My Encounters, My Life: YSEALI PFP Day 21: Wisconsin

10 May 2019

We were ready at 7.15am for our trip to Madison, Wisconsin. ACYPL alumnus Matt Summy took us on a 2.5 hours drive. With nodding heads from my peers, I had the chance to dominate the conversation with Matt for the bulk of the journey.

Many people think of lobbyists as persistent individuals trying to get something out from politicians. In fact, lobbyists are also good resource persons for politicians as there may be certain domain of knowledge that lobbyists could provide expertise on.

It was interesting to find out what he does in his work. Also got to know:

Kimberly-Clark and Harley-Davidson are two companies founded in the state of Wisconsin.

Madison is one of several cities named after former US Presidents. The others include Jefferson, Missouri; Jackson, Mississippi and Lincoln, Nebraska.

Electronic toll-gates that deduct toll fees automatically from drivers as they drive under these structures. There are more toll roads on the northwards side.

A stopover at the Belvidere Oasis for coffee

Caravan manufacturer

Janesville - the birthplace of former Paul Ryan, former Republican House Speaker

These machines reminded us of #PearceRanch

Weeds caps - seen in a petrol kiosk

Wisconsin State Capitol right in front of us

Since we were early, Matt drove us around the college town of Madison, home to the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Universities in the US are often referenced by the collegiate athletic conference group they are affiliated with. For instance, in the midwest, the Big Ten Conference universities include University of Chicago and University of Wisconsin - Madison. Then we have the Pac-12 universities which cover those on the West Coast. The most familiar would be the Ivy League.

Sorority Houses

It is graduation season

Lake Monona

Camp Randall, an historic U.S. Army site named after Wisconsin governor Alexander Randall. It is now a University stadium.

The road to Wisconsin State Capitol

Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes is an alumnus of ACYPL

"Wisconsin is home to the largest number of Native American Tribes east of the Mississippi River"

At 31, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes was elected as the first African American Lt. Governor in Wisconsin and the youngest Lt. Governor in the US. At 26, he was already elected as a Wisconsin State representative. During our meeting, he shared about the causes that he is passionate about and working on. As the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected on separate tickets, we also got to learn about the dynamics of both elected officers working together.

A group photo with Wisconsin's Lieutenant Governor

We then went for a tour of the Wisconsin State Capitol. State Capitols are also called the "People's House", as the people can freely access and sit in the various chamber seatings, to view their elected officials at work.

An exhibit on woman's suffrage movement "The Woman's Hour Has Struck".

On 10 June 1919, Wisconsin became the first state to ratify the 19th amendment granting national suffrage to women.

The view up from the rotunda

The Badger, a symbol of Wisconsin, sits right up there

Assembly Chamber

Door leading to the Hearing Room

Hearing Room

Wisconsin State Seal

Wisconsin's State motto: Forward. Directly below the motto is the Badger, Wisconsin's state animal. By the sides of the shield are a sailor and a miner, reflecting the key industries of the state back then.

The centre of the shield features the US shield and the motto "E Pluribus Unum" (one from many). The pick and shovel represent the early lead mining industry; and galena (lead ore) is the state mineral of Wisconsin. The plow represents agriculture. The arm and hammer represent Wisconsin's artisans and laborers. The anchor represents the sailing and shipping industry. Below the shield are a cornucopia - a symbol for the plenty of the state, bars of lead representing Wisconsin's mineral wealth, and 13 stars which symbolised the original thirteen states of the United States.

Next was the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court judges include 6 women and one man.

The painter drawn his son into the picture. His son is seen holding on to a dog.

Son in photo

Signing of the Constitution by George Washington

The painter interestingly included Thomas Jefferson in the painting even though Jefferson was in France during that period

Trial of tribal law

Till this day, Wisconsin still respects tribal law as a separate law.

Door to the Senate

Senate Chamber

Outside the State Capitol, there was a memorial for the Police at the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial.

We headed for lunch with Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes at the Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club.

The Badger, also a symbol of the University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup was awesome!

Buffet lunch

During lunch, we continued our barrage of questions, including "How do you avoid lobbyists that you do not want to talk to?" and "How do you garner the respect of people who might think you are too young for the job?"

My with Lieutenant Mandela Barnes

and Me with Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes!

A last photo with the Wisconsin State Capitol

Hans Christian Heg, Colonel 15th Wis. Vols.

Norwegian Americans gave this memorial to the State of Wisconsin

This marked the end of the official programme in Wisconsin. We headed over to Colectivo Coffee - On The Square for a cup of coffee.

And I said goodbye to the rest of the team. Thanks to social media, I got to know that Thomas was in Madison, and he gladly invited me for a stayover to explore the college town. Had not met him for about 5 years!