Out of Wisconsin's 33 state senators, Fred Risser gets first pick—first choice of office in the minority party and even where he parks his car at the Capitol. But Risser has earned it, serving his 49th year in the state Legislature. At 78, he is both Wisconsin's and the United States' longest-serving state lawmaker, in office for almost one-third of Madison's history.
In one of the last Senate in-sessions of the current Legislative cycle, Risser was acknowledged for his commitment to Wisconsin Wednesday, receiving accolades from colleagues and reflecting on his first piece of legislation.
A stalwart supporter of tobacco control, Risser has always pushed for strong public health standards.
It was my bill that brought [that] about. When I first started, there were no laws against smoking—you could smoke at any age,\ Risser recalled. ""I introduced a bill to limit smoking for kids under 16. In committee it only got one vote—my vote.""
Born May 5, 1927, Risser grew up on a farm two miles west of downtown Madison. Following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, grandfather and father, Risser's tenure in the Legislature marks the fourth successive Risser generation.
""I knew from the time I was old enough to know there was a Legislature that I was going to be involved,"" Risser said. ""I was born with a political spoon in my mouth. It may be genetic.""
Michael Stevens, the State Historic Preservations Officer, said although it is not uncommon to see families serving multiple generations in office, the Risser family legacy is remarkable in its longevity of more than a century of collective service to the state.
""I don't think there's any single family who has had service that is as long as Fred Risser and his ancestors,"" Stevens said. ""Clearly there's a tradition of public service and political involvement that gets passed on in that family from one generation to the next.""
A 1945 graduate of Madison West High School, Risser attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., UW-Madison and the University of Oregon before earning a law degree at the University of Oregon in 1952.
Risser was first elected to the state Assembly in 1956—a position he said was more of a part-time job for six months out of the year. He said budgets were usually passed by summer before lawmakers adjourned to pursue private enterprises.
""Today, there are some of us that still have other activities, but there's not too many activities you can do and still be in the Legislature,"" he said. ""You can't be a full-time teacher, for instance, and be in the Legislature. It'd be a strict conflict of time.""
However, the senator has seamlessly juggled time commitments with the finesse of a seasoned pro. He is currently a sole practitioner in a small law firm right across the street from the Capitol. Although he does not engage in trial work anymore, his passionate commitment to the practice still remains strong.
""Real estate, domestic, divorce, probate, small claims, collections and defense—I do a little bit of everything,"" he said. ""My practice consists basically of clients who I know personally that had been clients of my father's.""
Recalling fond memories from the city's earlier days, Risser said he can remember when Madison's trolley lines went down the middle of State Street, dividing the two-way automobile traffic.
""It used to be that all your stores were downtown—all of your clothing stores. If you wanted to go shopping, you'd come down to the Square,"" Risser said. ""That was before you had West Towne and East Towne. Major clothing stores and major shops were right around the Square. State Street was one of the most active streets in town.""
Over the last 49 years in office—20 of which included the position as President of the Senate—Risser has passed hundreds of bills, championing a plethora of issues ranging from contraceptives to an overhaul of the criminal code.
Jerry McLaughlin, spokesperson for state Sen. John Marchi, R-Staten Island, the senator in friendly competition for longest-serving state legislator in U.S. history before announcing retirement in April, said Risser's service to Wisconsin is highly commendable.
""[Marchi] would like to congratulate Mr. Risser for having endured in office and obviously satisfying the needs of his constituency,"" McLaughlin said.
When asked about what the future holds, Risser remains noncommittal about the possibilities of running for another term in 2008—his 12th full-term election to the state Senate.
""Right now I'm in the middle of a four-year term, so I have another year to decide as to whether I'm going to run again,"" he said. ""It depends on a lot of factors. Right now I'm just doing the best I can in the position I'm in.""
\
