Representative Ripp E-update

Honoring Veterans

Wisconsin is celebrating Veterans Day for the 57^th time in our history. Every November 11^th we honor our living military veterans, differing from Memorial Day where we remember those that have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this country. It was President Dwight D. Eisenhower who signed a bill proclaiming we observe November 11^th as a legal holiday to be commemorated with the appropriate ceremonies.

November 11^th has become known as Veterans Day but it didn’t start that way. It was originally intended to honor Armistice Day or the end of World War 1, which officially ended on November 11^th, 1918. In 1938 Congress dedicated November 11^th “to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day.” In 1953, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83^rd U.S. Congress amended the day striking out ‘Armistice’ and inserting the word ‘Veterans.’

Currently, members of Wisconsin’s National Guard continue to serve over seas. Wisconsin National Guard troops have participated in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II, the Korean War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn, and Operation Unified Protector. Since the beginning of the global war on terror, 14,000 men and women of the Wisconsin National Guard have been called to active duty and serve their country.

Wisconsin and our nation continue to be guarded by an entirely volunteer force. These heroes put their lives on the line every day so that we may enjoy our freedom. I would ask that you be mindful of their sacrifices and if you have the opportunity thank them.

Back to Work Wisconsin

Despite little action on a national level, Wisconsin is continuing its efforts to create an environment where employers and employees can prosper. According to the state Department of Workforce Development, 67 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties saw a decrease in their employment rate from August to September. These numbers show that our plan for fiscal responsibility and a pro-jobs agenda is starting to take hold. Last month Governor Walker called a special session on job creation called “Back to Work Wisconsin” and with that in mind the state Assembly has passed 48 bills. Most of these bills deal specifically with job creation and almost all passed with bipartisan support.

Last week legislation I authored, Assembly Bill 265, passed the state Assembly 93-0. AB 265 makes several changes to bicycle regulation allowing cyclists to signal with either hand, use a lamp emitting a red light in lieu of a reflector, regulation of moped parking and allowing motorist to pass a slow moving vehicle. These are simple changes that will make bicycling safer in the Wisconsin and are common sense changes that legalize practices already in use today.

"It's Working"

Last week, the MacIver Institute and Americans for Prosperity debuted a video that explains why the budget reforms we instituted were necessary and why they are working. These changes have saved tax payers across the state millions of dollars and in many cases have more than offset any loss in state funding. I would encourage all of you to take ten minutes to watch it and encourage your friends to do the same.

"It's working Wisconsin"

Constituents honored at Capitol

On Tuesday, I was joined by First Lady, Tonette Walker, and the Department of Children and Families in honoring four special families in our state. Susan and Todd Kearney and their children were selected as one of the families to receive the 2011 Governor’s Outstanding Adoptive Parent Award. The Kearney’s live in Lodi and were nominated by Marcie Desomer from the Columbia County Department of Health and Human Services.

Foster parents play an important and pivotal role in the lives of children placed in their care. What the Kearney’s have done for these children is something that cannot be replaced. They have opened their home and hearts to children in need of family structure and support, which so many live with out.

Susan and Todd always dreamed of a big family and through adoption they achieved their dream while providing hope for so many others. Always believing there was room for “one more,” the Kearney family has blossomed into ten children. What makes their story even more remarkable is that Susan and Todd have been able to keep two different sets of siblings together under one roof, including a set of six. So often we hear about siblings divided up between different homes, but through their remarkable generosity they were able to keep them together.

Susan and Todd have now retired from fostering, but over the last twenty years they have provided a loving family atmosphere while mentoring other foster parents and sharing their experience. November is National Adoption Month and this year we were able set time aside to honor a special adoptive family in our community, Sue and Todd Kearney.

The award ceremony was held on Tuesday, November 8^th in the Assembly Parlor.

As in the past I would continue to encourage you to contact my office with ideas for this next legislative session and on individual pieces of legislation. Now more than ever your ideas and opinions need to be heard, so we can begin to get Wisconsin back to work. As before I will continue to work across the aisle to find common ground and move legislation forward. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (608) 266-3404, or Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov.

Please share this update with your friends and neighbors within the 47^th Assembly District and if there is anyone you know who would like to be included please respond to this email with their email address.

I want to remind everyone that my door is always open and you can always visit me at my Madison office in the Capitol (223 North). Please do not hesitate to contact me with any issues you maybe facing. You can call my office at 608-266-3404 or email me at Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Honoring Veterans

Back to Work Wisconsin


E-Update - January 21, 2011

Helpful Wisconsin Links Unsubscribe If you would like to unsubscribe from Representative Ripp's E-Update, please click here.	Honoring Veterans Wisconsin is celebrating Veterans Day for the 57^th time in our history. Every November 11^th we honor our living military veterans, differing from Memorial Day where we remember those that have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this country. It was President Dwight D. Eisenhower who signed a bill proclaiming we observe November 11^th as a legal holiday to be commemorated with the appropriate ceremonies. November 11^th has become known as Veterans Day but it didn’t start that way. It was originally intended to honor Armistice Day or the end of World War 1, which officially ended on November 11^th, 1918. In 1938 Congress dedicated November 11^th “to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day.” In 1953, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83^rd U.S. Congress amended the day striking out ‘Armistice’ and inserting the word ‘Veterans.’ Currently, members of Wisconsin’s National Guard continue to serve over seas. Wisconsin National Guard troops have participated in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II, the Korean War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn, and Operation Unified Protector. Since the beginning of the global war on terror, 14,000 men and women of the Wisconsin National Guard have been called to active duty and serve their country. Wisconsin and our nation continue to be guarded by an entirely volunteer force. These heroes put their lives on the line every day so that we may enjoy our freedom. I would ask that you be mindful of their sacrifices and if you have the opportunity thank them. Back to Work Wisconsin Despite little action on a national level, Wisconsin is continuing its efforts to create an environment where employers and employees can prosper. According to the state Department of Workforce Development, 67 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties saw a decrease in their employment rate from August to September. These numbers show that our plan for fiscal responsibility and a pro-jobs agenda is starting to take hold. Last month Governor Walker called a special session on job creation called “Back to Work Wisconsin” and with that in mind the state Assembly has passed 48 bills. Most of these bills deal specifically with job creation and almost all passed with bipartisan support. Last week legislation I authored, Assembly Bill 265, passed the state Assembly 93-0. AB 265 makes several changes to bicycle regulation allowing cyclists to signal with either hand, use a lamp emitting a red light in lieu of a reflector, regulation of moped parking and allowing motorist to pass a slow moving vehicle. These are simple changes that will make bicycling safer in the Wisconsin and are common sense changes that legalize practices already in use today. "It's Working" Last week, the MacIver Institute and Americans for Prosperity debuted a video that explains why the budget reforms we instituted were necessary and why they are working. These changes have saved tax payers across the state millions of dollars and in many cases have more than offset any loss in state funding. I would encourage all of you to take ten minutes to watch it and encourage your friends to do the same. "It's working Wisconsin" Constituents honored at Capitol On Tuesday, I was joined by First Lady, Tonette Walker, and the Department of Children and Families in honoring four special families in our state. Susan and Todd Kearney and their children were selected as one of the families to receive the 2011 Governor’s Outstanding Adoptive Parent Award. The Kearney’s live in Lodi and were nominated by Marcie Desomer from the Columbia County Department of Health and Human Services. Foster parents play an important and pivotal role in the lives of children placed in their care. What the Kearney’s have done for these children is something that cannot be replaced. They have opened their home and hearts to children in need of family structure and support, which so many live with out. Susan and Todd always dreamed of a big family and through adoption they achieved their dream while providing hope for so many others. Always believing there was room for “one more,” the Kearney family has blossomed into ten children. What makes their story even more remarkable is that Susan and Todd have been able to keep two different sets of siblings together under one roof, including a set of six. So often we hear about siblings divided up between different homes, but through their remarkable generosity they were able to keep them together. Susan and Todd have now retired from fostering, but over the last twenty years they have provided a loving family atmosphere while mentoring other foster parents and sharing their experience. November is National Adoption Month and this year we were able set time aside to honor a special adoptive family in our community, Sue and Todd Kearney. The award ceremony was held on Tuesday, November 8^th in the Assembly Parlor. As in the past I would continue to encourage you to contact my office with ideas for this next legislative session and on individual pieces of legislation. Now more than ever your ideas and opinions need to be heard, so we can begin to get Wisconsin back to work. As before I will continue to work across the aisle to find common ground and move legislation forward. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (608) 266-3404, or Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov. Please share this update with your friends and neighbors within the 47^th Assembly District and if there is anyone you know who would like to be included please respond to this email with their email address. I want to remind everyone that my door is always open and you can always visit me at my Madison office in the Capitol (223 North). Please do not hesitate to contact me with any issues you maybe facing. You can call my office at 608-266-3404 or email me at Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.