March 4, 2004

WASHINGTON – Representative Tom Petri and Senator Russ Feingold today will introduce resolutions in the U.S. House and Senate commemorating the 150th anniversary of the first meeting of the Republican Party in Ripon, Wisconsin.

The resolutions are cosponsored by every member of the U.S. House and Senate from Wisconsin.

"The resolution helps to underline the fact that Ripon's is the best claim for the location of the founding of the Republican party," Petri said. "I'm very happy that the Wisconsin congressional delegation, led in the Senate by Sen. Feingold, has put Ripon and Wisconsin first by helping us to mark this important milestone."

"I am proud to stand with Congressman Petri in introducing this resolution," Feingold said. "This is an important piece of Wisconsin's history and I congratulate the City of Ripon on this historic commemoration. From Bob La Follette to William Proxmire, Wisconsin has a bipartisan tradition of fighting for political change on all sides of the aisle. The upcoming anniversary shows the lasting determination of the Wisconsinites who gathered in a little white schoolhouse in Ripon 150 years ago this month. Again, I congratulate the City of Ripon on this occasion and look forward to working with the entire delegation in getting this resolution through the Congress

Here is the text of the resolution:

• Whereas, on March 20, 1854, 50 men, three women, and one child assembled in a simple frame schoolhouse, now known as the Little White Schoolhouse, in Ripon, Wisconsin, to advocate the creation of a new political party under the name "Republican";
• Whereas this March 20, 1854, meeting in Ripon, Wisconsin, was the first of many grassroots meetings that led to the formal founding of the Republican Party;
  
  
• Whereas the city of Ripon is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the first meeting of the Republican Party with a celebration entitled "From Schoolhouse to White House; a Celebration of Active Citizenship", which includes a series of civic and educational events;
  
  
• Whereas the Little White Schoolhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was designated by the Department of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark on May 30, 1974, and attracts visitors from around the world; and
  
  
• Whereas the Little White Schoolhouse serves as a symbol of civic responsibility and grassroots political activism: Now, therefore, be it
  
  
• Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the first meeting of the Republican Party in Ripon, Wisconsin.