Representatives Skowronski, Brandtjen, Brostoff, Crowley, Hesselbein, Horlacher, Knodl, Kuglitsch, Kurtz, Magnafici, Murphy, Sargent, Sinicki, Snyder, Sortwell, Spiros, Spreitzer, Subeck, Tauchen, Thiesfeldt, Tusler, Vorpagel and Wichgers, cosponsored by Senators Petrowski, Carpenter, Hansen, Jacque, Miller, Nass, Olsen, Ringhand, Wanggaard and Wirch. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR14,1,1 Relating to: the public service of Major General Raymond A. Matera.

AJR14,1,4 Whereas, Major General Raymond A. Matera served as Wisconsin's adjutant general from 1979 to 1989 and passed away Thursday, January 31, 2019, at the age of 94; and

AJR14,1,7 Whereas, Matera began his service in the United States military in 1943, when the U.S. Marines Corps deployed him to the South Pacific as an aerial gunner and infantryman; and

AJR14,1,9 Whereas, Matera's time in the military included service in the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the Wisconsin Air National Guard; and

AJR14,1,13 Whereas, Matera joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 1954, was appointed as chief of staff in 1971, was promoted to brigadier general in 1973, was promoted to major general in 1976, and was appointed to the esteemed position of adjutant general in 1979; and

AJR14,2,3 Whereas, Matera served two terms as the adjutant general to the Wisconsin Air National Guard and during his tenure worked tirelessly to also support the Wisconsin Army National Guard for which enlistment was in decline; and

AJR14,2,6 Whereas, Matera worked with Wisconsin mayors and congressmen and congresswomen to raise support for the Wisconsin Army National Guard, which in 1986 during the Cold War deployed to Germany; and

AJR14,2,11 Whereas, Matera's enduring dedication to state and country was recognized with many accolades, including the first Wisconsin National Guard Distinguished Service Medal, and he was the only Wisconsin Air National Guard member inducted into the Wisconsin Army National Guard Hall of Honor and the fourth Air National Guard recipient of the U.S. Air Force Order of the Sword; and

AJR14,2,14 Whereas, Matera's fervor for public service lead him to serve as the vice president of the National Guard Association of the United States in 1982 and as president in 1984; and

AJR14,2,16 Whereas, in later years, Matera was active in the nonprofit organization Honor Flight, which was created to honor America's veterans for their sacrifices; and

AJR14,2,18 Whereas, Matera valiantly committed himself to protect and faithfully serve his country, and he will be deeply missed; and

AJR14,2,22 Whereas, Major General Matera was the cherished husband of Janet Matera, father of Terry, Eugene, Steve, and Rae Anne, grandfather of ten, and great-grandfather of six, who are all proud to have known him and appreciate his unwavering devotion to family and country; now, therefore, be it

AJR14,2,25 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin Legislature honors the remarkable life of Major General Raymond A. Matera and extends its sincere sympathies to his family, friends, and comrades; and, be it further

AJR14,3,2 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall transmit a copy of this joint resolution to Major General Matera's family.

AJR14,3,3 (End)