Robert Wittke, Wisconsin State Representative for 63rd District | Facebook
Robert Wittke, Wisconsin State Representative for 63rd District | Facebook
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "a special observance day in schools for Armenian Genocide Awareness Day".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill establishes April 24 as Armenian Genocide Awareness Day, adding it to the existing list of special observance days in schools. Current law requires that special observance days must be recognized when school is in session. If the designated day falls on a weekend, it should be observed on the closest school day. The bill specifies that this act will first apply to the school year starting after the effective date.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Van H. Wanggaard (Republican-21st District), Representative Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), Representative Brienne Brown (Democrat-43rd District), and Representative Ryan M. Clancy (Democrat-19th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), Senator Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), and Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin (Democrat-8th District), along with 30 other co-sponsors.
Robert Wittke has authored or co-authored another 26 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Wittke graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1980 with a BA.
Wittke, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 63rd Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Robin Vos.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB256 | 05/08/2025 | A special observance day in schools for Armenian Genocide Awareness Day |
| AB196 | 04/15/2025 | Rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System. (FE) |
| AB92 | 02/28/2025 | Spinal cord injury research grants and symposia and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| AB1 | 01/31/2025 | Changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE) |
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