U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Guest for Pope Francis’ Address to Joint Meeting of Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today announced that Reverend Willie Brisco will be her guest for Pope Francis’ address to a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday, September 24.

Reverend Brisco is President of the Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH) and Co-Vice President of WISDOM.

“Reverend Brisco is a Wisconsin faith leader who is working every day in communities that face tough struggles and challenges. Pope Francis has provided moral leadership on the issue of economic inequality and fairness and Reverend Brisco is a shining example of the important role Wisconsin’s faith community plays in providing a helping hand to lift others up and advance our common good,” said Senator Baldwin.

“It is truly an honor and a privilege to be given the opportunity to attend this historic event and to hear a speech from an innovative Religious leader who has gained the attention of the world with his open and transparent approach on many sensitive topics. I am eternally grateful to Senator Tammy Baldwin for the invite, and also to MICAH, Wisdom, and the Gamaliel foundation for affording me the ability to attend,” said Reverend Brisco.

Founded in 1988, MICAH is a multi-racial, interfaith organization committed to addressing social justice issues that have an impact on the community and on the members of MICAH’s 40 congregations. WISDOM is a grassroots organization comprising 160 member congregations of almost 20 different religious backgrounds.

Since June 2009, Reverend Brisco has been an Associate Minister of the New Covenant Baptist Church. He was called to the ministry in 2008 after a 25-year distinguished career in law enforcement and corrections. In 2009, he retired as the Deputy Superintendent of the Milwaukee County House of Correction. 

Reverend Brisco is a graduate of Milwaukee’s North Division High School and he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Milwaukee Area Technical College. Reverend Brisco has been married to his wife, Sandra, for 24 years and is a proud father and grandfather.