[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1718-S1720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATING WISCONSIN ON ITS SESQUICENTENNIAL

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, recently the senior Senator from 
Wisconsin and I introduced a resolution congratulating the State of 
Wisconsin on the 150th anniversary of its statehood. We will celebrate 
that great occasion on May 29. The sesquicentennial of Wisconsin's 
statehood is both a time to reflect on the distinguished history of the 
State and a time to look ahead to the promise of the next 150 years.
  Mr. President, every year that I have been a Member of this body, I 
have traveled to each of Wisconsin's 72 counties to hold what I call 
``listening sessions.'' These meetings allow me to learn more about 
what my constituents think about what is going on in Washington, and 
they also afford me

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the opportunity to continue to learn more about the unique character of 
the people of my home State and its history and traditions.
  In honor of this historic anniversary, Mr. President, I have asked 
children from each of Wisconsin's 72 counties to construct a cloth 
panel which features a person, place, or event of historical 
significance for the county in which they live. These panels will be 
combined to form a quilt to commemorate this milestone. I have already 
been presented with some of these panels during my trips through the 
State this year, and I am pleased by the interest that the children 
have taken in learning about the history of their counties and of the 
whole State of Wisconsin.
  Mr. President, as I travel through Wisconsin I am struck by the 
amount of history that is present in every corner of the State. From 
the city of Green Bay, the first permanent European settlement in the 
State of Wisconsin, which was founded by Charles de Langlade in 1764, 
to Menominee County, the State's newest county, which was established 
in 1961, there are a myriad of larger cities and small towns, villages 
and Native American communities which, together, form the foundation of 
the State of Wisconsin. It is this sense of community that binds 
Wisconsin's more than 4.8 million people.
  I am also struck by the commitment of the people of Wisconsin to the 
State's motto, ``Forward.'' While there is no question that the 
residents of Wisconsin cherish the State's rich history, they never 
stop looking forward to find ways to build on that solid foundation to 
ensure that Wisconsin continues to grow and prosper well into the next 
century and beyond.
  This forward-looking thinking, rooted in the State's progressive 
tradition, is evident in many areas, including education. America's 
first kindergarten was founded in 1856 by Margarethe Meyer Schurz, a 
German immigrant who settled in Watertown in Jefferson County. More 
than 140 years later, Wisconsin is still working to ensure that its 
children get the best possible start in education through the Student 
Achievement Guarantee in Education program, the SAGE program. One 
aspect of this program seeks to reduce class size in kindergarten 
through grade three to 15 students per class. This forward-thinking 
approach to educating our children I think is a model that I hope will 
be expanded to the rest of the country.
  Mr. President, Wisconsin has also been a pioneer in the area of 
higher education. The University of Wisconsin was the first in the 
United States to offer correspondence courses. This effort opened up 
the world of higher education to people all over the State--and all 
over the country. Under the leadership of one of our presidents of our 
university, President Charles R. Van Hise, the university began its 
long tradition of working with elected officials at all levels of the 
State and Federal Government.
  Another area in which the people of Wisconsin continue to look 
forward is in their commitment to serving their fellow Wisconsinites, 
and their fellow Americans. Wisconsinites have served the United States 
in all levels of Government from Congress, to the President's Cabinet, 
to the Supreme Court; they have explored the unknown as astronauts and 
have represented their State and their country as ambassadors. I am, of 
course, very honored to follow in the tradition of such Wisconsinites 
as Robert M. LaFollette, Sr., William Proxmire and Gaylord Nelson as a 
Member of this body. While there is no doubt that Wisconsin's 
representatives to the U.S. Congress have not always agreed on matters 
of policy, we do all share a very strong commitment to the people of 
our State.
  The progressive tradition of politicians such as Robert M. LaFollette 
is embodied in Charles R. McCarthy's work called ``The Wisconsin 
Idea,'' which was published in 1912. This book espoused the benefits of 
returning Government to the people through such reforms as a direct 
primary system and the popular referendum. ``The Wisconsin Idea'' also 
touched on Government regulation and promoted benefits such as workers' 
compensation for job-related injuries. In that vein, Wisconsin passed 
the first unemployment compensation law in the country in 1932.
  Wisconsin's progressive tradition was evident when on June 10, 1919, 
it earned its place in suffrage history by becoming the first to 
deliver to our Nation's capital its ratification of the 19th amendment 
to the Constitution which granted women the right to vote in this 
country.
  The struggle by women in Wisconsin for full participation in 
Government is only a piece of the history of my State, which is so well 
renowned for reform. Many know of Wisconsin's reputation for 
progressivism; but few are aware of the belief of Crystal Eastman, a 
Wisconsin suffragist who wrote in 1912, ``The last thing a man becomes 
progressive about is the activities of his own wife.'' Even fewer are 
aware of the significant role of Wisconsin women in bringing about this 
Federal amendment, a quest that took more than 70 years, in light of 
the public cynicism about the benefits of women's suffrage that 
actually existed during the early part of this century.
  Mr. President, Carrie Chapman Catt, a native of Ripon, WI, was the 
last president of the National American Women Suffrage Association, and 
the founder and first president of the National League of Women Voters. 
Her influence on the direction and success of the suffrage movement and 
her legacy in grassroots organizing is undeniable, as is the role of 
many other Wisconsin women in this area.
  Mr. President, like every State, Wisconsin has been home to many 
memorable people. It is hard to pick which ones to mention, but among 
them are the great architect Frank Lloyd Wright, World War II heroes 
Mitchell Red Cloud and Richard Bong, author Thornton Wilder, escape 
artist Harry Houdini, and artist Georgia O'Keeffe, just to name a few.
  One person in particular who exemplified the determination and 
commitment to the greater good shared by the people of Wisconsin was 
Asaph Whittlesey, one of the founders of the city of Ashland which is 
in northern Wisconsin. In January 1860, Whittlesey was chosen to 
represent his region in the Wisconsin legislature, which was located 
very much to the south of Ashland in Madison. Even though it was the 
middle of winter, Mr. Whittlesey was determined to get to Madison, so 
he walked--on snowshoes--to the nearest train station in the town of 
Sparta, a mere 240 miles from where he was in Ashland. His 
determination to do the job for which he was selected is indicative of 
the spirit of the people of Wisconsin.
  Another such person was Bernard Cigrand, a teacher at Stony Hill 
School in Waubeka, who led the first recognized observance of Flag Day 
on June 14, 1885. Cigrand worked diligently for 31 years for the 
establishment of a national Flag Day observance, which was proclaimed 
by President Woodrow Wilson on June 14, 1916.
  Mr. President, Wisconsin is a patchwork of races and ethnicities and 
is home to 11 Federally recognized tribal governments. The influence of 
the immigrants who have come to Wisconsin and the Native Americans who 
have lived in Wisconsin for many years is evident in the names of our 
cities and towns, lakes and rivers, and counties and parks.
  Wisconsin has played an integral role in American agriculture. As is 
proudly proclaimed on our license plates, Wisconsin is ``America's 
Dairyland.'' According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 
in 1996, Wisconsin's 1.45 million milk cows produced 22.4 billion 
pounds of milk, 2.10 billion pounds of cheese, 295 million pounds of 
butter, 31.8 million pounds of yogurt, and 21.3 million gallons of ice 
cream and lowfat ice cream.
  The state's first cheese factory was built in the town of Ladoga, in 
Fond du Lac County, by Chester Hazen in 1864. Other dairy firsts that 
took place in Wisconsin include the first ice cream sundae, which was 
invented by Two Rivers resident Edward Berner in 1881, and the first 
simple test for determining the butterfat content of milk, which was 
developed by Stephen Babcock in 1890. The United States' first 
Secretary of Agriculture was former Wisconsin Congressman and Governor 
Jeremiah Rusk.
  In addition to its dairy industry, Wisconsin is also a top producer 
of cranberries.
  The State of Wisconsin is blessed with many unique geographical 
features and has been home to many

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noted conservationists, among them John Muir and Aldo Leopold.
  The passenger pigeon, which, in 1871, numbered over 136 million in 
the central part of the state, became extinct in Wisconsin in 1899 when 
the last one was shot. Wisconsin resident John Muir, founder of the 
Sierra Club, wrote of the passenger pigeon, ``of all God's feathered 
people that sailed the Wisconsin sky, no other bird served us so 
wonderful.'' A monument to this bird is located in Wyalusing State Park 
in Grant County.
  Portage resident Aldo Leopold, author of the seminal environmental 
work ``A Sand County Almanac,'' wrote, ``the oldest task in human 
history [is] to live on a piece of land without spoiling it.''
  Some of the ``unspoiled'' pieces of land in Wisconsin include the 
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, the Nicolet and Chequamegon 
National Forests, and the 40,000-acre Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, 
which is home to almost 200 species of birds, including sandhill 
cranes, bald and golden eagles, and wild turkeys.
  Roche a Cri State Park, located in Adams and Juneau Counties, 
includes examples of rocks carved by the erosion of water and wind, 
including Castle Rock, Mill Bluff, and Friendship Mound.
  Over the past 150 years, Wisconsin has also amassed an impressive 
list of inventions and industrial and business credits. In my own 
hometown of Janesville, George Parker was granted a patent for his 
fountain pen in 1889. The first typewriter was patented by Christopher 
Latham Sholes in Milwaukee in 1868. The first snowmobile was invented 
in the town of Sayner and Kleenex was invented in Neenah. The Ringling 
Brothers Circus began in Baraboo in 1884.
  Many Wisconsin companies are household names: Lands' End, Oshkosh 
B'Gosh, the Kohler Company, Oscar Meyer, Johnson Controls, Harley 
Davidson, S.C. Johnson Wax, Miller Brewing Company, Snap-On Tools, and 
many more.
  In addition to its success in business, the state has enjoyed success 
in sports. Names like Vince Lombardi and Erik and Beth Heiden evoke 
memories of championships won and Olympic glory. The Badgers, Packers, 
Brewers and Bucks, and many other professional and amateur teams 
throughout the state, are examples of the determination and dedication, 
teamwork and sacrifice that are representative of the competitive 
spirit of Wisconsin.
  Mr. President, as is evident in these examples, Wisconsinites have 
greatly contributed to the history and prosperity of the United States 
over the last 150 years. I am proud to be a Wisconsinite, and I am 
honored to represent the people of Wisconsin in the United States 
Senate. I congratulate the people of Wisconsin on this historic 
anniversary, invite them to reflect on the state's distinguished past, 
and encourage them to remain committed to our state motto by looking 
``Forward'' to the next 150 years.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.
  Mr. DURBIN. I congratulate my friend from Wisconsin for his statement 
on behalf of his State. I have warm feelings about Wisconsin, as a 
southern neighbor in the State of Illinois.
  I am happy to report that of my three children, one is a graduate of 
Marquette, my son; my daughter is a graduate of the University of 
Wisconsin at Madison; and our third child married a young man from 
Janesville, the Senator's hometown, so we have our bases covered in 
Wisconsin.
  That does not suggest I will be rooting for the Packers when they 
play the Bears, but I thank the Senator for his comments on behalf of 
his great State.
  Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, to some people, Wisconsin means cheese. To 
that I say, yes, and we're proud of it. The great state of Wisconsin 
has a dairy industry that has thrived for 150 years despite our 
country's discriminatory milk pricing policies.
  To some people, Wisconsin means beer. To that I say, yes, and we're 
proud of it. Brewing was among the first industries to help propel 
Wisconsin's economy forward, creating thousands of jobs and incomes 
that supported many families. They were not amused with Prohibition.
  But Wisconsin means much more. As we celebrate 150 years of Wisconsin 
statehood this year we are reminded of the state's rich history, its 
natural beauty and its determined people.
  In 1848, as a wave of immigrants flooded into America, many of the 
brightest among them chose to settle in Wisconsin. The state still 
displays the influence of its earliest settlers, from Poland, Russia, 
Ireland, Germany and Scandinavia. Wisconsin continues to draw newcomers 
because of its strong economy, its first-rate education system and the 
appealing mix of villages and cities that exist side by side. And we 
have the Green Bay Packers.
  Wisconsin's natural beauty is unsurpassed. We are fortunate to have 
as our borders two Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Wisconsin is 
called a `sporting paradise' because of its lakes, rivers and forests. 
We boast fishing, hunting, skiing and world-class golf. Our national 
forests are breathtaking. People in Wisconsin know the value of our 
environment and have worked hard to protect it. Wisconsin's spas and 
resorts and restaurants have earned the attention of glossy travel 
magazines, who have discovered the charm of vacationing in Wisconsin. 
We don't mind visitors because we realize that not everyone is lucky 
enough to be born here.
  Wisconsin residents can relax in a small, picturesque lakeside town 
or explore a vibrant and sophisticated city without traveling far from 
home. Over the years we have built a thriving arts community that 
includes the theater, symphony and ballet. For those of us who have an 
interest in sports, we have exciting teams to follow. For over 150 
years, our state has been home, home to Olympic athletes, respected 
scholars, famous celebrities and great artists. Frank Lloyd Wright left 
us the gift of Taliesen. Wisconsin has an independent streak that runs 
through our economy and our politics, and a work ethic that is the envy 
of employers nationwide. Wisconsin has some of the best minds in the 
country working in some of the best research facilities on behalf of 
all Americans. And we make Harley Davidson motorcycles.
  But the best thing about Wisconsin in 1998 is the same as in 1848: 
the people. Their dedication to family, friends, neighbors and 
community is not a quaint notion from the past, but alive today. 
Wisconsin is a place where families gather for Sunday dinner. Where 
lost wallets are returned with all the cash. Where a neighbor offers a 
ride to work when the car is in the shop. Where friends come to the 
doorstep with a casserole to welcome a new baby or to console the loss 
of a grandparent. That's what we celebrate most about Wisconsin and 
that's why I have tremendous respect for the people I represent.
  Much of what we value about Wisconsin has, in the best sense, 
remained unchanged from its start, 150 years ago. I am fortunate to 
have lived in Wisconsin all of my life and grateful for the 
opportunities my family had. Wisconsin is a great place to be a kid, to 
raise a family and to grow old. It is a reminder of all this country 
had to offer 150 years ago, and an example of the best it can put 
forward in the next century.

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