FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 18, 2008
CONTACT: Stupak for Congress, 906-863-2800

STUPAK ANNOUNCES RE-ELECTION BID
MENOMINEE – From his campaign headquarters in Menominee, U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak announced today that he will seek re-election to a ninth term in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Stupak said he remains committed to standing up for northern Michigan, and working to guide and affect the change necessary to move America forward.

"My commitment is just as strong today as it was the day I was sworn into office. I will continue to listen to the concerns of residents of the First District and serve them in a spirit of cooperation and bipartisanship," Stupak said.  "As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, I am providing leadership for a change in Washington and corporate America.  I am fighting to protect Americans from contaminated food and unsafe drugs, investigating gas price gouging by Big Oil, and continuing my career-long fight to protect our Great Lakes."

In the next term of Congress, Stupak looks forward to working with a new President to repair the weakening economy, provide health care coverage for all Americans and end the war in Iraq.  As a former Michigan State Police Trooper, Stupak has applied a thoughtful and fair approach to issues since his first days in Congress.

"I did not vote for the war in Iraq, but I have fully supported our troops and veterans.  I have passed legislation to ensure our troops in the field and veterans right here at home are shown the respect they deserve," Stupak said.

In addition to supporting the largest-ever funding increase for the Veteran's Administration, Stupak authored the Joseph Micks flag law requiring federal facilities to lower their flags to half staff in honor of our fallen heroes.  He led the charge to allow troops to utilize their education benefits even upon discharge from the Armed Forces and authored the "Fallen Service Member Respectful Return Amendment" requiring the military to transport the remains of our fallen heroes to the airport nearest to their family.  He also championed legislation to ensure wounded soldiers receive the bonuses they were promised and tripled the mileage reimbursement for disabled veterans.

Stupak has been and will continue to be a defender of Social Security and programs that serve and protect our seniors.  He was one of the first to insist that seniors and veterans be included in the economic stimulus tax rebates recently passed by Congress and signed by the President.

Stupak is one of the strongest advocates for rural America in Congress, having worked to level the playing field between big cities and small towns in telecommunications, health care, alternative energy, infrastructure and law enforcement funding.

Recognizing the importance of one of northern Michigan's most vital industries, Stupak wrote legislation to allow timber fiber to be used in ethanol production, worked to increase PILT funding and advocated for the development of recreational trails.

Stupak believes an education is something every family should be able to afford.  "Last year we pushed through one of the largest increases of Pell Grant funding and lowered interest rates on student loans to help make a college education more affordable," he said.

While Stupak is proud of his many legislative accomplishments, he is most proud of his strong commitment to constituent services.  He returns to northern Michigan on weekends, holding town hall meetings and taking constituent concerns, ideas and solutions back to Washington.  He holds an average of 15 town hall meetings across the sprawling First District every year, or one nearly every three weeks.  Since taking office, he has responded to more than half a million letters and emails from constituents.

Whether it is assisting with your Social Security or veterans claims, helping you obtain a passport or ordering a flag flown over the Capitol, I stand ready to assist you each and every day," Stupak said proudly.  "Making sure the federal government is working for you, the people of northern Michigan, is the most important part of my job.  You are always first and foremost on my mind and, with your support, I will be honored to continue providing leadership you can trust for Michigan's First Congressional District."

Click here to download a letter from Bart