Grants Awarded for Wisconsin Veterans Assistance

This week, I joined Gov. Tony Evers’ and Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Mary Kolar as they presented  $250,000 in grants to 13 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide financial assistance or other services to Wisconsin veterans and their families.

Of particular note to the 78th Assembly District was the awarding of a $5000 grant to Easter Seals Wisconsin Inc. (located on Excelsior Drive) to help fund and support a veteran and their family by sending them to a camp. The organization helps people in Wisconsin with disabilities get back to a normal life, or start one.

The WDVA is proud partners with more than 1,000 community and nonprofit organizations across the state, forming a network that has resulted in thousands of in-need veterans receiving vital assistance and resources. With these grants, we are further honoring our commitment to service and maintaining Wisconsin’s status as a national leader in offerings to veterans and their families. Since 2015, the WDVA’s nonprofit grant program has awarded over a million in funding to organizations that work to ensure veterans and their families are properly cared for in Wisconsin.

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Lackluster Ending to Fall Session

The Assembly held their final floor session day this past Tuesday, with Republicans choosing to close up shop without addressing some of the major issues facing our state. We will not meet again until mid-January even though there is plenty of work to do, and there is overwhelming public support for action on Medicaid Expansion, legalizing medical marijuana, and closing the dark store loophole, and more. Unfortunately, Republicans have chosen the route of inaction, despite the fact that there are only six more months until we enter campaign season.

Wisconsinites work hard, and they have an expectation that their elected officials are doing all they can to improve their family's lives.  That's why last month Legislative Democrats introduced our fall priorities, Forward Together. The plan reflects the will of the people based on hearing from constituents around the state. Wisconsin deserves a responsive state government that is in-tune with public desires and beliefs.

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Sheriff’s Office Training Center Open to Hunters

Thanks to the continuing project agreement between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Dane County Sheriff's Office, the public will have daily access to the Dane County Law Enforcement Training Center Range near Waunakee from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 22. There is a $10 fee.

Hunters who normally would use the Columbia County range should consider this Dane County range to sight-in rifles for the gun deer hunt. The Columbia County range is closed temporarily for upgrades and repairs.

The Dane County Law Enforcement Training Center is located at 5184 Hwy 19 in the Town of Westport, one mile east of the intersection of Hwy 113 and County Trunk I.

If the Dane County range is not convenient for the patrons of the Columbia County range, hunters can learn more about the location of other shooting ranges on the DNR website.

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Wisconsin Fun Fact

Glory of the Morning, or Ho-Poe-Kaw, was the last known Ho-Chunk female chief, and the first woman described in any textual history in Wisconsin. She was only eighteen when she became the leader of her tribe in 1727.

A year after she took control of the tribe, she married a French fur trader by the name of Sabrevoir Descaris, with whom she had three children. Later, he resigned his commission with the French army and lived as a fur trader. Under Ho-Poe-Kaw’s leadership, the Ho-Chunk sided with the French against the Meskwaki in several battles during the Fox War.

Sabrevoir Descaris later abandoned her and traveled Quebec with Ho-Poe-Kaw’s only daughter after seven years of marriage, where he continued to be a fur trader until he died. She remained with her two sons to continue leading the Ho-chunk people.

It is unknown how long she led her people, but it is estimated to approximately 40 years. In 1766, an English traveler named Jonathan Carver visited her at modern-day Neenah-Menasha and left an account of her in his book. There is a historical marker dedicated to her (pictured) located on westbound East Wisconsin Avenue, east of its intersection with North Commercial Street / Wisconsin Route 114, Neenah. The inscription at the site reads:  Winnebago Indian Chief who peacefully led her tribe for 50 years with a legendary commitment to their ongoing welfare and development. Known for her open and warm welcome to all her visitors, while fiercely protecting her Winnebago land, culture and heritage. Her village was built here in Neenah on the island of the Fox River.

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