John Plewa

John R. Plewa (September 22, 1945 – September 13, 1995) was an American educator and Democratic politician from Wisconsin. He served 10 years in the Wisconsin State Senate and 12 years in the State Assembly, representing Milwaukee. Plewa is most well-known for authoring Wisconsin's 1988 family and medical leave law.[1]

John R. Plewa
Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 7th district
In office November 13, 1984 – September 13, 1995
Preceded by	Jerry Kleczka
Succeeded by	Richard Grobschmidt
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office January 3, 1983 – November 12, 1984
Preceded by	Vernon W. Holschbach
Succeeded by	Dale Bolle
Constituency	2nd district
In office January 1, 1973 – January 3, 1983
Preceded by	District established
Succeeded by	James F. Rooney
Constituency	20th district
Personal details
Born	September 22, 1945 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died	September 13, 1995 (aged 49) John L. Doyne Hospital Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, U.S.
Cause of death	Cancer
Resting place	St. Adalbert Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Susan
Children	2 sons
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin–Whitewater (B.S.)
Profession	teacher, politician

Biography

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Plewa graduated from Milwaukee's Don Bosco High School in 1963. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in 1968. Following his graduation, he worked as a teacher at the Milwaukee Area Technical College and was a member of the United Steelworkers union.[2]

In 1970, he was a candidate in a four-way primary which unseated incumbent state senator Leland McParland, losing to Kurt Frank. In 1972, Plewa was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly serving until 1984, when he was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in a special election after incumbent Jerry Kleczka was elected to the Congressional seat long held by Clement Zablocki.[3][4]

He was a member of the Cudahy Jaycees, and the United Steelworkers Union.[5] The Lake Parkway of Wisconsin Highway 794 was named in memory of Senator Plewa.[6]

References

1. "Family leave author Plewa dies". Wisconsin State Journal. September 15, 1995. p. 23. Retrieved January 22, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
2. "Plewa, John R. 1945". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2009-11-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. "1995-1996 Wisconsin Legislature Documents" (PDF). Legis.state.wi.us. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
5. The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1985-86 edition, Members of the State Legislature, Page 34.
6. Christopher J. Bessert. "Milwaukee Freeways: Lake Freeway". Wisconsin Highways. Retrieved 2018-07-17.

External links

• John Plewa at Find a Grave