[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E499-E500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        A TRIBUTE TO WISCONSIN'S FABULOUS 14: ``THEY STOOD UP''

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2011

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to proudly recognize Wisconsin's 
Fabulous 14. These 14 Wisconsin State senators took a stand on behalf 
of the people in order to prevent legislation that would strip State 
public workers of most of their collective bargaining rights and sell 
off government power plants without bids. This legislation would also 
grant extraordinary powers to an unelected government official 
appointed by the Governor, who has been a staunch opponent of medical 
assistance his entire political career, to make drastic changes to 
Wisconsin's successful Badger Care, Family Planning programs, and 
Senior Care Programs.
  These 14 courageous men and women, at great sacrifice to themselves 
and their families, fled to Illinois, to the land of Lincoln. In fact, 
these 14 Wisconsin Democratic Senators now share something in common 
with former Republican President, Abraham Lincoln. The then State 
Senator Lincoln left the Illinois Statehouse to prevent a quorum from 
being reached to hold a crucial vote in 1840. Lincoln reportedly opened 
a window and escaped from the second floor of the building. One 
newspaper joked that Lincoln's ``long legs'' prevented him from being 
injured as he left.
  During the senators' absence, the people of Wisconsin were given an 
opportunity to review the Budget Repair Bill and the Budget Bill and 
thoroughly scrutinize its contents of the Governor's proposals. The 
bill will affect every citizen in Wisconsin, and for many middle class 
and vulnerable Wisconsinites; it will be devastating.
  Governor Walker and Republicans in the State Legislature worked 
around the 14 senators' protest to prevent a quorum and the bill was 
signed into law on Friday, March 11, 2011. During the past 3 weeks, I 
have been in Madison on several occasions standing in solidarity with 
the people.
  On Saturday, March 12, 2011, along with an estimated 100,000 people, 
I was on hand to Welcome Back ``the Fabulous 14'' who returned to the 
State after weeks. I could feel the energy, the intensity of the people 
of Wisconsin; teachers, nurses, students, plow drivers, fire-fighters, 
prison guards and dozens of farmers with their tractors gathered around 
the Capitol square. Mr. Speaker, Wisconsin has

[[Page E500]]

undergone an historic change; it was evident in the faces of 
Wisconsinites that visibly displayed their resolve and in their shouts 
of thank you. While this battle may be over, the war continues. I rise 
to give a hearty thank you to Wisconsin's Fabulous 14.

                          ____________________