Marlys Matuszak
"I was born Dec. 1, 1951, in Rice Lake, the fourth child of Sherben and Gerda (Nussbaum) Gunderson. When I was five months old, my family moved to Wausau so my father could work for the General Telephone Company. I have always considered Wausau my real hometown.
"I attended Lincoln Elementary School when it was the oldest school in the city. I attended John Muir High when it was the newest junior high in the city. And I attended and graduated from Wausau High School when it was the only public high school in the city. It was at Wausau High School that I became infatuated with politics. Although I had been a campaign volunteer since I was 11 years old, I really didn't develop a passion for politics and our system of government until high school. This can be attributed to a semester long run-in with Mr. Jerry Madison, my American History teacher. Jerry's enthusiasm for his subject rubbed off on many of his students, and I was one of them. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a minor in Economics.
"My passion for politics led me on many great adventures and afforded me the opportunity to meet people from all over the United States and the world. It will never cease to amaze me that one of the most powerful men in Congress, Dave Obey, not only knows my name, but calls me 'friend.'
"I am proud to have served the Democratic Party in many positions including Marathon County Party Treasurer and Party Chair, 7th Congressional District Chair, Wisconsin Democratic Party Treasurer and Party Chair, and the longest serving member of the Administrative Committee. In 1992, I had the privilege of participating in the Electoral College and casting my vote for President Bill Clinton.
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