SJR31,1,43 Whereas, Philip S. Habermann, the first executive secretary of the Legislative
4Council, passed away on February 11, 2003, at the age of 89; and

SJR31,1,115 Whereas, Mr. Habermann was born and raised in Lodi, Wisconsin, and followed
6a path of education and experience that suited him well for his later employment
7with the legislature, including an undergraduate degree from the University of
8Wisconsin in economics and taxation, service as assistant secretary of the League of
9Wisconsin Municipalities and as executive secretary of the Maine Municipal
10Association, service in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946, a degree from the University
11of Wisconsin Law School, and work in the private practice of law; and

SJR31,2,212 Whereas, in 1947, the legislature created the Legislative Council as a means
13of using study committees and professional staff to enhance the legislature's ability
14to address and find competent solutions for the pressing issues of the day, and to have

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1legislation drafted in advance of the session to allow more time for consideration of
2the proposals by the legislature as a whole; and

SJR31,2,43 Whereas, Mr. Habermann, at age 34, was chosen as the first executive secretary
4of the Legislative Council from among 18 candidates; and

SJR31,2,95 Whereas, Mr. Habermann guided the Legislative Council through its critical
6first year, a time when success was not assured, as stated in the Milwaukee Journal
7upon the commencement of the first interim studies: "The Council idea itself is on
8trial in Wisconsin at this time. On the showing made will depend whether or not the
9Council will be retained as a permanent part of our legislative machinery."; and

SJR31,2,1210 Whereas, Mr. Habermann labored together with 2 secretarial assistants in one
11of the round hearing rooms in the State Capitol, space he shared with the Highway
12Committee; and

SJR31,2,1713 Whereas, Mr. Habermann managed and supported the work of 11 active study
14committees, developed procedures for the conduct of study committees that continue
15to be used today, conducted a presession conference for the education of new
16legislators, and completed a 140-page report on law enforcement in Wisconsin which
17laid the groundwork for a highway safety program; and

SJR31,2,2118 Whereas, Mr. Habermann moved on after one year with the Legislative Council
19to continue his institution-building, as the first director of the Wisconsin State Bar
20Association, an organization that he served as director until his retirement in 1974;
21and

SJR31,3,222 Whereas, upon the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the
23Legislative Council, celebrated in 1997, Mr. Habermann sent a letter with several
24comments, including this fond recollection: "It was great to be on the ground floor
25and to help get the Council off to a sound start in the right direction. I look back with

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1great pleasure to those days and the many friends that I made in the legislature.";
2now, therefore, be it