Wisconsin Representative Phil Montgomery Announces His Retirement

May 7, 2010

Our good friend and colleague Phil Montgomery, Wisconsin State representative and long time ALEC member, has announced his retirement from the State Assembly on Friday, May 7th.  Phil will continue to serve his constituents and remain on the ALEC Board until the completion of his legislative term which will be the end of this year. He was first elected in 1998, from the 4th Assembly District, which includes the villages of Allouez and Ashwaubenon, and parts of the cities of Green Bay and De Pere.

Phil’s outstanding leadership and initiative has been instrumental in making ALEC a better and more effective organization. It has been a great pleasure to serve with him on the ALEC Board of Directors and his wit and wisdom will be missed. We all wish him the very best in his future endeavors and hope that he will remain an active participant in ALEC.

Rep. Montgomery statement on his retirement from the Wisconsin Legislature:

“It has been by the grace of God, the support of my wife and children, and the overwhelming generosity and kindness of the citizenry of the 4th Assembly District that I have been able to serve in the Wisconsin State Legislature for 12 years. To each of you I owe a debt of gratitude that is beyond measure and I tell you this because today I am announcing that I will not be seeking a 7^th term in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

“My faith has been my rock. In my first term my Pastor, Don Behrendt of Peace Lutheran Church, sent me a sermon detailing how more than any other phrase the Bible says “Do not be afraid”. I have tried my best to live up to that. My wife Lisa has stood by my side for 24 years, half of those I have served in elected office. She has endured countless campaign events, dinners, speeches, mailings, yard signs, and nomination signatures as well as media coverage. She has spent way too many nights alone raising our kids while I have been in Madison or elsewhere pursuing my career.

“My children Michael and Katherine were 9 and 6 when I first ran; they were dropping campaign literature when other kids were at the park.

“The people of Allouez, Ashwaubenon, De Pere and Green Bay have been very supportive of my efforts and my family. I learned early on that they may not always agree with me but they appreciated knowing where I stood.

“I have often been asked how anyone can serve in public office these days, my answer is simple, it is the kindness of my constituents that has always been my fuel. I cannot count the times someone has come up to me in a grocery store, at a Packer Game or high school football game and said ‘I appreciate what you are doing.’

“My parents, Leona and Errett, raised me with a belief that we all are part of what makes this country great and that we each have a responsibility to work toward making it better.

“I hope in the end I am remembered for protecting human life, working hard and for getting good things done. Words fail me when I try to express my profound gratitude to you all. God Bless, good luck and God Bless America and the great state of Wisconsin!”

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