[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16724]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING FORMER STATE SENATOR WALTER JOHN CHILSEN ON HIS MANY 
       YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SEAN P. DUFFY

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2011

  Mr. DUFFY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer congratulations to 
former State Senator Walter John Chilsen on his many years of service 
to the citizens of the State of Wisconsin.
  Walter John is a World War II veteran, serving as a B-24 navigator in 
the Pacific. He graduated from Lawrence University in Appleton, 
Wisconsin, in 1949, and began his career in radio and television 
broadcasting at WLIN radio in Merrill, Wisconsin.
  In 1954 he moved to WSAU radio in Wausau and was the first News 
Director and Anchor for WSAU-TV when it signed-on the air in October of 
1954. Often referred to as ``the Walter Cronkite of the North,'' Walter 
John was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Hall of 
Fame in 2005. Walter John was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 
1966 and served until his retirement in 1990.
  During his time in the Wisconsin State Legislature, he established a 
reputation for his commonsense approach to public policy and for always 
acting in the best interest of his constituents. He was recognized as a 
leader by his colleagues, serving as Majority Caucus Secretary, 
Assistant Minority Leader and, ultimately, Minority Leader. Walter John 
has remained politically active since his retirement from the 
Legislature, serving on the Town of Weston Board of Supervisors. In 
many ways, Walter John has been and continues to be the political 
conscience of the Wausau area.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the many contributions 
former State Senator Walter John Chilsen has made on behalf of his 
fellow citizens, and I ask my colleagues to join me in offering him our 
best wishes.

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