Recognizing the 1-year anniversary of the tragic attack at the Waukesha Christmas Parade on November 21, 2021, and honoring the 6 individuals who lost their lives and the 62 others who were injured.

Recognizing the 1-year anniversary of the tragic attack at the Waukesha Christmas Parade on November 21, 2021, and honoring the 6 individuals who lost their lives and the 62 others who were injured. Whereas, on November 21, 2021, the City of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and the City of Waukesha Chamber of Commerce held the 58th annual Waukesha Christmas Parade, which has for more than 50 years brought residents of Wisconsin together to celebrate the holiday season with family, friends, and neighbors; Whereas attendees and participants of the parade included hundreds of children, families, and valued community institutions such as local law enforcement, public safety professionals, school groups, business leaders, and dance troupes, including the beloved Dancing Grannies Whereas, on the day of the parade, a perpetrator committed a senseless attack, driving through the parade barricades and ramming into the crowd of attendees and parade participants; Whereas police officers bravely attempted to intervene to stop the ongoing attack; Whereas the perpetrator caused the death of 6 individuals and the injury of 62 other individuals, including 17 children; Whereas local hospitals and health professionals cared for many of the injured, several of whom continue to suffer long term effects from their injuries; Whereas countless individuals were injured by the immeasurable and lasting trauma of witnessing the attack; Whereas, on October 26, 2022, a jury of 12 Wisconsinites found the accused perpetrator guilty on 76 counts, including 6 counts of first-degree intentional homicide; Whereas the Waukesha community continues to contend with the aftermath of the tragic attack and will do so for years to come; Whereas members of the Waukesha community will be stronger for having supported one another during and in the aftermath of the attack; and Whereas, despite such tragedy, the City of Waukesha and Waukesha Chamber of Commerce will continue the tradition of hosting the Waukesha Christmas Parade, which has brought joy to the community for more than half a century: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate (1) recognizes the 1-year anniversary of the tragic attack at the Waukesha Christmas Parade on November 21, 2021, and condemns the attack in the strongest possible terms; (2) honors the memories of Tamara Durand, Wilhelm Hospel, Jane Kulich, Leanna Owen, Virginia Sorenson, and Jackson Sparks; (3) recognizes the strength of the City of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and the resilience of the community in response to the attack; (4) applauds the bravery of the first responders and medical professionals who responded to the attack and cared for the injured; and (5) offers heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and neighbors who lost loved ones in the attack.

Summary: This resolution recognizes the one-year anniversary of the tragic attack at the Waukesha Christmas Parade on November 21, 2021. The resolution condemns the attack and honors the memories of Tamara Durand, Wilhelm Hospel, Jane Kulich, Leanna Owen, Virginia Sorenson, and Jackson Sparks.