Speakers at the Law School

On the Issues with Mike Gousha

Tuesday, September 6—Gordon Haberman, father of 9-11 victim Andrea Haberman—On September 11, 2001, Gordon Haberman’s 25-year-old daughter was on a business trip to New York. Andrea Haberman was on the 92nd floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center when terrorists slammed a hijacked plane into the building. She and 3,000 others died in the series of attacks on America on 9-11. Just days before the 10th anniversary of the attacks, Gordon Haberman will share the story of his daughter and his family’s search for answers and justice. It’s a journey that has taken him from Washington County to Washington, D.C, and all the way to Guantánamo. What have we learned 10 years after 9-11? Marquette Law School, Eckstein Hall, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Registration link.

Friday, September 16—State Senators Dale Schultz and Tim Cullen—Senator Schultz is a Republican from Richland Center. Senator Cullen is a Democrat from Janesville. Together, they’ve launched what they’re calling their “Common Ground” tour. After a summer of bitter recall elections, Schultz and Cullen are pushing for a new era of bipartisan cooperation in Madison. They’re also introducing a constitutional amendment that would end Supreme Court elections in Wisconsin, and replace them with a merit-based selection program. Should justices be appointed rather than elected? Can Republicans and Democrats work together? Senators Schultz and Cullen will address those questions and more when they visit Eckstein Hall. Marquette Law School, Eckstein Hall, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Registration link.

Thursday, October 20—Wisconsin U.S. Representative Gwen Moore— After serving 16 years as a state lawmaker, Congresswoman Moore was elected to the House of Representatives in 2004. The Milwaukee Democrat represents Wisconsin’s 4th District, which includes Milwaukee and her alma mater, Marquette University. Moore is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Budget Committee. In addition to her committee work, Congresswoman Moore was elected Democratic co-chair of the Congressional Women’s Caucus by her female colleagues. She’ll discuss the critical issues facing this nation, and today’s political climate, during her appearance at the Law School. Marquette Law School, Eckstein Hall, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Registration link.

Tuesday, October 11—Abby Ramirez, Executive Director of Schools That Can Milwaukee—A former business executive, Abby Ramirez has quickly become a leading voice for education reform in Milwaukee. The goal of the organization she co-founded, Schools That Can Milwaukee, is to have 20,000 children in high-performing urban schools—public, charter, and choice—by 2020. To do that, Ramirez and her organization work to identify schools where children are succeeding, and then attempt to replicate those models across the city. In addition to her business background, Ramirez worked on public policy issues for a California-based foundation. A passionate believer in the power of education to transform, Ramirez received her B.S. in Commerce from the University of Virginia. She has an M.B.A. and M.A. in Education from Stanford University. Marquette Law School, Eckstein Hall, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Registration link.

We have long been a fan of Mike Gousha’s speakers series at the Law School. This is partly because it’s ideologically balanced, but also because Gousha has an excellent record of lining up the movers and shakers who matter in Wisconsin politics (and occasionally, in national politics). These aren’t the most profound intellectuals around, but you can’t really understand Wisconsin politics without hearing them and knowing how they think and what they say.