Obey-Petri Series: launch state tour on civic engagement
MARSHFIELD – Two retired Wisconsin congressmen from opposite political parties kicked off their first lecture in a series about bipartisanship and civic participation on Monday at UW-Marshfield/Wood County.
Former U.S. Reps. Dave Obey — a Democrat who served Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District from 1969 to 2011 — and Tom Petri — a Republican who served Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District from 1979 to January 2015— are traveling to college campuses throughout Wisconsin to discuss with students and community members how they, as citizens, can further political causes through bipartisanship.
“We personally feel very strongly that we have really failed the upcoming generation because we are leaving them with the impression that politics is no damn good — that we lost the ability to govern,” Obey said.