Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Honoring the life and service of educator Bruce A. Dahmen.
Body
WHEREAS, Bruce Dahmen was born on June 2, 1952 and grew up in Middleton; and
WHEREAS, Bruce's long relationship with James Madison Memorial High School began in 1970, when, playing for Middleton, he inadvertently, or perhaps prophetically, won the opening tip, turned the wrong way, and scored an uncontested layup on Memorial's basket; and
WHEREAS, Bruce earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1974, and, turning the right way this time, began his career at Memorial as a student teacher; and
WHEREAS, Bruce spent his entire 40-year career at JMM where he affected the lives of countless young people as a Business and Marketing Teacher for 23 years, Assistant Principal for 8 years, and Principal since 2005, earning his Masters in Educational Administration from UW -Madison along the way; and
WHEREAS, Bruce helped launch many Memorial students into entrepreneurial careers, including his two sons, who opened Dahmen's Pizza Place next to Memorial in 2010; and
WHEREAS, Bruce coached football, baseball and basketball in various capacities at Memorial for 30 years totaling 77 seasons; and
WHEREAS, Bruce treated all students equally, saw each one of them worthy of attention and respect and always encouraged them to, "Make good decisions," at every opportunity; and
WHEREAS, Memorial Educational Resource Officer Greg Hanson wrote these words on February 14:
"I took a look around today at the students, teachers and administrative staff and all I could see is Mr. Dahmen's "fingerprints." I walked about the school and found evidence of him everywhere: in the eyes and hearts of students, current and former alike, as well as in their many accomplishments and achievements. I noticed the signs posted around school explaining "The Memorial Way," which is about being RESPECTFUL: of yourself, of others and of the school. The Memorial way is further about being READY: to work together, to engage and to learn. It is finally about being RESPONSIBLE: for your learning, for your actions and for your attitude. The Memorial Way is, in short, Bruce Dahmen."
And
WHEREAS Bruce was the ultimate Spartan, even inspiring students to name the school's Spartan mascot "Bruce," in 2006; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Dahmen passed away on February 11, 2014 at the age of 61 in Tennessee, doing what he loved best, supporting a former student by attending his college basketball game;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and the Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby honor and commend the dedicated and inspirational life and public service of Bruce A. Dahmen and extend their condolences to his family and to the entire James Madison Memorial High School community of students, staff, alumni, parents and friends.