SJR66: Joint Resolution Text

2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE

LRB-3597/1

CMH:emw

2025 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 66

June 6, 2025 - Introduced by Senator Dassler-Alfheim, cosponsored by Representative Palmeri. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.

SJR66,1,2 Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Richard A. Flintrop.

SJR66,1,5 Whereas, Representative Richard Allan Flintrop, a dedicated public servant and social justice advocate, passed away in Washington, D.C., on May 13, 2023, at the age of 77; and

SJR66,1,8 Whereas, Representative Flintrop was born on December 15, 1945, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Norbert and Ruth Flintrop and the younger brother of Nancy; and

SJR66,1,11 Whereas, Representative Flintrop received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh in 1971 and a master's degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; and

SJR66,1,14 Whereas, Representative Flintrop was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly and served from 1973 to 1983 and was the first Democrat elected to represent Oshkosh in the assembly since the 1930s; and

SJR66,2,6 Whereas, Representative Flintrop was actively involved in several legislative committees, including Education, Criminal Justice and Public Safety, and Health and Social Services. He served as chair of the Education Committee from 1977 to 1982, was vice-chair of the Health and Social Services Committee in 1975, and contributed to various Legislative Council committees and subcommittees focused on education, juvenile justice, and municipal collective bargaining; and

SJR66,2,10 Whereas, Representative Flintrop shepherded to passage a historic revision of the Wisconsin’s Children’s Code, which established the legal framework and principles that continue to guide the protection and rights of the youth facing Wisconsin’s juvenile justice system; and

SJR66,2,14 Whereas, Representative Flintrop, though not publicly out during his years in the assembly, demonstrated early support for LGBTQ+ rights by cosponsoring Wisconsin's “Consenting Adults Bill” in 1983, a time when such advocacy was rare among elected officials; and

SJR66,2,16 Whereas, Representative Flintrop, in 1979, ran in a special primary election for Wisconsin's 6th Congressional District; and

SJR66,2,21 Whereas, Representative Flintrop, prior to his election to the assembly, served as a congressional aide to U.S. Senator William Proxmire and vice chair of the Winnebago County Democratic Party and, after his tenure in the legislature, at the Center for the Study of Social Policy and as policy director at Healthy Families/Thriving Communities Collaborative Council; and

SJR66,2,23 Whereas, Representative Flintrop enjoyed gardening, cooking, traveling, entertaining friends, and theater, dance, and symphony performances; and

SJR66,3,2 Whereas, Representative Flintrop was a loving husband to Ben Capistrano for 25 years and a caring companion to Amy and Justine, their two rescue dogs; and

SJR66,3,7 Whereas, Representative Flintrop will be remembered for his intellectual curiosity, commitment to social justice, and kindness, having spent his last weeks reaching out to former colleagues and friends to tell them how important they had been in his life and to say, “Treasure those you love and value each day”; now, therefore, be it

SJR66,3,10 Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin Legislature honor the life and public service of Representative Richard Allan Flintrop and extend their condolences to his family and friends.

SJR66,3,11 (end)