The Senate met pursuant to a motion adopted by the committee on Senate Organization taken on Thursday, July 12, 2012.

The Chief Clerk read the certification of election from the Government Accountability Board.

With unanimous consent, Senators Lehman and Petrowski were introduced by their respective leaders and came before the bar to be sowrn in.

Senator Miller Introduced Senator Lehman

"It is with great pleasure that I introduce John Lehman to the body. Senator Lehman is a Racine native, has has deep roots in Racine and was a graduate of Park High School.

Senator Lehman has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College and a Masters degree from Carthage College. He has been a teacher in the community for 24 years and served as an alderman in Racine for 12 years. Senator Lehman also served as Racine City Council President for 2 years.

Senator Lehman served as a State Representative in the Assembly for 10 years, and here as a State Senator from 2006 to 2010.

Please welcome our new State Senator, Senator John Lehman."

Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Petrowski

"Jerry Petrowski is new to the Senate but has a long history of service to the people of North-Central Wisconsin as the Representative from the 86th Assembly District.

Born and raised in Marathon County, Jerry farmed ginseng, dairy, and beef for thirty years, worked nine years as a machinist, and served six years in the Army Reserve.

In the Assembly, Jerry earned a reputation for hard work, and as Chairman of the Assembly Highway Safety and Transportation Committees has been known as a fair arbiter and problem solver.

He has always focused on issues that directly impacted people in his home area and is seen as a strong leader on transportation, agriculture, and rural affairs.

Please join me in welcoming Jerry Petrowski to the State Senate."

Upon the calling of the newly elected Senators on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, the following appeared before the Senate, took and subscribed a ceremonial oath of office which was administered by the Honorable Justice Ann Walsh Bradley of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

John Lehman - 21st Senate District

Jerrry Petrowski - 29th Senate District

Please see the June 27, 2012 Journal for Senator Petrowski's official oath of office and the July 16, 2012 Journal for Senator Lehman's official oath of office.

The roll was called, disclosing the presence of a quorum.

Pursuant to Senate Rule 15, the official attendance for session was:

Absent - None.

Absent with leave - None.

The Senate stood for a moment of silence.

Senator Miller, with unanimous consent, nominated Senator Fred Risser for the position of the President of the Senate.

There being no further nominations, President Ellis declared nominations closed.

Senator Miller, with unanimous consent, asked that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Senate recorded as voting for Senator Fred Risser as Senate President. Granted.

S877 For Senator Fred Risser: Senators Carpenter, S. Coggs, Cowles, T. Cullen, Darling, Ellis, Erpenbach, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Hansen, Harsdorf, Holperin, Jauch, Kedzie, King, C. Larson, Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, Lehman, Leibham, Miller, Moulton, Olsen, Petrowski, Risser, Schultz, Shilling, Taylor, Vinehout, Vukmir, Wirch and Zipperer - 33.

Absent - None.

Senator Fred Risser was elected Senate President.

Senator Miller, with unanimous consent, nominated Senator Tim Carpenter for the position of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

There being no further nominations, President Ellis declared nominations closed.

Senator Miller, with unanimous consent, asked that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Senate recorded as voting for Senator Tim Carpenter as Senate President Pro Tempore. Granted.

For Senator Tim Carpenter: Senators Carpenter, S. Coggs, Cowles, T. Cullen, Darling, Ellis, Erpenbach, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Hansen, Harsdorf, Holperin, Jauch, Kedzie, King, C. Larson, Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, Lehman, Leibham, Miller, Moulton, Olsen, Petrowski, Risser, Schultz, Shilling, Taylor, Vinehout, Vukmir, Wirch and Zipperer - 33.

Absent - None.

Senator Tim Carpenter was elected Senate President Pro Tempore.

The President, Fred Risser and the President Pro Tempore, Tim Carpenter, having been duly elected, appeared together before the bar of the Senate and took and subscribed the oath of office which was administered by the Honorable Justice Ann Walsh Bradley of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

President Risser in the Chair.

President Risser, with unanimous consent, opened up the floor for adjournment honors.

Senator Lehman, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Carl and Tracey Reiche of Monticello, who were in the gallery today and in memory of Senator Lehman's Uncle Bud, Carl's father.

Senator Lehman, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Jim and Margo Drummond, neighbors from Racine, Margo, a retired teacher, has long served the Racine community as an active member of the Racine Cemetery Commission. Jim, a retired attorney and court commissioner, joined Margo in the Senate gallery today.

Senator Harsdorf, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in memory of the three little girls; Amara, Sophie and Cecilia, whose lives were tragically taken one week ago. This tragedy has shocked the River Falls community and beyond and left us with heavy hearts. The Senator would ask that you keep the family, friends and community in your thoughts and prayers. Please Pray for healing for all those who are grieving.

Senator King, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Shirley Mattox, who is a distinguished, selfless leader in the Oshkosh community. Shirley served honorably on the Oshkosh Common Council for three consecutive terms from 2001 to 2007. Shirley has been an active member of the DNR Urban Forestry Council since 2008 where she has worked to create partnerships with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundations' Taking Root Fund to raise $500,000 for community tree planting. Shirley is committed to the promotion of arts in the Oshkosh community, which is shown through her patronage to local arts organizations. She has worked with the Helen Farnsworth Mears Art Contest which encourages young student artists and Shirley has helped with the creation of an Oshkosh Women's Art Club. In addition to all the work Shirley has done in the Oshkosh community, Shirley has devoted her career to teaching the youth of the Oshkosh area through elementary music education.

Senator King, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of her friend and colleague, Representative Richard "Dick" Spanbauer. Earlier this year, Representative Spanbauer announced that he would not seek re-election after serving two terms representing the 53rd Assembly District. Above all else, Spanbauer represented the best interest of his district. Representative Spanbauer and Senator King worked on Senate Bill 18 together, legislation that honors the service of law enforcement and corrections officers who lose their lives in the line of duty, and they proposed a new bi-partisan military veterans committee with to evaluate obstacles to reintegration of the workforce faced by Wisconsin's post 9/11 veterans and held a public hearing to gather personal stories and opinions from the community on this vital issue. Dick Spanbauer served us honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, as a local elected official in the Town of Algoma and Omro, and as a representative to the 53rd Assembly District. Senator King wants to thank him for his service and let him know how much his common sense approach to government changed the businesses as usual approach in Madison. He has always been a friend to her and never let politics get in the way of the real reason they are elected: To serve the people - and Senator King remains committed to do what Representative Spanbauer did, to reject one-sidedness and to continue to work with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to make progress for the betterment of the people in Wisconsin.

Senator Wirch, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of the 80th Birthday of June Hartog from Racine, Wisconsin. She is a wonderful lady.

Senator Wirch, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of two distinguished public servants who have served the State of Wisconsin well, Senator Jim Holperin and Senator Spencer Coggs. They are great public servants and it is a privilege to adjourn in their honor.

Senator Ellis, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of his wife and their 40th wedding anniversary, which is today.

S878 Senator Coggs, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of July 18th, which is "International Mandela Day" in honor of former South African President, Nelson Mandela.

Senator Coggs, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of everyone who has served in the Wisconsin State Senate because it has been such a privilege.

Senator Erpenbach, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of his children.

Senator Carpenter, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of the "Stars & Stripes Honor Flight," which has helped over 80,000 veterans to travel to Washington, DC to visit the memorials erected in their honor. He also welcomes and thanks all who are working to bring the "Field of Honor" event to Miller Park on August 11, 2012, to honor our veterans and to view the documentary of Honor Flight's work.

Senator Lassa, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of her daughter, Lily Moe, who celebrated her first birthday on May 15th.