FALK NAMES RECIPIENT OF DANE COUNTY’S DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. RECOGNITION AWARD

January 12, 2004
Ken Haynes, (608) 266-3197 Sharyn Wisniewski (608 267-8823
County Executive

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk today announced that Jonathan J. Brisco, Madison, is the recipient of the 2004 Dane County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recognition Award for leadership in Dane County and for exemplifying the legacy of Dr. King. County Executive Falk will present the award at the 19th Annual City-County Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance on Monday, January 19, at the Madison Civic Center (Oscar Mayer Theater). The program begins at 6:00 p.m. “I am very happy to announce that Jonathan J. Brisco was selected to receive the 2004 Dane County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recognition Award. He is a quiet and courageous individual who inspires by example,” said Falk. Jonathan J. Brisco is called Coach Brisco by many because he uses sports as a way to teach young people the important values of hard work, discipline, respect and perseverance. He coached Madison’s Southside Raider football team for many years and served as a positive role model for countless young people. Brisco recognizes the value of education and organized regular study times for his players to make sure that they took full advantage of the opportunity to learn. He routinely visited his team members at their schools and in their homes to provide extra support and encouragement and to constantly remind them that he cared about much more than their physical accomplishments – he was interested in their intellectual and spiritual development as well. Brisco also coached football at East, Memorial and Edgewood High Schools. Brisco has confronted personal challenges that might have caused ordinary individuals to withdraw from community involvement. He took these difficulties as opportunities to show the young people in his life that no obstacle is impossible to overcome. For example, Brisco is a 12-year survivor of colon cancer. He continued his commitments to his community while fighting the disease and often proclaimed, “If cancer is going to conquer me, it will not conquer me easily.” Brisco has worked at American T.V. for 25 years and once received an award for not missing one single day of work in 12 years. He worked his way up from a driver to a highly skilled service technician. Coach Brisco also owns and manages two apartment buildings that he named after his children. Through ownership of these apartments, Jonathan is able to realize the dream of having a business of his own that he can pass on to his children. The rental units also provide another way for him to give back to the community by helping renters who often need a second or third chance for housing. Jonathan has a special interest in working with individuals who have been evicted from their places of residence in the past. Falk quoted one of Jonathan’s nominators who said, ‘Whether your connection to Mr. Brisco is personal or professional, one thing is apparent – he pours his heart and soul into everything and everyone he touches. It is my opinion that Jonathan Brisco would be a wonderful candidate for the Dane County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recognition Award.’ “I heartily agree,” said Falk. # # #