Tesmer, Louise M., 1942-

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Tesmer, Louise M., 1942-

Papers, 1973-1976.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection EN

1.6 cubic ft. (4 boxes)

ABSTRACT: Papers of a female Democratic legislator from Wisconsin's 19th Assembly District, mainly letters to and from constituents, and interested citizens and organizations of Wisconsin. Most of the letters relate to budget bills or abortion legislation.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The papers of Louise M. Tesmer pertain only to her legislative career. The papers are almost totally letters to and from constituents, interested citizens and organizations of Wisconsin. There is a copy of the three questionnaires mailed to district voters and a one-page summary of returns for each. More than half the papers are arranged in a subject file covering a wide variety of legislative interests. There are very few letters for 1976.

The papers are grouped in two series: Constituent Correspondence and Subject Correspondence. The Constituent Correspondence contains incoming and outgoing General Correspondence for 1973 and 1974 chronologically arranged. Topics include the Wisconsin teacher retirement plan, legality of 65-foot double-bottom trucks, merger plan within the University of Wisconsin System, studded snow tires, no-fault divorce, and the proposed closing of several state medical or correctional facilities. The Questionnaire Related Correspondence is both incoming and outgoing for 1973 and 1974, arranged chronologically. The majority of the letters are dated between October 1973 and May 1974, and concern such topics as stricter laws for drunken drivers, broadened arrest powers for the State Patrol, energy crisis, political campaign funding, state lottery, and public employees' right to strike. There is no correspondence relating to the third questionnaire.

The Subject Correspondence File contains incoming and outgoing letters and a few related clippings and/or memos on twenty-two general legislative topics for the period 1973-1976. Within each topic the papers are arranged chronologically. The greatest amount of material covers Abortion legislation, the state Budget, and the Humane Treatment of Animals. There is some duplication of topics with those in the first series. The researcher should be aware also that some letters in the Subject File are from constituents.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Louise M. Tesmer, a Democratic legislator from Wisconsin's 19th Assembly District, and a member of the State Bar was born in Milwaukee, December 25, 1942. Daughter of Edward William Tesmer and Genevieve Marie Mitdbo Tesmer, she is a graduate of Bay View High School and, in 1964, of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 1967 she received her J.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As an undergraduate, she was elected to Sigma Tau Delta, honorary English society, was literary editor of Cheshire Magazine, and secretary-treasurer of the Slavic Language Club.

She holds membership in Kappa Beta Pi, international legal association, the National Order of Women Legislators, and the American Council of Young Political Leaders of which she was a 1974 delegate to the U.S.S.R. She has honorary membership in the Municipal Justice Association, and is a former member of the Milwaukee County Protective Services Advisory Board and the A.F.L.-C.I.O. In 1968 she was awarded the "Carol Citation" by the Cudahy Jaycees, and in 1972, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's "Distinguished Service Award." Since 1973, she has served on the Board of Visitors of the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Tesmer was elected Municipal Justice, St. Francis, Wisconsin for 1966-67, and appointed Assistant District Attorney, Milwaukee County, 1967-1972. She was a delegate to the Wisconsin Democratic State Convention, 1972 and 1973, and to the Democratic National Convention, 1976. She was elected to the state legislature in 1972 reelected in 1974 and 1976. Her biennial committee assignments have included Criminal Justice and Public Safety (vice chairperson), 1977; Judiciary and Joint Interim Committees, 1973, 1975, 1977; Commerce and Consumer Affairs (vice chairperson), 1975, (member), 1973. Tesmer is a candidate for reelection in 1978.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Tesmer, Louise M., 1942-. Records, 1973-1976. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection EN. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Who's Who in American Politics, 1977-78, Bowerk, N.Y., 1977, p. 988. Wisconsin. Blue Book, 1973, 1975, 1977, p. 35.

ACQUISITION: Presented by Louise M. Tesmer, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. M75-56, Feb. 6, 1975; M75-144, April 18, 1975; M77-55, Feb. 17, 1977.

PROCESSING: S. Annette Gallagher (F.G.H. Intern) - Joanne Hohler, July 28, 1978

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Abortion--Law and legislation--Wisconsin.
Democratic Party (Wis.).
Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Wisconsin--Politics and government.
Women legislators--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION EN	BOX	FOLDER
Constituent Correspondence, General, January-March 1973	1	1
Constituent Correspondence, General, April-May 1973	1	2
Constituent Correspondence, General, June-December 1973	1	3
Constituent Correspondence, General, January-February 1974	1	4
Constituent Correspondence, General, March 1974	1	5
Constituent Correspondence, General, April-August 1974	1	6
Questionnaire Related, 1973-1974, Number 1, 1973, October 1973-May 1974	1	7
Questionnaire Related, 1973-1974, Number 2, 1973, December 1973-May 1974	1	8
Questionnaire Related, 1973-1974, Number 3, 1974	1	9
Subject Correspondence, Abortion, January-February 1973	2	1
Subject Correspondence, Abortion, March 1973	2	2
Subject Correspondence, Abortion, April 1973	2	3
Subject Correspondence, Abortion, May-December 1973	2	4
Subject Correspondence, Alcohol (Implied Consent Law), March 1973-September 1975	2	5
Subject Correspondence, Beer (license), January-August 1973	2	6
Subject Correspondence, Budget, February-April 1973	2	7
Subject Correspondence, Budget, May 1973-June 1974	2	8
Subject Correspondence, Budget, February-April, 1975	2	9
Subject Correspondence, Budget, May 1975	2	10
Subject Correspondence, Budget, June-October 1975	3	1
Subject Correspondence, Cabinet Government, April 2-17, 1975	3	2
Subject Correspondence, Chiropractic Medicine (Insurance Coverage), April 1973-July 1974	3	3
Subject Correspondence, Correctional Institutions, February-August 1973	3	4
Subject Correspondence, Energy Crisis, January-April 1974	3	5
Subject Correspondence, Handicapped, February-May 1974	3	6
Subject Correspondence, Health Care, May 1973-October 1974	3	7
Subject Correspondence, Humane Treatment of Animals, February 1973-March 1974	3	8
Subject Correspondence, Insurance (No Fault), January 1973-April 1974	3	9
Subject Correspondence, Invitations, April 1973-August 1974	3	10
Subject Correspondence, Maps, February 1973-July 1974	3	11
Subject Correspondence, Milwaukee County, January 1973-November 1974	3	12
Subject Correspondence, Probate Reform, January 1973-January 1974	3	13
Subject Correspondence, Schools, January-November 1974	3	14
Subject Correspondence, Seat Belts, May-December 1973	4	1
Subject Correspondence, Sewers, June-September 1974	4	2
Subject Correspondence, St. Francis, Wisconsin, October 1973-November 1974	4	3
Subject Correspondence, State Patrol, February-March 1973	4	4
Subject Correspondence, Tax Bills, May 1973-May 1974	4	5
Subject Correspondence, Miscellany, January-December 1973	4	6
Subject Correspondence, Miscellany, January-March 1974	4	7
Subject Correspondence, Miscellany, April-December 1974	4	8
Subject Correspondence, Miscellany, February, 1975-October 1976	4	9