Gov. Tony Evers today released a statement on the passing of former Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson.
“Kathy and I were devastated this morning to learn of Chief Justice Abrahamson’s passing. Chief Justice Abrahamson was a first—the first woman to serve on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the first woman to serve as chief justice. Yet, her legacy is defined not just by being a first, but her life’s work of ensuring she would not be the last, paving and lighting the way for the many women and others who would come after her.
Serving more than 40 years on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and writing more than 1,300 opinions, few others have given so much of themselves to the cause of public service in Wisconsin. Chief Justice Abrahamson was a meticulous jurist and a profound writer who believed in an independent judiciary. But she was also a champion for a more fair, more equitable state and country, and to that end, worked to hold our laws to account.
She has had a larger-than-life impact on the legal profession in Wisconsin and our state’s and country’s jurisprudence. She was a pillar of our state and the court for generations. We have missed her greatly on the court, and we will miss her greatly in this life. We are thinking of Chief Justice Abrahamson’s family and friends, and we join the people of Wisconsin in mourning the loss of one of our state’s most extraordinary public servants and honoring her legacy.”
Memberships
New ad highlights Prosser's sexist slur
Today the Greater Wisconsin Committee released a new commercial that highlights the recent news reports that Justice David Prosser called Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson “a total bitch” and threatened to “destroy” her. http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/118310479.html
When the comments were first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Prosser did not back away from his sexist slur, insisting: “I think it was entirely warranted” Instead of taking responsibility for his own actions Prosser blamed Abrahamson and fellow Justice Ann Walsh Bradley for being: “masters at deliberately goading people into perhaps incautious statements.”
Several days after the public disclosure of his tirade against the Chief Justice, Prosser continued to blame others for his slur: “Asked how he would return civility to the high court, Prosser accused Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson and Justice Ann Walsh Bradley of "ganging up" on him to unseat him from the court, where he has served for 12 years.” http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_b468c290-54db-11e0-a950-001cc4c002e0.html
Prosser’s temper tantrums have marked his entire career. The commercial uses footage from his tenure in the legislature when as Assembly Speaker “he threw a temper tantrum on the Assembly floor, pounding the podium and screaming at other representatives, because a film crew was there documenting debate on a health care bill.” (http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/dave_zweifel/article_5f1cac98-8adc-5bcd-8f89-d445e1010ee6.html
Just two years ago during a Supreme Court hearing “he not only blew up at Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, but launched into a tirade against witnesses who were there advocating tough rules for judges to recuse themselves when principals in a case had contributed big bucks to their election campaigns.” http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/dave_zweifel/article_5f1cac98-8adc-5bcd-8f89-d445e1010ee6.html
Watch the wiseye video here: at 1:15 http://71.87.25.133/IVOD/SCT/SCT_091028_CONF_2.wmv
The Wausau Daily Herald recently editorialized about the disclosures about Prosser’s behavior towards the Chief Justice: “What that indicates is an injudicious personality, plain and simple. It's unacceptable behavior in any circumstance -- and surely it's worst of all in a Supreme Court Justice, whose entire job is to make rational decisions without prejudice. What's worse, Prosser's public statements indicate no ability whatsoever to take responsibility for his own actions. It's a very revealing episode, and frankly there is no defending it.” http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20110325/WDH06/103250418/1627/WDH05/We-endorse-state-Supreme-Court-JoAnne-Kloppenburg?odyssey=nav|head
Respected former Governor Patrick Lucey echoed similar concerns yesterday saying that Prosser has exhibited a “disturbing distemper and lack of civility that does not bode well for the High Court.” Governor Lucey Press Release, March 31, 2011. Lucey appointed Shirley Abrahamson to the Supreme Court in 1976, making her Wisconsin's first female justice.
“Sexist slurs and threats have no place on our state’s highest court. We expect our Supreme Court justices to have the highest level of ethics and integrity. This episode, along with a lengthy history of erratic behavior by Justice Prosser is not only disturbing, but raises questions about his ability to rationally and impartially decide cases as a member of the Court”, said Greater Wisconsin Committee Executive Director Michelle McGrorty
The commercial by the Greater Wisconsin Committee asks the public to call Justice Prosser to tell him that sexist slurs and threats of retribution have no place in the state’s highest courts. McGrorty declined to say how much the group was spending on the ad, but said it is running statewide starting today. This ad continues a long series of efforts over the past four years by GWC to educate the public about key issues regarding judicial ethics.
Shirley Abrahamson sues to keep chief justice position
Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson has filed a lawsuit asking for an injunction to keep the constitutional amendment approved in yesterday's vote from taking effect.
Abrahamson, 81, argued in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Madison that the change should not be applied until after her current term ends in four years or if she leaves before then.
To have the selection process change immediately would shorten the 10-year term of office to which Abrahamson was elected as chief justice, she argued, and would therefore violate her constitutional rights to due process and equal protection rights.
Press releases and other content not written by a specific Eye On Dunn County author are listed as Eye On Dunn County Staff.
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