The Senate met.

The Senate was called to order by 2009-2010 Senate President Risser.

"Our Heavenly Father and Our God,

We thank you for the privilege of coming before you on this historic occasion. The Inauguration Day Ceremony of the 100th Opening Session of our Wisconsin State Senate. We give you praise and glory for the many blessings you have bestowed upon our state, as well as our nation, and we seek your continued blessings for this new year of 2011. Without your hand to guide us, we are blind and we are lost; and so we acknowledge our complete dependence upon you for every good and perfect gift that we so desperately need.

God, you are the One who ordains all human authority to govern and guide us on this earth, there is no governing authority established outside of your divine authority. These senators who are honorably congregated here today gather at your pleasure. So for every member of our State Senate, for every woman and man who has taken up the call to serve the people of Wisconsin, we thank you, and we pray that you would grant them the wisdom to govern us with integrity, compassion, and courage. We need senators who have eyes to see with clarity your answers to the issues and challenges that face our people on a daily basis. We need senators who have ears to hear the promptings of your divine leading in the days that are ahead. And yes, we need Senators who will stand as advocates for the poor and the needy, and the downcast, and as encouragers for our business people, our educators, and our civic leaders.

To serve the entire constituency of our state well, we ask that you would grant our senators the gift of humility. May they see the power that has been placed within their grasp, yet may the wield that power unselfishly for the benefit of the people they serve. Truth knows no political boundaries and compassion finds no philosophical borders, so we pray our leaders will have the foresight and strength to reach out in a spirit of unity to accomplish your will. We are hungry for leaders who are filled with moral resolve. We are thirsty for public servants who overflow with great character. In the midst of mounting pressure, we pray that our senate would radiate the light of knowledge and understanding that flows from your eternal throne. And so we present each member of our senate to you, asking for your Lordship and your favor to reign over their lives, their families, their staffs, and the decisions that they will make on our behalf. Father, may your Kingdom come, you will be done.

In your holy name we pray, Amen."

The Colors were presented by the VFW Day Post 7591 Color Guard Unit, the Black Knights of Madison, WI.

The National Anthem was performed by students from the string ensemble of the Beaver Dam High School Orchestra and Beaver Dam Community Orchestra.

I am pleased to provide you with a copy of the official canvass of the November 2, 2010 General Election vote for state senator along with the determination by the designee of the Chairperson of the Government Accountability Board of the winners.

With this letter, I am delivering the Certificates of Election and transmittal letters for the winners to you for distribution.

If the Government Accountability Board can provide you with further information or assistance, please contact our office.

I, David Deininger, designee of the Chairperson of the Government Accountability Board, certify that the attached tabular statements, as compiled from the certified returns made to the Government Accountability Board by the county clerks of the several counties of the state, contain a correct abstract of the total number of votes given for the election of candidates for State Senator, at a General Election held in the several towns, wards, villages and election districts in said counties on the Second day of November, 2010.

I DO, THEREFORE, DETERMINE AND CERTIFY that the following candidates, having each received the greatest number of votes in their respective senatorial districts, are duly elected State Senator:

S2 Senate District Elected

1st District Frank Lasee
3rd District Tim Carpenter
5th District Leah Vukmir
7th District Chris Larson
9th District Joe Leibham
11th District Neal Kedzie
13th District Scott Fitzgerald
15th District Tim Cullen
17th District Dale W. Schultz
19th District Michael G. Ellis
21st District Van H. Wanggaard
23rd District Terry Moulton
25th District Bob Jauch
27th District Jon Erpenbach
29th District Pam Galloway
31st District Kathleen Vinehout

33rd District Rich Zipperer

Done in the City of Madison, this 1st day of December, 2010.

With unanimous consent, the party leaders introduced their respective members as they came before the bar to be sworn in.

Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Lasee

"State Senator Frank Lasee was elected on November 2nd to work for the people of the State and the 1st Senate District. Frank previously served the people of the 2nd Assembly District from 1994 to 2008. He also served as Chairman of the Town of Ledgeview from 1993 to 1997.

Senator Lasee will serve as the Chair of the Insurance and Housing Committee in the 2011-2012 session.

While in the Assembly, Senator Lasee earned a reputation as a Taxpayer Watch Dog and an outspoken fiscal conservative.

Senator Lasee resides in Ledgeview. He is joined today by his wife Amy Joy, four of their six children: Carina, Sophia, Daphne and Annika, Mother June Lasee, Father and Mother in-law Randy and Toni Savaglio, Grandmother Charlette Mullen, as well as other family and friends."

Senator Miller Introduced Senator Carpenter

Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Vukmir

"Leah Vukmir has served in the Wisconsin Assembly since her election in 2002. Today she begins her first term in the State Senate representing the people of the 5th Senate District which includes of Elm Grove, West Allis, West Milwaukee, most of Wauwatosa and portions of Brookfield and Milwaukee.

Leah is a Registered Nurse and Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. In the Assembly, she has been a leader in healthcare and education policy and will continue to work on these issues in the Senate.

Leah is a lifelong resident of the district. Her children Elena and Nicholas, as well as her mom Stella Papachristou, are here today for her inauguration."

Senator Miller Introduced Senator Larson

"The newly elected Senator from the Seventh District represents areas on the eastern edge of Milwaukee County.

The 7th District embodies Wisconsin's greatest values and traditions, including: higher education with UW-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and Milwaukee School of Engineering; economic development with our nation's fastest growing airport; artistic expression with the Milwaukee Art Museum; natural resources with the county park system near Lake Michigan; and cultural diversity with ethnic festivals at the Summerfest Grounds.

Previously, Senator Larson served as a County Supervisor with the Milwaukee County Board. During this time, his major areas of interest included preserving county parks, improving public transportation, and increasing economic development around the airport. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in Finance. Senator Larson has experience as a business manager for a local running store and is a dedicated marathon runner.