The Man Who Created The
Golden Fleece Award is Gone
SYKESVILLE, MD (Dec. 15, 2005) One of the State of Wisconsin's greatest treasures has passed away at age 90. Democrat William Proxmire, a long-time advocate of not wasting the money of taxpayers on needless government spending, and many other worthwhile endevours, died at a convelescent home in Sykesville, Maryland. The former U.S. Senator from Wisconsin suffered from Alzheimer's disease in his later years.
"Today is a sad day for Wisconsin, who lost a favorite statesman in William Proxmire. I am deeply saddened, but I also know that the last few years were incredibly difficult for both him and his family, and sincerely hope that his passing brings them all a measure of peace," stated Wisconsin Governor James Doyle.
"William Proxmire was a brilliant man and an extraordinary U.S. Senator. He taught an entire generation the value of being careful with taxpayer money. He was a visionary and independent-thinking politician who saw beyond the political advantages of supporting pork projects, and understood that deficits would harm generations to come - demanding that government work smarter with taxpayer money," said Doyle.
"He wanted government to put its resources to work to improve the lives of the people it represents. He cared deeply about scientific research and education, and that legacy formed the foundation for Wisconsin's continued leadership in each of these areas," Gov. Doyle said.
A number of other prominent Wisconsin politicians have comments and remembrances they wanted to share at the passing of Proxmire.
"I am deeply saddened today at the passing of former Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire, a great Wisconsin statesman and a dear friend," stated possible 2008 presidential candidate, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold.
"Senator Proxmire leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as a defender of the American taxpayer and one of the hardest working Senators in U.S. history. Whether he was handing out his Golden Fleece Awards to keep government waste in check or casting one of his more than 10,000 roll call votes, William Proxmire always had the people of Wisconsin at the forefront of his mind. Today, my thoughts are with his wife Ellen and his entire family," Feingold said.
Another Wisconsin Senaor wished to make his feelings known as well.
"Today, we mourn the loss and celebrate the life of William Proxmire, a great Senator, a great Wisconsinite, and a great man," said U.S. Senator Herb Kohl. "He was a proud gadfly - the conscience of the Senate - reminding his colleagues daily of the dangers of financial misbehavior, the sins of wasteful spending, and the crime of genocide.
"He was the last of the true populist politicians - who took no campaign contributions, spent virtually nothing on his campaigns, and shook the hand of almost everyone in the State -- whether they supported him or not. Neither Wisconsin nor the Senate will see his equal again, and both are the poorer for his passing." Sen. Kohl concluded.
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U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Judy Robson issued the following statement on U.S. Senator William Proxmire:
“Senator Proxmire showed what one person can accomplish when they focus like a laser beam on the issues they feel passionately about. One person cannot change the world, but one person can change parts of the world for the better, as Senator Proxmire did with his crusade to force the U.S. Senate to approve an anti-genocide treaty. If we are unwavering in the pursuit of our goals, we can succeed.
“With his Golden Fleece awards, Senator Proxmire was a relentless watchdog of government spending. He showed the nation that a person can be progressive and fiscally conservative. He also set the standard for running a grassroots campaign that relied on meeting the maximum number of people rather than raising a lot of campaign contributions. His tireless door-to-door, town-to-town effort gave him the pulse of the people better than any pollster could. He taught us the importance of keeping close to our bosses – the people who elect us to office – and holding fast to our ideals. Senator Proxmire made Wisconsin proud, and we will miss him,” Robson said.
Many prominent Wisconsin Republican figures have also made heart-felt gestures upon the death of Proxmire,.including Representative James Sensenbrennerm and Representative Mark Green of Green Bay.
"Today, our state lost one of its most distinguished public servants – a man who spent 32 years in the United State Senate fighting against pork-barrel spending and Washington special interests," Rep. Green stated. "But, for my family and I, it wasn’t only Senator Proxmire’s political crusades that made him so special – it was his unwavering dedication to serving the people of Wisconsin.
"When I was just four years old, Senator Proxmire wrote a letter supporting my family’s visa application to move back to the United States. Although I was never able to thank him personally for his efforts on behalf of my family, he will still always hold a fond place in my heart. Sue and I send the Proxmire family our deepest sympathies during this difficult time, " stated Green.
Menomonee Falls Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, made the following remarks upon learning of the death of former Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire early this morning:
"This is a sad day for the State of Wisconsin, as we mourn the passing of one of its most high-profile sons, William Proxmire. Although he wasn't born in the state, he made his career, his home, and his name in Wisconsin. In turn, he was adopted by the people of Wisconsin with wide open arms.
Bill epitomized the true Wisconsin spirit. He demonstrated this in many ways -- through his independent streak, which often frustrated his party; through his 'Golden Fleece' awards, which ridiculed inefficient and wasteful federal programs in a blunt and humorous manner; and also through his work ethic, the one that ensured he didn't miss a single roll call vote in over 20 years, and which was responsible for thousands of speeches on the subject of an anti-genocide treaty.
Prox, the maverick, was the pride and joy of Wisconsin during his reign in the Senate, and it is appropriate that a few years ago he was named one of the 20 most significant Wisconsin figures of the 20th century.
His long struggle with Alzheimer's was well known, and I can certainly empathize with his family as my own mother fought a similar battle. I consider myself privileged to have known and worked with Bill during our years together in Congress. My wife, Cheryl, and I, express our condolences to Ellen and the Proxmire family, and our thoughts and prayers rest with them."
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Joe Wineke released the following statement today regarding the passing of former Senator William Proxmire morning.:
“We lost another giant of Wisconsin politics – former Senator William Proxmire, a true statesman and a leader of the modern Democratic Party of Wisconsin," said Wineke.
“Senator Proxmire was a man of great integrity, whose long tenure in the U.S. Senate was marked by his independence, his crusade against wasteful government spending through his ‘Golden Fleece Awards,’ and his populist campaigns. He might have been the last person to run for election in Wisconsin on a shoestring, refusing contributions and shaking as many hands across the state as he could. The less than $200 he did spend on his 1976 race was mostly on envelopes to return donations.
“He took his job fighting for the people of Wisconsin very seriously, going more than 20 years without missing a single roll call vote. He was well-known in the Senate for his work ethic and his maverick ways. And if ever a Democrat needed a speaker for an event, Bill Proxmire was there.
“Senator Proxmire truly earned the honor of being named one of the top 20 most significant Wisconsin figures of the 20th Century. Today we remember his legacy and his spirit, and extend our thoughts and prayers to his wife Ellen and the entire Proxmire family,” Wineke said.
Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton made the following statement regarding the passing of former U.S. Senator William Proxmire:
"Senator William Proxmire became a pivotal figure in Wisconsin's identity. He turned the shame of the McCarthy era into decades of fierce pride in this Senator who was, indeed, incorruptible, always outspoken and entirely independent. Senator Proxmire set high standards for public service. The ethic that defined his conduct in campaigns and in office is too often dismissed today as quaint by political figures.
"Bill Proxmire taught us that doing the right thing makes you a winner on multiple levels - in campaigns and on the floor of the U.S. Senate." Lt. Gov. Lawton said. "He was impervious to the seduction of special interest groups and of money in politics. We honor his legacy. May his spirit long endure."
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