Steil Honors the Service and Legacy of Col. Hans Christian Heg in the Town of Norway

WIND LAKE, WISCONSIN—Today, Bryan Steil honored the life of Colonel Hans Christian Heg and celebrated Heg's contributions to end slavery and fight injustice. Steil visited the statue of Heg and met with local officials in the Town of Norway to learn more about this American hero.

"Colonel Heg had deep roots in Southeast Wisconsin. The pride and respect for Col. Heg is evident throughout the Town of Norway and greater area. Col. Heg was an abolitionist, an immigrant, and military leader who died fighting to end slavery. While Col. Heg may have been Norwegian by birth, we are proud to claim him as one of our own. Ignorance is dangerous and we will not allow future generations of Wisconsinites to forget the sacrifice and service of Col. Heg. Thank you to Town Chair Jean Jacobson and our local officials for their work to preserve his legacy," said Steil.

"The Town of Norway is proud to be Col. Heg's home town. His statue, across from our Town Hall in Col. Heg Park, reminds us daily of his community service and his honorable service to our nation to end slavery. It is very appropriate for Congressman Steil to take the time to honor Col Heg, by naming the Muskego Post Office in his honor and bring to light his many accomplishments," said Jean Jacobson, Chair, Town of Norway.

On background:

Steil introduced a bill to name the Muskego Post Office in honor of Col. Hans Christian Heg after criminals destroyed Heg's statue outside of the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison. Wisconsin Congressmen Jim Sensenbrenner, Glenn Grothman, Mike Gallagher, and Tom Tiffany are cosponsors of the bill. Steil chose the Muskego post office because of Heg's roots in the area.

Col. Heg was a Norwegian immigrant who spent his childhood in Muskego, Wisconsin. The Heg family immigrated to America and settled on the shores of Lake Muskego. Heg led his community and state as an anti-slavery activist. A staunch abolitionist throughout his entire life, Heg also led an anti-slave catching militia in effort to protect escaped slaves.

In 1861, Heg was appointed Colonel of the 15th Wisconsin Infantry, a Scandinavian regiment. The 15th was recruited to fight for the Union against the Confederacy. The regiment shipped out from Camp Randall to the South in 1862. Heg and the 15th quickly gained attention for their bravery on the battlefield.

In 1863, Heg was mortally wounded in Chickamauga, Georgia leading a charge against the Confederate lines. After his death, the Wisconsin State Journal reported that "The State has sent no braver soldier, and no truer patriot to aid in this mighty struggle for national unity, than Hans Christian Heg." Col. Heg was the highest-ranked Wisconsin officer killed in combat during the Civil War.