SJR74,1,64 Whereas, Russ Whitesel was born at Camp White near Medford, Oregon, grew
5up in Iowa City, home to a Big Ten rival, and graduated from Northern Illinois
6University; and

SJR74,1,97 Whereas, Russ exemplified the idealistic spirit of the 1960s, serving as a Peace
8Corps volunteer in Turkey, where he taught English to middle schoolers and
9developed a budding interest in education; and

SJR74,2,310 Whereas, upon earning a master's degree in public administration from
11Syracuse University, Russ came to Wisconsin, working for two years in the capital
12budget office in the Department of Administration, followed by two years in

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1then-Central Administration at the University of Wisconsin, where he shepherded
2the capital project approvals necessary to establish the Green Bay and Parkside
3campuses; and

SJR74,2,54 Whereas, soon after moving to Madison, Russ met and married his wife Liz,
5with whom he will celebrate 40 years of marriage this year; and

SJR74,2,96 Whereas, sparked by the opportunities for public service, Russ enrolled in the
7 University of Wisconsin Law School, graduated in January 1975, and was
8immediately hired at the Legislative Council by the legendary Bonnie Reese, in
9whose formidable footsteps he followed as an education specialist; and

SJR74,2,1210 Whereas, Russ diligently staffed innumerable Legislative Council study
11committees, crafting complex legislation in areas ranging from mediation and
12arbitration law and consumer protection to school finance and trade secrets; and

SJR74,2,1513 Whereas, Russ provided sage legal and procedural advice to countless
14legislative standing committees, focusing on K-12 and higher education, consumer
15protection, labor, and elections; and

SJR74,2,2116 Whereas, Russ has been a vibrant and engaged member of the council staff for
17over 35 years, cheerfully mentoring junior colleagues; sharing his considerable
18institutional wisdom; organizing noon-hour book group discussions; expounding on
19the intricacies of fantasy baseball; and regaling his co-workers (and anyone else who
20would listen) with his twin parables of "The Floating Opera" and "Everything
21Relates"; and

SJR74,3,222 Whereas, Russ has served as the council's goodwill ambassador, nurturing
23relationships with legislators and staffers on both sides of the aisle; leading
24pre-session orientation for new legislators; fostering good relations with the judicial

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1and executive branches; and hosting international delegations visiting the state
2capitol; and

SJR74,3,53 Whereas, Russ' commitment to public service has extended well beyond the
4office, to his work for the State Bar of Wisconsin, as a member of the Public Records
5Board, and on the capital campaign for Madison's Sequoya Branch Library; and

SJR74,3,96 Whereas, Russ' compassion for his fellow human beings was exemplified when
7he volunteered for duty as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, traveling to New
8Orleans for a month to assist with disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of
9Hurricane Katrina; and

SJR74,3,1110 Whereas, Russ epitomizes what it means to be a good citizen of the community
11and the world; and

SJR74,3,1312 Whereas, Russ' upbeat attitude, insider savvy, and willingness to assist will be
13greatly missed by all who worked with him; now, therefore, be it