Robert Wirch, Wisconsin State Senator for 22nd District | www.facebook.com
Robert Wirch, Wisconsin State Senator for 22nd District | www.facebook.com
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 creates a statutory requirement for public schools in Wisconsin to recognize April 24 as Armenian Genocide Awareness Day, adding it to the list of special observance days that must be appropriately noted during general school operations. If April 24 falls on a weekend, the day is observed on the nearest school day. The initial applicability of this act begins with the school year following its effective date.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Tip McGuire (Democrat-64th District), Senator Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), Senator Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin (Democrat-8th District), Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), and Representative Brienne Brown (Democrat-43rd District), along 30 other co-sponsors.
Robert W. Wirch has co-authored or authored another 17 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Wirch graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Parkside in 1970 with a BA.
Wirch, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1997 to represent the state's 22nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Joseph F. Andrea.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SB246 | 05/09/2025 | A special observance day in schools for Armenian Genocide Awareness Day |
| SB193 | 04/14/2025 | Revoking a transfer of real property on death, obtaining evidence of the termination of a decedent’s property interests, disbursing deposits after rescission of real property wholesaler contracts, and filing satisfactions of judgment |
| SB153 | 03/21/2025 | Expanding the treatment alternatives and diversion programs. (FE) |
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