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Vice President Mike Pence waves as he arrives at the 128th Air Refueling Wing near Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on Air Force Two before President Donald Trump was to hold a campaign rally at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee Jan. 14, 2019. Pence was expected to attend the rally with the president.(Photo: Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

MADISON - Vice President Mike Pence will speak to hundreds of students inside the Wisconsin State Capitol Tuesdayin what may be the first statehouse visit by a sitting vice president.

Pence will deliver a speech in the rotunda of the Capitol to as many as 700 Wisconsin studentswho attendprivate voucher and charter schools a rally meant to promote alternatives to traditional public schools that Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said Monday he won't attend.

Pence's potentially unprecedented visit underscores the role Wisconsin will play in President Donald Trump's re-election bid and puts an issue in focus that has divided the Capitol for years.

Wisconsin is home to the nation's first private school voucher program launched in Milwaukee 30 years ago and to one of the most aggressive expansions of private school subsidies in recent years.

Republican lawmakers under former Gov. Scott Walker created three new voucher programs in the last decade, providing taxpayer-funded vouchers to 43,450 low- and middle-income students who want to attend private schools, arguing students who lack the financial means to move to a higher-performing school should be able to enroll in them anyway.

More than half of those students attend schools in Milwaukee.

Evers as state schools superintendent oversawthe state's 422 school districts and its private schools for 10 years beginning in 2009, just before GOP lawmakers expanded vouchers statewide.

In that time, Evers argued the state couldnot properlyfundits public schools while also expanding taxpayer-funded private voucher and charter school options without a funding increase for public schools.

RELATED: Evers says VP Mike Pence should be challenged on dairy crisis during his visit to Wisconsin

The debate over vouchers escalatedafter Walker and GOP lawmakers created a statewide program in 2013, and the vast majority of students who ended up receivingtaxpayer-funded subsidies to enroll in private schools were already attending them.

In his first budget, Evers proposed freezing or scaling back enrollment in the four voucher programs until lawmakers found a new way to fund public schools and vouchers for private schools. GOP lawmakers ultimately removed the proposal from the spending plan.

Now, Pence visits the Capitol to promote public school alternatives after expanding vouchers in Indiana when he was governor andas part of the Trump administration, which backs expanding public school alternatives to all students.

It's likely the first time a sitting vice president or president has likely been inside the Capitol building in its more than acentury of existence, according to Legislative Reference Bureau chief Rick Champagne.

Pence is visiting the Democratic stronghold of Madison but is addressing parents and supporters of school vouchers and charter schools an audience more friendly to the president.

Marquette University Law School poll director Charles Franklin said public opinion has generally been divided, but in 2015, a majority opposed eliminating limits on the voucher programs while in 2013 half of voters polled supported expanding the subsidies.

In 2019,polling showed 46% of registered voters polled opposed Evers' budget proposal to freeze enrollment in voucher schools and suspend creation of charter schools while 41% supported the idea. Thirteen percent weren't sure.

Contact Molly Beckat molly.beck@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MollyBeck.

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Mike Pence may be first from White House to visit Wisconsin statehouse - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Earlier today, as The Daily Wire noted, Vice President Mike Pence was in Jerusalem, Israel to attend the World Holocaust Forum. This years Forum is themed around the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazis infamousAuschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

Vice President Mike Pence delivered a stirring speech in Jerusalem before an audience that included world leaders and Holocaust survivors, vowing that never againshall the world allow the atrocities committed by the Nazis to be repeated, Fox News reported. Pence spoke on behalf of the United States, joined by leaders of more than 40 nations, at IsraelsYad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Pence, a devout Christian who previously served as Indiana governor and a U.S. congressman from the Hoosier State, is a longtime friend of the Jewish people and a staunch supporter of the Jewish state of Israel.

To look at Israel is to see that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob keeps his promises, Pence has said at the annual Christians United for Israel national convention. Like all of you, my passion for Israel springs from my Christian faith. The songs of the land and the people of Israel were the anthems of my youth. As for me and my house, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem and all who call her home. Its really the greatest privilege of my life to serve as Vice President to a President who cares so deeply for our most cherished ally.

Because the editors of The Daily Wire believe that the vice presidents remarks are particularly moving and deserve to be widely read, we are reproducing them in full (with hat tip to The Times of Israel):

President Rivlin, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Your Majesties, Presidents, Excellencies, honored survivors and distinguished guests: It is deeply humbling for me to stand before you today, on behalf of the American people, as we mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

On this occasion, here on Mount Herzl, we gather to fulfill a solemn obligation an obligation of remembrance: to never allow the memory of those who died in the Holocaust to be forgotten by anyone, anywhere in the world.

The word remember appears no fewer than 169 times in the Hebrew Bible for memory is the constant obligation of all generations.

And today we pause to remember what President Donald Trump rightly called the dark stain on human history the greatest evil ever perpetuated by man against man in the long catalogue of human crime.

The faces of a million and a half children reduced to smoke under a silent sky for the crime of having a single Jewish grandparent. The night Elie Wiesel called seven times sealed consumed the faith of so many then, and challenges the faith of so many still.

Today we remember what happens when the powerless cry for help and the powerful refuse to answer.

The towns name was Owicim. As part of their plan to destroy the very existence of Polish culture, the Nazis gave Polish towns German names. And this one they called Auschwitz.

When soldiers opened the gates of Auschwitz on January 27, 1945, they found 7,000 half-starved, half-naked prisoners, hundreds of boxes of camp records that documented the greatest mass murder in history. Before the war was over, in its five years of existence, more than 1.1 million men, women, and children would perish at Auschwitz.

As my wife and I can attest firsthand, from this past year, one cannot walk the grounds of Auschwitz without being overcome with emotion and grief. One cannot see the piles of shoes, the gas chambers, the crematoriums, the lone boxcar facing the gate to the camp, and those grainy photographs of men, women, and children being sent to their deaths without asking: How could they?

Today we mourn with those who mourn and grieve with those who grieve. We remember the names and the faces and the promise of the six million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust.

Today we also pay tribute to those who survived, who all these years have borne witness to that evil and have served mankind by their example.

And today we honor and remember the memory of all the Allied forces, including more than two million American soldiers, who left hearth and home, suffered appalling casualties, and freed a continent from the grip of tyranny.

And, finally, we pay tribute to the memory of those non-Jewish heroes who saved countless lives those the people of Israel call the righteous among the nations.

In an age of indifference, they acted. In an age of fear, they showed courage. And their memory and their example should kindle anew the flame of our hearts to do the same in our time.

We must be prepared to stand as they did against the wave of their times. We must be prepared to confront and expose the vile tide of anti-Semitism that is fueling hate and violence all across the world. And we must stand together.

In that same spirit, we must also stand strong against the leading state purveyor of anti-Semitism, against the one government in the world that denies the Holocaust as a matter of state policy and threatens to wipe Israel off the map. The world must stand strong against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

And, finally, we must have the courage to recognize all the leaders and all the nations that are gathered here that, today, we have the responsibility and the power to ensure that what we remember here today can never happen again.

Mr. Prime Minister, as we honor and remember the six million Jewish martyrs of the Holocaust, the world can only marvel at the faith and resilience of the Jewish people, who just three years after walking in the valley of the shadow of death, rose up from the ashes to reclaim a Jewish future and rebuild the Jewish State.

And Im proud to say, as Vice President of the United States, that the American people have been with you every step of the way since 1948. And so we will remain.

As President Trump declared in his historic visit to Jerusalem, the bond between our two peoples is woven together in the fabric of our hearts. And so it shall always be.

Today we remember not simply the liberation of Auschwitz but also the triumph of freedom a promise fulfilled, a people restored to their rightful place among the nations of the Earth. And we remember we remember the long night of that past, the survivors and the faces of those we lost, the heroes who stood against those evil times. And today we gather nearly 50 nations strong, here in Jerusalem, to say with one voice: Never again.

Through pogroms, persecutions, and expulsions in the ghettos, and finally, even through the death camps, the Jewish people clung to an ancient promise that He would never leave you or forsake you and that he would leave this people to inherit the land that he swore to your ancestors that he would give them.

And so, today, as we bear witness to the strength and the resilience and the faith of the Jewish people, so too we bear witness to Gods faithfulness to the Jewish people.

May the memory of the martyrs be enshrined in the hearts of all humanity for all time.

May God bless the Jewish people, the State of Israel, the United States, and all the nations gathered here.

And may He who creates peace in the heavens create peace for us and for all the world.

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Mike Pence At World Holocaust Forum: 'We Bear Witness To God's Faithfulness To The Jewish People' - The Daily Wire

Vice President Mike Pence greeted Pope Francis in Rome on Thursday to offer well-wishes from President Trump and exchange gifts.

I wanted to extend the warmest greetings on behalf of President Donald Trump, who so enjoyed his visit here, Mr. Pence told the pontiff in the papal library. And he wanted me to send his regards.

Mr. Trump is scheduled to speak at the March for Life in Washington, an annual protest against abortion, on Friday.

The White House said Mr. Pence and the pope discussed the march, the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and displaced religious minorities in the Middle East.

Mr. Pence, who was raised Catholic, gave the pope a crucifix made of wood from a tree near the vice presidential residence.

Pope Francis handed Mr. Pence some documents its unclear what they were and little gifts, including a small medal that Mr. Pence will give to his mother.

Youve made me a hero, Mr. Pence told the pope.

The vice president is scheduled to meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Premier Giuseppe Conte while in Rome.

Mr. Pence is visiting as part of a two-leg trip that started in Israel. He departed Tel Aviv and touched down early Friday at Romes Ciampino International Airport, where he was greeted by Italian dignitaries; Callista Gingrich, the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See; and her husband, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Mr. Pences motorcade zipped through the gates of Vatican City, where a throng of tourists were gathered and taped the arrival with their cameras. His entourage swept through marbled hallways and staircases lined with artwork and Swiss Guards before reaching the library.

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Mike Pence greets Pope Francis in Rome, exchanges well-wishes on same day as March for Life - Washington Times

In anop-ed last week, A Partisan Impeachment, A Profile in Courage, Vice President Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PenceSchumer urges declassification of letter from Pence aide Majority of voters don't believe new info will be revealed in Senate trial Republican group calls for 'President Pence' amid impeachment trial MORE appealed to Senate Democrats to vote to acquit President TrumpDonald John TrumpSchiff pleads to Senate GOP: 'Right matters. And the truth matters.' Anita Hill to Iowa crowd: 'Statute of limitations' for Biden apology is 'up' Sen. Van Hollen releases documents from GAO investigation MORE of abuse of power and obstruction charges.He based his appeal on the 1868 Senate trial of the impeached President Andrew Johnson, which resulted in an acquittal by the slimmest margin possible, a single senators vote.

Pence has no more of a grip on American history than does Trump, who once claimed that Andrew Jackson, who died in1845, was really angry about the Civil War, which began in 1861.

In Pences telling, President Johnson, the Democratic vice-president who became president when Lincoln was assassinated, was a victim.Pence claims that Johnson only wanted to bring the Southern states back into the fold as soon as possible but fell prey to Republicans in Congress bent on vengeance against the South.So the Republicans hatched a plot sounds like a familiar refrain to remove Johnson by impeaching him.

Spare no pity for Andrew Johnson.He was a rigid dictatorialracist who is regarded byhistoriansas one of the worst presidents in American history.In a historical whitewash, Pence mentions opaquely that Johnson vetoed several pieces of Reconstruction legislation.

In fact Johnson obstinately fought tooth and nail againstlawsintended to provide economic opportunity and legal equality to the newly freed slaves, includingthe Freedmen's Bureau Bill, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Fourteenth Amendment, many of which had to be passed over his veto.According to onehistorian,other than slavery Johnson sought the return of the prewar social and economic system.He rightly shares the blame for nearly a century of legalized racial oppression that ended only with the civil rights movement.Pence displayed especially poortaste in publishing his op-ed just before Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The alleged courageous hero in Pences narrative isSen. Edmund G. Ross (R-Kan.), without whose vote of acquittal Johnson would have been convicted and removed from office.Ross was determined to render a fair judgment, resisting his own party stampede, says Pence, who cites Ross as an example that Senate Democrats should follow.

Ross was no moral paragon.Opportunism had more to do with his vote than political courage.He had been appointed just two years earlier to fill the term of a Kansas senator who had committed suicide.As a temporary placeholder, Ross had no political future unless he could secure ample patronage for his Kansas supporters.With a Democratic president, that prospect was slim.Then along came the Senate trial of Andrew Johnson, who had been impeached for violating a law that forbid him from firing Cabinet officers without congressional approval.

Just hours after Ross cast his historic vote to acquit Johnson, he was spotted by a congressman entering the White House grounds.There goes the rascal to get his pay, the congressman half-jokingly said to a friend.

It was no joke.Three weeks later, Ross sent a letter to President Johnson, marked Private, which reminded the president of their earlier interview on the topic of patronage.The letter described a patronage appointment that would benefit Ross politically.Johnson made that appointment and subsequently granted a number of other presidential favors to Ross.

Historian Charles A. Jellison, who researched the connection between Rosssvoteand Johnsons patronage favors, wrote that, Rosss conduct, viewed from any angle and in any light, appears to have been somewhat less then exemplary . . . [it] is hardly the stuff of which real heroes are made.

Lets hope senators sitting as a court of impeachment look elsewhere for inspiration than Edmund Ross.

Gregory J.Wallancewas a federal prosecutor during the Carter and Reagan administrations. He is the author most recently of The Woman Who Fought An Empire: Sarah Aaronsohn and Her Nili Spy Ring. Follow him on Twitter at @gregorywallance.

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Mike Pence invoked a racist president and a scoundrel senator to defend Trump did he even know it? - The Hill

The 901 is your morning blend of Memphis news and commentary

Good morning from Memphis, and a belated happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Lots has happened since Friday, including word aboutthe closure of Mister B's in Germantown.But before getting to that ...

Director of Interpretation, Collections and Education Noelle Trent leads Vice President Mike Pence on a tour of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis on Sunday.(Photo: Joe Rondone/The Commercial Appeal)

Ahead of his boss's impeachment trial today, Vice President Mike Pence paid homage to a hero of his, Martin Luther King Jr., on Sunday near where he was killed in Memphis.

Our Katherine Burgess, Sam Hardiman and Laura Testino chronicled Pence'strip, which took him to the National Civil Rights Museum's Lorraine Motel where King was shot and killedon April 4, 1968and then to Raleigh's Holy City Church of God in Christ, where the historically black denomination's leaderspraised Pence's faith and values.

The church's warm welcome of Pence drew criticism from some, including our columnist Tonyaa Weathersbee, whosaw its members as being too polite. And while Pence touted the administration's focus on equality of opportunity, others including protesters outside objected to the inequality of outcomes, especially for minorities.

And that's the perfect segue into the Rev. Earle Fisher's latest controversial piece for The New Tri-State Defenderabout how the MLK "Day of Service" isa sham. The many local nonprofits that use the day to promote volunteerism probably disagree. Attacking a day of service is the exact wrong way to go about this, but Fisher makes good points. Among them is the need to move beyond cosmetic fixes and get at structural issues:

Community service only requires a sacrifice of our time. And when you are white, rich or privileged time is usually on your side. Time is not on [ex-convicted offender] Gregs side. In fact, Greg is trying to reconfigure his life to make up for time hes lost.

Of course, volunteerism cannot solve poverty. Or issues with reintegrating ex-offenders back into society. Or a million other structural issues. And no one says it can. AndMemphis is clearly making progress in addressing some of these deep-rooted issues, includingramping up funding for prekindergarten and public transit. But Fisher is exactly rightto call on Memphis to go deeper. Memphis is in dire need of solutions.

But solving these issueswill take both time and money. And more than that, it will take vision the kind of vision that King had, that rallied people around a belief that every person isinherently worthy of protection and investment and respect.

To that end, you should read this subscribers-only story on one of Memphis' deeper problems withhomelessnessfrom our Sarah Macaraeg. Read the story, thenread her follow-up piece aboutsome of the ways you can take action.

Speaking of MLK Day:The University of Memphis will soon take possession of the notes for King's famous "We Shall Overcome" speech, our Laura Testino reports.Also, NBC featured Shelby County School students in its MLK Day coverage. Watch here:

The Germantown institution that is Mister B'srestaurant quietly ended its 44-year run in December, although the owner is looking for a buyer, our Jennifer Chandler reports.

The owner, Theresa Baker-Penninger, cited her health issues as the reason for the closure, but said she wants to see the restaurant to keep operating, like it always has:

On Wednesday, the 100-seat restaurant looked just like it normally does before opening for dinner. Baker-Penninger is hopeful that she will sell the business.

I have several offers on the table, she said. But I am being particular. I want to make sure the person who buys it does not change anything.

What's next forBaker-Penninger? Maybe an art gallery, Jennifer goes on to write.

Want to meet some of the faces behind our bylines? Well, here's your chance:The Commercial Appeal brings its community town hall series to Cordova this Thursday.

Find all of the details here, but here are the basics:

The forum, held in partnership with Hope Church, starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 7:15 p.m. Starting at 5 p.m., a social hour will precede the forum. It will be held in Hope's Big Room (at Entrance 6). Parking is available throughout the church's lot. There is no cost to attend.

The purpose of the meeting is for Commercial Appeal staffers to meet Hope Church members and Cordova residents and discuss community issues.

Hope to see you there!

Last week, our Bob Mehr checked in with Memphian Evvie McKinney, who won the first season of FOX's singing competition show "The Four." The big news? She recently signed with Motowns Gospel label and Capitols CMG publishing company.

We'll fade out today with one of her covers, "God Only Knows," originally by the Christian group King & Country...

Like The Fadeout?The 901's Spotify playlist has all of the available featuredsongs from local artists.

Columnist Ryan Poe writes The 901, a running commentary on all things Memphis. Reachhim at poe@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter @ryanpoe.

Want to support local journalism? ACommercial Appeal subscriptiongives you unlimited access to stories and columns. You also get the ability to tap into news from the USA TODAY Network's 109 local sites across the country.

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The 901: VP Mike Pence stirs controversy with visit to Memphis - Commercial Appeal