[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 115 (Thursday, July 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S4546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING JOSE A. OLIVIERI

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today I rise to honor the life and legacy 
of Jose A. Olivieri, an accomplished attorney, determined civic leader, 
and a pillar in the Hispanic community in Milwaukee, whose work left an 
indelible mark on the State of Wisconsin.
  Born in Santurce, PR, he moved to Waukesha, WI, to attend Carroll 
College, where he graduated in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in 
political science. In 1981 he received his juris doctorate from 
Marquette University Law School and, the same year, joined Michael Best 
as an associate.
  Jose's career at Michael Best spanned 43 years of service in both the 
legal and academic profession. He was the firm's longest serving chair, 
leading the firm's higher education industry group and founding Michael 
Best's immigration law practice. His leadership roles also extended to 
the Milwaukee office managing partner and labor and employment 
relations chair and government and public policy group cochair roles. 
His work largely centered around counseling universities on a variety 
of issues and employment law issues and later taught law seminar at 
Marquette University and spoke on employment and immigration issues.
  Jose was also a founding member and past president of the Wisconsin 
Hispanic Lawyers Association. He served on several additional boards 
over the years, including the University of Wisconsin System Board of 
Regents, the Mount Mary University Board of Trustees, past chair of 
Carroll University's Board of Trustees, and National Association of 
College and University Attorneys--NACUA.
  Beyond his work at Michael Best, Jose was deeply committed to 
strengthening his Milwaukee community. Jose was described as hard 
working, humble, and as the premier leader of the Wisconsin Hispanic 
Community by local leaders. He was passionate about education access 
and elderly care and spent his time advocating on behalf of those 
issues. For 40 years, he worked with the United Community Center in the 
Walkers Point neighborhood of Milwaukee, including serving as the chair 
of the board of directors to strengthen Milwaukee's near South Side 
neighborhoods. He also held positions on the Greater Milwaukee 
Foundation, Milwaukee Public Library Foundation, Milwaukee Art Museum, 
United Way of Greater Milwaukee, Lutheran Social Services, and 
Froedtert Health System boards.
  Throughout his career, Jose received awards and recognitions that 
highlighted the work and dedication he demonstrated to his community. 
He was a recipient of the Notable Alumni Award by BizTimes Media, 
Future Milwaukee Community Service Award, Metropolitan Milwaukee Civic 
Alliance Special Service Award, the Todd Wehr Award from the Greater 
Milwaukee chapter of the national Society of fundraising executives, 
the Greater Milwaukee Foundation's President's Leadership in Racial 
Equity and Social Justice Award, the Posner Pro Bono Award, and named a 
Top Latino Lawyer by Latino Leaders magazine. He was consistently 
included on the prestigious Best Lawyers list, including Lawyer of the 
Year twice.
  Jose's legacy is one of professional excellence and dedicated public 
service. Our Milwaukee community is better because of Jose, and he will 
be missed.

                          ____________________