NEWSMAKERS: Petri says goodbye to Congress

U.S. Rep. Tom Petri's last days in public office are busy ones as a changing of the guard takes place in Washington D.C.

There's tremendous turnover in the 435-member House of Representatives. Almost 80 are leaving office and the newly elected Congress is settling in, Petri said.

"There's a lot of moving around right now and I've been moved out of my office into cubicle number 11 in the Rayburn building, but we still have a view," said Petri, who was first elected to represent Wisconsin 6th Congressional District in a 1979 special election to replace the late William Steiger.

His staff is spread out all over, some working from home.

A new Congress begins at noon Jan. 3 of each odd-numbered year following a general election. House representatives are elected for two-year terms, with each year constituting a separate session.

A report will be issued at year-end on Petri's remaining campaign funds. Donations are under consideration and while some of the money will go to the state's Republican Party, the rest may be funneled to several community foundations.

The face of D.C. for local residents

Petri has been the face and voice of the 6th Congressional District for more than three decades and his retirement will change the leadership style the district has known for decades.

"I'd say my stewardship style was to lead by helping others and pitching in and hoping others will follow, rather than tending to dominate. That's been my approach," Petri said.

New representative Glenn Grothman has a reputation as a more outspoken leader. His controversial stands on issues such as welfare and single parenthood and his remarks about women have generated controversial headlines.

Petri seems content to go out quietly after his long career in Congress. The recent decision by the House Ethics Committee to close a case against him was icing on the cake. Petri said he had asked the committee to review the matter and worked closely with it.

The committee concluded that Petri's office repeatedly sought the advice of ethics committee staffers before taking official actions on behalf of companies in which he owned significant amounts of stock, and largely followed that advice. The Ethics Committee began looking into the matter in July, though Petri initially asked for an investigation in spring when his ties to Oshkosh Corp. drew media attention.

"They (the committee members) were willing to go through the effort and lay to rest the concerns. They voted unanimously to close the matter and I appreciate it," Petri said.

FDL roots

As Petri approaches his last day in office — Wednesday, Dec. 31 — he reflects fondly on his Wisconsin district and how young people move away, but most often come back because it's a great place to raise a family.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to have represented this area and I appreciate all the support and the occasional constructive criticism," he said. "I feel we are very lucky here."

Years ago Monroe County used to be a part of the 6th District and Petri retells a story that has always stuck in his head as a reflection of the Midwest mindset.

"I was talking to the wife of a fellow who had moved to Tomah from out east to take on an executive position. I asked her how they were getting along and she said a neighbor had called her up to tell her that the tomatoes in her garden were ripe," Petri said. "I guess some people would find that annoying but on the other hand people here are just trying to be neighborly."

Petri said he hopes the new leaders taking office will realize that the strength of a country is its people and the government is there to provide a framework for them to realize their potential and make a contribution.

"We need to be helping people who take responsibility, rather than encouraging them to rely on the government to solve every problem. That's not the way things work," he said.

Looking ahead

The Congressman's retirement plans include traveling the local college circuit with retired 7th District Rep. Dave Obey. Petri said the two respect each other's points of view.

"I also love to read and I'm working on a biography of Benjamin Franklin and I just finished another on George Washington. It was a fascinating time in history when he came out of retirement to preside over the Constitutional Convention and was active in developing the Constitution," Petri said.

Not ready to retire, his wife, Anne, will remain in Washington D.C. serving as president of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. The couple met while Anne was working as part of the legal staff at the Reagan White House. They will continue to enjoy their home on Lake De Neveu just outside of Fond du Lac, Petri said.

They have one daughter, Alexandra Petri, who is on the editorial board at the Washington Post.

Contact Sharon Roznik at sroznik@fdlreporter.com or (920) 907-7936; on Twitter: @sharonroznik.