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2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
2023 ASSEMBLY RESOLUTIO N 11
May 12, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives KURTZ, NOVAK, SPIROS, CONLEY,
MURPHY, SUBECK and OHNSTAD. Referred to Committee on Rules.
***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Joanne Duren.
Whereas, Joanne Duren was a vocal and independent-minded member of the
Wisconsin State Assembly who served her constituents in southwest Wisconsin from
the 1971 to 1981 legislative sessions; and
Whereas, Joanne Duren was born in Cazenovia, Richland County, Wisconsin,
on October 11, 1931, to Frank and Henrietta Duren; and
Whereas, after graduating from Madison Business College in 1950, Joanne
Duren worked in various secretarial positions before operating her own secretarial
business in the late 1960s; and
Whereas, working as a secretary in the Wisconsin Legislature, Joanne Duren
observed state government firsthand and was inspired to run for office; and
Whereas, Joanne Duren won her bid to represent Iowa and Richland Counties
in November 1970, becoming the first woman to represent both counties; and
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Whereas, Joanne Duren advocated for farmers, supporting a proposed
constitutional amendment to assess agricultural lands differently for the purposes
of imposing property taxes; and
Whereas, Joanne Duren also successfully pushed for legislation establishing a
state veterinary school and designating the dairy cow as the state's domestic animal;
and
Whereas, her other efforts included reforming capital gains taxes, limiting
smoking in public places, requiring smoke detectors in new residences, and making
mobile homes safer; and
Whereas, Joanne Duren served in Democratic caucus leadership and chaired
various committees, including Tourism and Economic Development and
State-Federal Relations; and
Whereas, Joanne Duren was fiercely independent, committed to the
Democratic Party but willing to break with Democrats on controversial issues; and
Whereas, throughout her career, Joanne Duren kept her constituents informed
of the activities of the legislature on her Sunday morning Assembly Reports radio
broadcast; and
Whereas, after losing her bid for reelection in November 1982, Joanne Duren
served as the Chief Clerk of the Wisconsin State Assembly during the 1983 and 1985
legislative sessions; and
Whereas, following her career as a public servant in Wisconsin, Joanne Duren
moved to Tucson, Arizona, where she enriched her community with volunteer work
at her church and other charitable organizations; and
Whereas, Joanne Duren passed away on November 26, 2022, at the age of 91;
now, therefore, be it
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Resolved by the assembly, That the members of the Wisconsin Assembly
mourn the passing of Representative Joanne Duren and celebrate her
accomplishments as a legislator.
(END)
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