Let’s take a moment and give our families a well-deserved round of applause from the members.

Inauguration Day is always a day to celebrate.

Ninety-nine men and women took the oath of office and became state representatives, continuing a tradition that goes back to the founding of Wisconsin. Each of us serves as the voice of 60,000 people. While we are each elected with a party label, more importantly, each of us has a common goal of doing our very best for Wisconsin. This has always been the case in this chamber, and God willing, it always will be.

Before we begin the new session, it’s important to look back and remember the leaders who have helped shape the significant reforms in our state.

Several former Assembly Speakers have joined us today. Please hold your applause until I introduce them all. Jeff Fitzgerald served as Speaker from 2011-2012; Mike Huebsch served as Speaker from 2007-2008; John Gard served as Speaker from 2003-2007; and Ben Brancel served as Speaker in 1997.

Please join me in a round of applause to show our appreciation for their service.

Former Speakers Jensen, Loftus, Froehlich, Kunicki, and Sheridan were also invited but could not attend and send their best wishes and congratulations as we begin our new session.

This past year we also lost one of our former speakers, Justice David Prosser, who served as speaker from 1995-1996. David was creative, smart, tenacious, and caring and will be missed by those who were privileged to call him a friend and colleague. Will you all rise for a moment of silence so we can honor his memory and service to Wisconsin? Thank you.

We are so blessed to be able to serve in this magnificent building. I think it’s important to have a greater appreciation of the building itself and the messages the architects were conveying to future occupants.

Over a century ago, our predecessors began the task of planning, financing, and constructing this 3rd state Capitol building. The Civil War was still fresh in their minds. If you take some time to wander around this building, you will find plenty of evidence of their respect for the soldiers who fought and saved the Union.

What we now call the GAR room on the fourth floor in the North Wing is named after the Grand Army of the Republic, of which more than 91 thousand soldiers from Wisconsin fought, and over 12 thousand died. GAR was originally used by veterans to hold ceremonies to honor those who were lost in the Civil War.

Over my shoulder is a replica of Old Abe, the mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. Old Abe watches over our debates to ensure that we never forget that many have fought and died to protect our constitutional republic.

The historical nature of today and the jobs that we hold temporarily cannot be taken lightly.

Three years into statehood, Wisconsin adopted the official state motto, "Forward." The Wisconsin Historical Society says the motto reflects the state’s continuous drive to be a national leader.

The citizens of Wisconsin have given us the privilege of being their advocates in state government.

As state representatives, we have been afforded an amazing responsibility.

In this great historical race, we have been passed the baton to be the leaders of today’s Wisconsin.

It’s our time, it is your time, to serve and guide the course of our state’s future until you pass the baton to the next leader.

Our state constitution begins with the following preamble:

“We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, ensure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare, do establish this constitution.”

Before each inauguration day, I re-read the Wisconsin State Constitution. It’s only 17 pages long and takes about an hour to read. I would encourage all of you to do it sometime in the near future.

Can you guess which branch of government is mentioned first in the state Constitution? You guessed right, the branch closest to the people. The Legislature.

While the constitution specifically provides guidance for the powers of each branch of government, it spends significantly more time on the legislative branch.

The constitution addresses the governor in 10 sections and the attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer in 1 section each…but the legislature is addressed in 34 sections.

Our state’s founders clearly wanted to give more distinct powers to the branch closest to the people.

Every one of us comes from a different part of the state and comes with our own set of principles and beliefs but we all share the same constitution, and all recited the same oath moments ago as we swore to defend and protect it.

We must never forget that we are not here to satisfy our personal beliefs or passions; we are here to represent our constituents and their wishes, not simply our own.

So, what will you do with this great responsibility? How will you help carry the mantle of success that this chamber has been known for?

2024 was a challenging year for our country and our state. First, we must all acknowledge that our nation is deeply divided. Ideology for some has become their religion and far too many believe those who don’t agree with them are either evil, stupid, or both.