Joseph C. Czerwinski was born on Milwaukee's south side on February 15, 1944. He attended Milwaukee Boys Technical High School and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Czerwinski served as administrative assistant to the vice-president for business affairs, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, prior to his election in 1969 as Democratic representative from the 27th Assembly District. In the Assembly, Czerwinski swiftly became a leader in the health and health-related fields; he served on the Assembly Committee on Health and Social Services from 1969 until 1981, and was the Committee chairman from 1971. In addition, he was the chairman of the Medical Education Review Committee, and served on numerous other legislative committees. Czerwinski was chosen Freshman Legislator of the Year in 1969, and throughout his term in office was widely sought as a speaker, conference participant, and authority on health and public policy issues. Czerwinski chose not to run for reelection in 1981, and instead accepted a one-year appointment as a consultant to the National Center for Health Services Research of the federal Department of Health and Human Services.
Czerwinski is married to the former Sheila Jennings; their children are Jonah and Meghan.
