David Zien
Encyclopedia
David Allen Zien is an American
politician. He is a former member of the Wisconsin State Senate
, who represented Wisconsin's 23rd Senate district. He is a member of the Republican Party of Wisconsin
.
Zien was born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
and attended Cadott High School. He has a B.S. from University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and an M.S. from University of Wisconsin–Stout. Zien simultaneously attended both UW-Eau Claire, and UW-Stout, earning his bachelor's and Master's degrees in record time. Zien served in the United States Marine Corps
from 1968 to 1970, and is a Vietnam War
veteran. Prior to holding elective office, Zien was a campus administrator at Northcentral Technical College; employment, veteran's and welfare counselor; roofer, bouncer, farmhand, and longshoreman. In 1991, Zien participated in a one-armed push-up contest and did 7,127 one-armed pushups in 3.5 hours. Clark Hughes, Chuck Lee, and Scott Schultz were witnesses to this event.
Zien was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly
in 1988 and to the Wisconsin Senate in 1993 in a special election. He became the President Pro Tempore in 2005. He was defeated in his Fall 2006 re-election campaign by Democrat Pat Kreitlow
.
Zien is well known around Wisconsin for driving around his district on a motorcycle
with full-size American and Wisconsin flags. He was inducted in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame
in 2000. On March 13, 2011, Zien was seriously injured while traveling in Florida on his motorcycle.
During his time in office, Zien was the recipient of many awards, including the following: Legislator of the Year: Wis. Fire Chiefs Assn.2000, Wis. Bowhunters Assn. 2000, Wis. Builders Assn. 1998, Wis. DAV 1996, WACVO 1996and 1993, Milw. Police
Assn. 1995, VVA 1994, American Legion 1993, VFW 1990, ABATE 1990; Wis. AllianceforFire Safety Outstanding
Legislator 2000; Natl. MC Hall of Famelnductee w/PeterFonda; Iron Butt World Record HB Record 11 days, 11,233
miles; Natl. Chiefs of Police and Amer. Fed. of Police Assns. NationalAward 1998; Wis. Grocers Assn. Friendof Grocers
1999-2000, 1997-98; NRA Defender of Freedom Award by Charleton Heston 1998; Cable I I PACTV Impact
Award-Best Series by an Individual 1997; Wis. Counties Assn. Outstanding Legislator 1995-96; Wis. Farm Bureau
Friend of Agriculture 1995-96, 1993-94, 1991-92; NFlB Guardian of Small Business 1995-96, 1991-92: USMC
League Recruiter of the Year 1995; Leader-Telegram Readers' Choice Award: Most Popular Public Official 1995; and
Distinguished Achievement Award 1993; Hmong Stout Student Assn. Outstanding Good Friend 1993-94; Wis. Vietnam
Veterans kteran of the Year 1992: VEC Damn Fine Legislator 1992.
On June 21, 2011, Zien and two Tea Party members were accused of harassing and assaulting members of the Solidarity Sing Along group in the Wisconsin State Capitol. Zien allegedly ran over group members' toes and belongings with his wheelchair. Zien was never charged with any crime, and the allegations that he ran over protesters belongings on purpose were not substantiated by videotape of the incident.
Dave Zien logged more than 2 million miles riding motorcycles before being critically injured in a violent highway crash in Florida. Even though the 61-year-old former state representative and senator lost part of his left leg - and almost his life - in the March crash, he has returned to the open road, this time on a three-wheeled Harley-Davidson.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician. He is a former member of the Wisconsin State Senate
Wisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
, who represented Wisconsin's 23rd Senate district. He is a member of the Republican Party of Wisconsin
Republican Party of Wisconsin
The Republican Party of Wisconsin is the Wisconsin affiliate of the United States Republican Party . The state party chair is Brad Courtney...
.
Zien was born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Chippewa Falls is a city located on the Chippewa River in Chippewa County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 13,661 at the 2010 census. Incorporated as a city in 1869, it is the county seat of Chippewa County....
and attended Cadott High School. He has a B.S. from University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and an M.S. from University of Wisconsin–Stout. Zien simultaneously attended both UW-Eau Claire, and UW-Stout, earning his bachelor's and Master's degrees in record time. Zien served in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
from 1968 to 1970, and is a Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
veteran. Prior to holding elective office, Zien was a campus administrator at Northcentral Technical College; employment, veteran's and welfare counselor; roofer, bouncer, farmhand, and longshoreman. In 1991, Zien participated in a one-armed push-up contest and did 7,127 one-armed pushups in 3.5 hours. Clark Hughes, Chuck Lee, and Scott Schultz were witnesses to this event.
Zien was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
in 1988 and to the Wisconsin Senate in 1993 in a special election. He became the President Pro Tempore in 2005. He was defeated in his Fall 2006 re-election campaign by Democrat Pat Kreitlow
Pat Kreitlow
Patrick J. "Pat" Kreitlow is an American politician. A Democrat, Kreitlow was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate that representing Wisconsin's 23rd Senate district from 2007 to 2011. In November 2008, Senator Kreitlow was elected President pro tempore of the Wisconsin State Senate by the...
.
Zien is well known around Wisconsin for driving around his district on a motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
with full-size American and Wisconsin flags. He was inducted in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
in 2000. On March 13, 2011, Zien was seriously injured while traveling in Florida on his motorcycle.
During his time in office, Zien was the recipient of many awards, including the following: Legislator of the Year: Wis. Fire Chiefs Assn.2000, Wis. Bowhunters Assn. 2000, Wis. Builders Assn. 1998, Wis. DAV 1996, WACVO 1996and 1993, Milw. Police
Assn. 1995, VVA 1994, American Legion 1993, VFW 1990, ABATE 1990; Wis. AllianceforFire Safety Outstanding
Legislator 2000; Natl. MC Hall of Famelnductee w/PeterFonda; Iron Butt World Record HB Record 11 days, 11,233
miles; Natl. Chiefs of Police and Amer. Fed. of Police Assns. NationalAward 1998; Wis. Grocers Assn. Friendof Grocers
1999-2000, 1997-98; NRA Defender of Freedom Award by Charleton Heston 1998; Cable I I PACTV Impact
Award-Best Series by an Individual 1997; Wis. Counties Assn. Outstanding Legislator 1995-96; Wis. Farm Bureau
Friend of Agriculture 1995-96, 1993-94, 1991-92; NFlB Guardian of Small Business 1995-96, 1991-92: USMC
League Recruiter of the Year 1995; Leader-Telegram Readers' Choice Award: Most Popular Public Official 1995; and
Distinguished Achievement Award 1993; Hmong Stout Student Assn. Outstanding Good Friend 1993-94; Wis. Vietnam
Veterans kteran of the Year 1992: VEC Damn Fine Legislator 1992.
On June 21, 2011, Zien and two Tea Party members were accused of harassing and assaulting members of the Solidarity Sing Along group in the Wisconsin State Capitol. Zien allegedly ran over group members' toes and belongings with his wheelchair. Zien was never charged with any crime, and the allegations that he ran over protesters belongings on purpose were not substantiated by videotape of the incident.
Dave Zien logged more than 2 million miles riding motorcycles before being critically injured in a violent highway crash in Florida. Even though the 61-year-old former state representative and senator lost part of his left leg - and almost his life - in the March crash, he has returned to the open road, this time on a three-wheeled Harley-Davidson.