Our Representatives

Representative Garey Bies

Bies (R-Sister Bay) has been named “Legislator of the Year” by the Wisconsin Professional Police Association. Bies was chosen, along with Senator Jerry Petrowski, for his commitment to protect and promote public safety and the welfare of the officers who serve our communities. This session, Bies worked closely with the Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA) and other law enforcement groups to pass legislation that establishes a procedure for investigating a death of an individual that involves a police-officer. Under the new law, every law enforcement agency in the state is required to have an outside agency take the lead on investigating these critical incidents. While drafting the legislation, Bies brought together several law enforcement groups, prosecutors, families of the deceased, UW law professors, and community advocates to find consensus on language for the bill. A year and half later, the governor signed the bill into law making Wisconsin the first state in the nation to require an independent investigation of officer-involved deaths. In recognizing the legislators for the award, Jim Palmer, executive director of WPPA said, “It is clear that Garey Bies and Jerry Petrowski have worked tirelessly to make Wisconsin safer.” He added, “It is critically important that the public have faith in the jobs that our dedicated law enforcement officers do to keep our communities safe. This new law effectively serves that end, and Rep. Bies and Sen. Petrowski deserve recognition for their leadership.”

Source:  Bies press release

Governor Scott Walker

On Aug. 12, Walker delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of Farm Technology Days in Portage County. The three-day event showcases the latest research findings and technological developments in the agricultural production industry. “We are proud to be America’s Dairyland, and we are also a leading exporter of ginseng, cranberries, corn and whey. The agriculture industry is crucial to our economy and we are committed to helping our hard-working farmers remain on the cutting edge of technology,” Governor Walker said. “I thank the Zakrzewski and Feltz families for generously hosting this year’s Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.” Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, launched in 1954, is the largest agricultural show in the state.

Source:  Walker press release

Senator Tammy Baldwin

Baldwin recently voted for bipartisan reform legislation to bring accountability to the Department of Veterans Affairs and to expand veterans’ access to timely and quality health care. “Our brave men and women in uniform make great sacrifices on our behalf. I believe we have a shared responsibility to ensure that when they return home, they have access to the care they need and the benefits they’ve earned and deserve,” said Baldwin. “Today we took bipartisan action to bring accountability to the VA and make needed improvements to the delivery of veterans’ health care.” The bipartisan VA reform bill was authored by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Jeff Miller (R-Fla.). Baldwin was also a co-sponsor of the bipartisan Ensuring Veterans Access to Care Act, which passed the Senate 93-6 in June and was the base for the compromise VA reform bill that passed the Senate. In addition, Baldwin cosponsored bipartisan legislation, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014.

Source:  Baldwin press release

Senator Ron Johnson

President Barack Obama’s “bugging out of Iraq, not leaving a stabilizing force behind,” was an “incredibly stupid and historic blunder” that led to ISIS’ campaign of terror, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson said on Newsmax TV’s “America’s Forum.” “President Obama’s strategy has always been hope and wishful thinking, but we all know that hope is not a strategy and wishful thinking is not good military tactics,” Johnson said on Aug. 11.

Source:  NEWSMAX

President Barack Obama

President Obama released a statement after the passing of legendary stand-up comedian and actor Robin Williams:  “Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien – but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most – from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our own streets. The Obama family offers our condolences to Robin’s family, his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks to Robin Williams.”

Source:  Obama press release