Revolutions come in all shapes and sizes -- including ability, race and gender.
Leading the fight against discrimination includes the distinction of being the first state in the nation to prohibit the unlawful discrimination of handicapped people and using nationality or race as a basis for hiring teachers.
How apropos that the Outagamie County Township of Freedom was co-founded by Andy Jackson, an African American.
Upon organization of the town, citizens voted to name it Jackson, after the former slave, but when told of the honor Andy said, "no gentlemen. Call it freedom, because here's where I got my freedom."
And just 35 miles west of here is another historic site -- Beetown and the community of Pleasant Ridge, founded in 1848 by former slaves.
But freedom represents more than a community for the people of this state - black or white.
Wisconsin's definition of freedom included a passage for the Underground Railroad. It meant a commitment of more than 91,000 who donned the union uniform and the more than 12,000 who made the ultimate sacrifice defending what it stood for.
One in nine Wisconsin men joined the boys in blue, one of the highest ratios per capita in the union. And they fought with such valor that General Sherman T. Williams proclaimed, "a Wisconsin regiment was worth a brigade from any other state."
Valor and honor certainly describes Milwaukee native General Douglas MacArthur, when he reminded America that "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away."
MacArthur, true to his word, returned to the Philippines and succeeded in forcing the Japanese surrender through the aid and firepower of Wisconsin's 32nd division.
11 medals of honor, 157 distinguished service cross medals and 11,500 purple hearts, the 32nd remains one of the most decorated divisions in United States military history.
From the battlefields in Antietam, to the foxholes of Europe and jungles of Asia, to the miles upon miles of endless sand in desert storm, our fight for freedom has been equaled only by our fight for equality.
Wisconsin's ratification of the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote was the first approval to reach Congress in 1919, and we were the first state in the country to pass a law eliminating legal discrimination of women in 1921.
No surprise from a state that is recognized around the world as a laboratory for visionary social reforms and public policy initiatives; including the distinction of being the first state to provide aid to the disabled, the first worker and unemployment compensation laws, and true welfare reform.
Today, in strong and growing numbers, America's symbol of freedom flies triumphantly over America's state -- just as Old Abe did as he led the 8th regiment home from the civil war.
Our journey has endured many battles and challenges. It has also captured the excitement of a new century, survived a great depression, stood victorious through two world wars, and dreamt the impossible as man walked upon the surface of the moon.
Through it all we fulfilled a destiny to lead, as J. McMullen eloquently predicted in his letter of so long ago.
As we venture into a new century, let's begin the next leg of our journey by rediscovering Wisconsin through the eyes of Father Marquette on his historic waterway of discovery.
From there we'll carry our spirit of leadership all the way to the nation's capitol on the back of a Wisconsin legend...a Harley Davidson motorcycle.
I encourage each of you and all Wisconsin residents to participate in these and the hundreds of sesquicentennial events that celebrate our heritage and culture.
A new era of Wisconsin leadership begins today.
We must build upon the foundation inspired in this building to ensure that the next 150 years are filled with hope, promise and opportunity for each and every Wisconsin citizen.
It is our responsibility as citizens of this great state to carry our proud tradition of leadership forward...as our motto demands. Our actions, our purpose, and our contributions must be as visionary as our founding fathers.
Our role is neither to lead people to water nor make them drink, but rather to make them thirsty...
And may the people of Wisconsin's thirst to be the leaders of this great nation never be quenched. Thank you."
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Executive Communications
January 14, 1998
To My Friends In The Wisconsin State Assembly:
A480 In honor of our State's Sesquicentennial, I am pleased and honored to resubmit to you Governor Dodge's original message on Statehood. The Will of the People certainly was spoken when Governor Dodge gave this most important message that enabled Wisconsin to become the 30th State admitted to the Union.
As we begin our sesquicentennial year, may we each recommit our time, talents and effort to continue to make Wisconsin the best state in the nation.
Sincerely,
Tommy G. Thompson
Governor
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TERRITORIAL PROCEEDINGS
The lands granted by Congress for schools and a university will not be available until after the admission of Wisconsin as a state. Five per centum on the net proceeds of the sales of the public lands sold at the land offices in this territory, to which the state of Wisconsin will be entitled on her admission into the Union, would have paid the expenses of the state government for the last five years.
The people of this territory have paid into the United States treasury, since the organization of the territorial government, near four million of dollars in payment for the public lands; and the amount appropriated by Congress for the improvement of harbors and roads, etc. in the territory is one hundred and sixty-seven thousand dollars. This state of things will remain as long as the territorial government exists.
The states of Illinois and Missouri were admitted members of the Union when the population of those states did not exceed one hundred and thirty thousand inhabitants. In the admission of all the western states none of them had a population equal to the present population of the territory of Wisconsin. The future state of Wisconsin will combine as many advantages as any other portion of the United States. Her great extent of territory; the fertility of her soil; the salubrity of her climate; with commercial advantages unsurpassed on our inland seas and navigable rivers; her inexhaustible mineral wealth, composed of lead, iron, and copper mines, with the most extensive pine lumber region in the United States; with an intelligent, enterprising population—may we not confidently hope that Wisconsin will be the happy abode of millions of freemen, and that her march will be onward until she fills the high destiny that awaits her.
The present Legislative Assembly having been convened for a special purpose, I have not deemed the present an appropriate occasion to make any suggestions, except in relation to the organization of state government.
Be assured, fellow citizens, you will have my cooperation in the support of all such measures as will promote the good of the people you represent.
HENRY DODGE
Executive Department, October 18, 1847
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WISCONSIN HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
GOVERNOR DODGE'S MESSAGE
ON STATEHOOD
Fellow Citizens of the Council and House of Representatives:
In accordance with the laws of the territory I have deemed it my duty to convene a special session of the Legislative Assembly, to enable the representatives of the people to take such action in the early organization of a state government as will meet the wants and wishes of their constituents.
At the last census of the inhabitants of the territory her population was one hundred and fifty-five thousand; and from the increased immigration since that period her present population may now be estimated to exceed two hundred thousand.
By the official returns made to the office of the secretary of the territory of the votes given "for and against state government" it appears that a large majority of the people are in favor of a state government. The preparatory steps, it would seem, can be taken for the election of a convention to form a constitution and submitting it to the people of the territory, as well as to the Congress of the United States at their next session, in time for the admission of Wisconsin as an independent state of this Union, as the next is the commencement of a new Congress and a long session of that body. In that event the state of Wisconsin will give her electoral vote at the next presidential election in 1848.
The admission of Wisconsin as a state will promote the best interests of her people; they will have a representation in both houses of Congress; they will participate in all the advantages of a government created by themselves, founded on the equal rights of all, and when the expressed voice of the people will be the supreme law of the state. The donation of five hundred thousand acres of land, to which the future state of Wisconsin will be entitled under the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An Act to appropriate the proceeds of the sale of the public lands, and to grant preemption rights," approved September 4, 1841, will be greatly lessened in value before Wisconsin becomes a state, as the choice lands have already been sold, and the refuse lands will remain, from which the selection will be made, unless they are located north of the Wisconsin River.
From Madison Wisconsin Argus, October 19, 1847
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TERRITORIAL PROCEEDINGS
PROCLAMATION BY HENRY DODGE, GOVERNOR OF THE
TERRITORY OF WISCONSIN
To All to Whom These Presents Shall Come, Greeting:
WHEREAS, The people of the territory of Wisconsin did on the 5 [1st] day of February, A.D. 1848, by a convention of their delegates, assembled at Madison, the seat of government, form a constitution for a state government, which by the fourteenth article of said constitution was submitted to the qualified electors of said territory for their acceptance or rejection; and
A481 WHEREAS, The said electors did meet at their respective county seats and election precincts on the 14th [13th] day of March last, and did then cast their votes for or against the adoption of said constitution; now, therefore,
BE IT KNOWN, That from the official returns of said election as made to the executive department, it appears that the whole number of votes cast on the question of the constitution was twenty-two thousand five hundred and ninety-one, and that the majority was ten thousand two hundred and forty-three votes in favor of the adoption of said constitution.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the territory to be affixed, at Madison this tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
HENRY DODGE
From Madison Wisconsin Argus, April 11, 1848.
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WISCONSIN HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
AN ACT FOR THE ADMISSION
OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN
INTO THE UNION
WHEREAS the people of the territory of Wisconsin did on the first day of February, eighteen hundred and forty-eight, by a convention of delegates called and assembly for the purpose, form for themselves a constitution and state government, which said constitution is republican, and said convention having asked the admission of said territory into the Union as a state on an equal footing with the original states:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the state of Wisconsin be, and is hereby, admitted to be one of the United States of America, and is hereby, admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original states in all respects whatever, with the boundaries prescribed by the act of Congress, approved August sixth, eighteen hundred and forty-six, entitled, "An Act to enable the people of Wisconsin Territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the Union."
Section 2. And be it further enacted, That the assent of Congress is hereby given to the first, second, fourth, and fifth resolutions adopted by said convention and appended to said constitution; and the acts of Congress referred to in the said resolutions are hereby amended so that the lands granted by the provisions of the several acts referred to in the said first and fourth resolutions, and the proceeds of said lands, and the five per centum of the net proceeds of the public lands therein mentioned shall be held and disposed of by said state in the manner and for the purposes recommended by said convention, and so that, also, the lands reserved to the United States by the provisions of the act entitled, "An Act to grant a quantity of land to aid in the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and to connect the same by a canal in the Territory of Wisconsin," and, also, the even-numbered sections reserved by the provisions of the act entitled, "An Act to grant a quantity of land to the territory of Wisconsin for the purpose of aiding in opening a canal to connect the waters of Lake Michigan with those of Rock River," shall be offered for sale at the same minimum price and subject to the same rights of preemption as other public lands of the United States: Provided, however, That no person shall be entitled to a preemption by reason of the settlement and cultivation of any quarter section or other subdivision of said even-numbered sections, which tract, before the commencement of such settlement, shall have been claimed by any other person cultivating and improving the same in good faith, and which shall have continued to be claimed, cultivated, and improved in like good faith by such person, his representatives or assigns, until the sale of said tract, and of which said prior claim, cultivation, and improvement, the personal claiming preemption shall have had notice at the time of his entry and settlement; neither shall any preemption be allowed to any tract, to the injury of any person, or of the representatives or assigns of any person claiming and occupying the same or any part thereof in good faith, in his or her right, at the passage of this act, and owning valuable cultivation or improvements thereon, which cultivation or improvement shall have been assigned by the person so claiming preemption, or, if commenced subsequently to the entry and settlement of such person, shall have been made with his consent or acquiescence; and Provided, further, That the liabilities incurred by the territorial government of Wisconsin, under the act entitled "An Act to grant a quantity of land to the territory of Wisconsin for the purpose of aiding in opening a canal to connect the waters of Lake Michigan with those of Rock River," hereinbefore referred to, shall be paid and discharged by the state of Wisconsin.
Section 3, And be it further enacted, That the purchasers of any tract of the said even-numbered sections mentioned in the preceding section, and sold since the reservation thereof at the minimum price of $2.50 per acre, shall be entitled to receive from the commissioner of the General Land Office a certificate of the quantity of land so purchased, and of the amount of the excess paid therefor over and above the value of said land, at the rate of $1.25 per acre; which certificate, to the amount of such excess, shall be receivable from the holder thereof, or his assigns, in like manner as so much money in payment of the public lands of the United States. That, in the event of the death of any such purchaser before the issuing of such certificate, the same shall be issued in favor of the lawful representatives of such purchaser.
Section 4. And be it further enacted, That the judge of the district court for the district of Wisconsin shall hold a term of said court in each year at the seat of government, to commence on the first Monday of July, and another term of said court in each year at Milwaukee, to commence on the first Monday of January. He shall also have power to hold special terms for the trial of causes and for the determination of all suits or proceedings in said courts, at either of the aforesaid places, at his discretion, as the nature and amount of the business may require. The said court shall be open at all times for the purpose of hearing and deciding cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, so far as the same can be done without a jury. The records and papers of said court may be kept at either of the places herein designated for the holding of said court, as the judge in his discretion shall direct.
A482 Section 5. And be it further enacted, That the clerks of the district courts of the territory of Wisconsin shall be fore their term of office expires certify, under the seal, and transmit to the clerk of said courts all records of all unsatisfied judgments and of suits pending in said courts, respectively attaching thereto all papers connected therewith, in all cases arising under the laws or Constitution of the United States, or to which the United States shall be a party; and they shall forward the same to the clerk of said district court of the state of Wisconsin, who shall enter the same in his docket; and the said district court shall proceed therein to final judgment and execution, as if such suits or proceedings had originally been brought in said court.
Section 6. And be it further enacted, That the clerk of the supreme court of the territory of Wisconsin shall deliver over to the clerks of said district court all records and papers in the office of the clerk of the said supreme court relating to proceedings in bankruptcy under the late bankrupt law of the United States. He shall also certify, under seal, and deliver to said clerk all records of judgments and of proceedings in suits pending, and all papers connected therewith, in cases arising under the Constitution and laws of the Untied States.
Section 7. And be it further enacted, That from and after the fourth day of march, eighteen hundred and forty-nine, and until another census and apportionment shall be made, the state of Wisconsin shall be entitled to three representatives in the Congress of the United States.
Approved, May 29, 1848
PRESIDENT JAMES POLK
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Representative Ladwig moved that the Assembly resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole.
The question was: Shall the Assembly resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole?
Motion carried.
2:35 P.M.
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Committee of The Whole
Representative Ladwig asked unanimous consent that Representative Freese be designated to chair the Committee of the Whole. Granted.
Representative Freese in the chair.
Representative Ziegelbauer moved that Senate Joint Resolution 22 be recommended for concurrence by the Committee of the Whole.
Representative Ziegelbauer read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 22
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