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2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
2023 ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTIO N 103
January 16, 2024 - Introduced by Representatives MICHALSKI, ALLEN, AUGUST,
BALDEH, CONLEY, DITTRICH, DRAKE, DUCHOW, EDMING, EMERSON, HURD,
JACOBSON, KITCHENS, MACCO, MAGNAFICI, MAXEY, MELOTIK, MURPHY, MURSAU,
O'CONNOR, OHNSTAD, PENTERMAN, RETTINGER, ROZAR, SCHUTT, SINICKI, SPIROS,
STUBBS, SUBECK, TITTL, TRANEL and BRANDTJEN, cosponsored by Senators
HUTTON, JAGLER, JACQUE, SPREITZER, BRADLEY, KAPENGA, NASS, CARPENTER,
FELZKOWSKI, MARKLEIN, WIRCH, COWLES, AGARD, FEYEN, BALLWEG, ROYS and
TESTIN. Referred to Committee on Rules.
***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Lieutenant Governor Margaret
Farrow.
Whereas, former Lieutenant Governor Margaret Farrow passed away on
March 8, 2022, at the age of 87, surrounded by her loved ones at her home in
Pewaukee, Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow dedicated her life to serving the great
state and people of Wisconsin and was a trailblazer for women in Wisconsin politics,
being the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor in Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Margaret Farrow was born to William and Margaret Nemitz in
Kenosha, Wisconsin, on November 28, 1934; and
Whereas, Margaret Farrow was raised in Kenosha and attended Dominican
Sisters of St. Catherine High School in Racine; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow attended Rosary College in Illinois and
earned a bachelor's degree in political science and education from Marquette
University; and
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Whereas, prior to her political career, Lieutenant Governor Farrow worked as
a school teacher and real estate agent; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow began her career in public service in
municipal government, first serving on the Village of Elm Grove Board of Appeals
from 1972 to 1974; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow was elected as a member of the Elm
Grove Village Board in 1976, which she served on until 1987, and served as village
president from 1981 to 1987—becoming the first woman to serve as village president;
and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow served the state in multiple capacities:
as a representative in the state assembly, as state senator, and eventually as
lieutenant governor; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow was first elected to the Wisconsin
Assembly in 1986, representing a district covering most of Waukesha County and
portions of western Milwaukee County; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow was elected to the Wisconsin Senate in
a special election in 1989 and served in that seat for over a decade until 1999; and
Whereas, during Lieutenant Governor Farrow's tenure in the state legislature,
she served in several leadership roles, including senate assistant minority leader
and senate assistant majority leader, served as chair of the Wisconsin Women's
Council for over a decade, and served on the Joint Committee on Finance for three
sessions; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow was sworn in as the 42nd lieutenant
governor on May 9, 2001, becoming the first woman to hold that position in Wisconsin
history; and
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Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow continued her life of public service even
after her tenure as lieutenant governor had ended, serving on numerous committees
and boards through 2021, including the University of Wisconsin System Board of
Regents from 2013 to 2017; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow was a tireless leader, and one of her
proudest legislative achievements was to democratize access to meetings and
activities of the legislature through the creation of WisconsinEye, on whose Board
of Directors she served since its creation in 2001; and
Whereas, her life of service was not limited to public work, and Lieutenant
Governor Farrow was very active in her church and community, notably serving the
Archdiocese of Milwaukee for decades on numerous committees while enjoying
fishing and sailing with her family and quilting with her friends, and always
appreciated an opportunity to enjoy and share a beautiful sunset; and
Whereas, Margaret especially enjoyed muskie fishing with her sons,
daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, often participating in muskie tournaments
around the state. Her love of her home state of Wisconsin was evident in everything
she did and communicated proudly to all through her license plate, “WI A 10," which
she had for over 30 years; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow was a loving wife of 65 years to her
husband, John, and a mother to five sons: John, Bill, Peter, Paul, and Mark; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Governor Farrow is remembered fondly for her work
ethic, kindness, and service to the state and as a mentor and trailblazer; now,
therefore, be it
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Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the
Wisconsin Legislature honor the life and public service of Lieutenant Governor
Margaret Farrow and extend their condolences to her family and friends.
(END)
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