State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, will receive the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice's ""Lifetime Peacemaker"" award Saturday, October 8th, for his distinguished and often overlapping careers in politics and social activism.
The award, which the WPNJ has given only a handful of times in its 20-year history, is reserved for those with lifelong commitments are in line with the group's mission statement of, ""working toward the creation of a sustainable world, free from violence and injustice.""
Risser, who has represented Madison in various capacities in the Wisconsin Legislature since 1956, helped to found the WPNJ in 1991 amidst protests of the Gulf War. More recently, Risser was one of 14 Democratic senators who fled Wisconsin during the collective bargaining protests.
""It's recognition of 50 years of work, and its not just longevity, its what he's done,"" WPNJ Program Director Steve Burns said. ""He's willing to stand up for he believes is right.""
