MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #261 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Fri., May 23, 2025, in honor of former Wisconsin State Rep. James F. Rooney, who passed away on Sat., May 3, 2025, at the age of 89.
“Former Rep. Rooney led an extraordinary life of selflessness, serving his community and our state with humility, perseverance, and compassion over his decades of dedicated public service,” said Gov. Evers. “Kathy and I extend our deepest condolences to Rep. Rooney’s friends, family, loved ones, and the Racine community as they honor his memory and mourn his passing.”
Born in Racine, former Rep. Rooney served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. In 1972, former Rep. Rooney was elected to serve in the Wisconsin State Legislature, where he represented the 61st Assembly District and the 20th Assembly District for more than a decade. During his time in the Assembly, former Rep. Rooney served on various committees, including the committees on elections, financial institutions, government operations, rules, and more, and he was elected as majority caucus chair in 1983. During the legislative session in 1977, former Rep. Rooney aided in the creation of the Wisconsin Waterways Commission and served as chair of the commission for over three decades. In addition to his life of public service, former Rep. Rooney was also deeply committed to the Racine community, serving as a member of the Racine Yacht Club and the Racine Heritage Museum Board, Racine County highway commissioner and director of public works, chairman of both the Racine County Board of Harbor Commissioners and Racine County Board of Supervisors.
Services for former Rep. Rooney will be held on Fri., May 23, 2025, in Racine.
Executive Order #261 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Fri., May 23, 2025, and is available here.
An online version of this release is available here.
