Thank you for taking the time to check out this week's newsletter. You'll find information about the importance of herd immunity, updates on Verona Road and from the DNR, and more!
A few other items of note from this week around the capitol include that Governor Evers announced January 27, 2020 as an election date for the 7th Congressional District vacancy, and if required, a primary will occur on December 30, 2019. These dates were chosen so the people of Northern Wisconsin have congressional representation as soon as possible.
Also this week, the Task Force on Suicide Prevention released ten legislative recommendations to address suicides across our state. Despite these steps forward, the Republican-led task force failed to comprehensively address suicide prevention by firearm. This exclusion is a glaring omission in a long list of legislative recommendations to prevent suicides in Wisconsin.
Additionally, on Thursday, National Hispanic Heritage Month was celebrated in the Capitol Rotunda. I would like to wish all our Hispanic friends and neighbors a wonderful heritage month and beyond!
If you have any questions or need assistance with any matter, please feel free to contact my office.
Sincerely, Lisa Subeck State Representative 78th Assembly District
On Wednesday, there was a great program presented by UW Medical School Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Director of the UW Health Immunization Program James Conway, MD, along with Director of the Wisconsin Immunization Program at DHS, Stephanie Schauer, PhD. The presentation provided facts on why vaccinations are important, recent immunization trends in Wisconsin, the future of immunizations, and herd immunity in our state.
Of particular note was the topic of “herd immunity.” Herd immunity is a mechanism where the spread of contagious disease is minimized because the rate of vaccinated/immune people it so high. It has been shown to reduce the spread of disease because the chains of infections are disrupted resulting in lower chances of exposure in the population. Studies have shown when herd immunity and immunization rates are at 90% or more, there’s a great probability of eradication of that disease. This is why it is important that every person who can get a vaccine does; this protects the people who are unable to get the vaccine, such as newborns or those with allergies to components of the vaccine itself.
Duck Hunting Season Begins with DNR Invasive Species Outreach
In a continuing effort to protect Wisconsin lands and wild life, the Department of Natural Resources, statewide partners, and volunteers, will be reaching out to waterfowl hunters this weekend as the 2019 Duck Hunting Season begins. They will be having discussions across Wisconsin and along the Mississippi River with hunters highlighting the impact of invasive species, and giving tips about preventing the spread of them into Wisconsin’s native ecosystems. This is the fourth year the DNR is coordinating this kind of outreach.
Some preventative measures of particular interested to duck hunters, such as inspecting equipment and refraining from uprooting plants or fish, can help prevent species like faucet snails, which possess the ability to kill ducks, from entering our ecosystem.
Saturday, September 28th marks the beginning of duck hunting season in Wisconsin with anticipation for a good hunting season since it is estimated there was an average spring breeding count, and Wisconsin had a fairly wet summer.
The Verona Road Project is nearing completion. In early November, Verona Road will open to three lanes of traffic each way with travel under Williamsburg Way and over County PD.
The section between Fish Hatchery Road and County MM near Oregon should now be open, and the Fish Hatchery Road intersection will remain open while County M between Fish Hatchery Road and County PB near Verona are closed to through traffic starting Monday, September 30th until mid-October.
Wisconsin Fun Fact: The "Monster Knife" of John Fox Potter
Among the many oddities that the Wisconsin State Capitol holds, one little known secret is the 31 pound, 6 foot long knife that sits on the third floor of the East Wing where the State Law Library used to be. The origin of this knife is not nearly as violent as one may initially assume.
Wisconsin Congressman John Fox Potter was elected to the House of Representatives in 1856, just as the debate over slavery and states’ rights was nearing a boiling point. In early 1860, Owen Lovejoy of Illinois gave a speech to the House of Representatives that expressed a profound anti-slavery sentiment that angered many members of Congress, one of whom was Virginia secessionist Representative Roger Pryor.
Despite all the controversy, Potter defended Lovejoy’s words which prompted Pryor to believe his honor was offended, and thus challenged Potter to a duel. The duel never occurred due to the arrest of both men, and that Pryor's second refused the selection of weapon of a Bowie knife as "vulgar, barbarous, and inhuman" instead of a gun or swords (swords were a weapon Southerners frequently used to bully Northerners), and Potter's second contended that duels were "barbarous and inhuman" in an of themselves.
Upon the choice of the Bowie knife, supporters from all over were prompted to send knives of all sizes to Potter with the most notable being the Monster Knife that was gifted to Potter by Missouri Delegates (at the national convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln for president) and declared victory over Pryor.
The engraving on one side of the weapon includes a clever play on words, saying the knife “Will always meet a Pryor engagement."
Correction: Last week's Wisconsin Fun Fact about Wisconsin High contained an error. The building that housed the high school was demolished over a decade ago, and the new Science Building sits where it was. The School of Social Work & Institute on Aging relocated on campus before the building's demolition. Thank you to John N. Englesby for setting the record straight!
City-wide local food celebration that encourages individuals to eat at local restaurants. Participating restaurants donate 10% of sales to the REAP Farm to School Program in the Madison Metropolitan School District
Race Discrimination Seminar Friday, October 4, 2019 10 AM Dane County Job Center 1819 Aberg Ave., Madison
Seminar on racial discrimination in the work place and civil rights workshop.
Lunchtime Yoga Friday, October 4, 2019 12 PM Monona Terrace Convention Center 1 John Nolen Dr., Madison
Take a break from the daily stresses of your workday with Lunchtime Yoga! Focus on breathing techniques to help relieve stress and learn useful techniques to navigate the rest of your day. Jill Lundberg’s classes provide the opportunity to cultivate strength, flexibility, balance and ease in the body.