SOLUTION: Assembly Bill 384 specifically prohibits the use of any "Indian" mascot or logo in Wisconsin public schools. WIEA asks you to support an end to the practice of stereotyping Indian people in Wisconsin schools by asking your state legislator to sign on to AB384, bring it to the floor, and vote for it. You can have a significant, positive impact on inter-cultural relationships in schools and communities throughout the state.

• The State Senate now has a bill (SB341) authored by Rep. Gwendolynne Moore (D-Milwaukee), that has been referred to the Senate Education Committee. Calvin Potter will bring the issue to a hearing, probably in Madison. People can write to support both bills by writing their State Senator and Assembly Representative at the State Capitol, Madison WI 53702, or call toll-free 1-800-362-9472 (even if you do not know who your representatives are).
  
  Call your Senators on the Indian mascot bill.
  WE NEED YOUR HELP ON THE INDIAN MASCOT/LOGO BILL! SB 341 would ban racist Indian mascots and logos in all Wisconsin schools. It would make it unnecessary for Indian students and parents to legally challenge individual schools' mascots (which makes themselves open to majority community harassment). I am working on lobbying the Senate on Feb. 18th and 19th. Any support will help; please call me. Just as importantly, you can help from your home.

  In spite of a great Madison hearing with 11 opposed and 110 for the legislation (including many students from the City of Menomonie), this bill will NOT get out of committee without letters of support--especially letters to Senate Education Committee members from their OWN constituents. There are 54 School Districts with "Indian" logos and 33 Senate Districts in our State-- this means that the senators on the committee have built-in opposition to the legislation in their Senate Districts, they must have letters from constituents in their districts to justify voting for the measure. If you are a constituent of one of these Senate Districts, or if you pass this information along to someone who is a supportive constituent, your action could make the difference in bringing this legislation to the Senate floor:

  Senator Calvin Potter, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee Senate District 9 (Kohler, Sheboygan). Senator Potter should be commended for holding the first hearing on the mascot and logo issue that was respectful and treated Indian people with dignity.
  Senator Robert Jauch, Senate District 25 (Ashland, Superior)
  Senator Richard Grobschmidt, Senate District 7 (Milwaukee)
  Senator Kevin Shibilski, Senate District 24 (Stevens Point)
  Senator Alberta Darling, Senate District 8 (Milwaukee, Waukesha)
  Senator Joanne Huelsman, Senate District 11 (Waukesha, Mukwonago)
  Senator Carol A. Roessler, Senate District 18 (Oshkosh, Omro)
  Senator Scott L. Fitzgerald, Senate District 13 (Juneau, Beaver Dam)
  

  • Direct all correspondence to Senators to: P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882. Send a copy to my address below

  • Calls to the legislative hot line count too: (800)362-9472. And if you attended the hearing or heard about it and are not from the districts your comments may have some influence.
    
    
    
    Thank You for your support,
    Barbara Munson
  
  
  

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  Date:
  
  State Representative _________________________________
  Last Name A-L: P.O.Box 8952 • Last Name M-Z: P.O.Box 8953
  Madison, WI 53702-8952 or 8953
  
  Dear Assembly Representative ______________________________:

  I am a voter in your district. In that capacity I am requesting that you co-sponsor and vote for AB384 and also do all you can to bring it to an early public hearing.

  American Indians are used as symbols, mascots and logos in 57 Wsconsin school districts, despite requests, resolutions, and lawsuits by American Indian people to change this practice. The end result is that public schools are teaching and endorcing stereotyping of living, ethnic groups of people.

  Please let me know your position and intented action on this legislation. Thank you.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Signature: __________________________________
  
  Printed Name: ______________________________________
  
  Address: _______________________________________
  
  Zip code: ___________________