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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted July 13, 2004 Press release © 2004 U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Menominee)

Stupak: President Bush should explain failed policies

President George W. Bush is scheduled to speak at a political rally in Northern Michigan University's Superior Dome at 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 13, in Marquette. The NMU Web site reports that the university is not closed during the rally and classes are not cancelled.*

"I hope the President takes the time to meet with the people of northern Michigan to explain his policies --  from the lack of resources for restoration of the Great Lakes and Homeland Security on Michigan's northern border to the concerns and confusion regarding the new Medicare prescription drug law," Stupak said.

Specifically, the President needs to explain:

· Why he repeatedly denies funding for northern Michigan such as funding for the Soo Locks, Northern Michigan University's Olympics education scholarships and Marquette General Hospital's Emergency Preparedness Center. Stupak works every year to fight for this needed funding.

· How the President plans to address the long list of problems and confusion with the Medicare Prescription Drug law and if he will support the importation of cheaper prescription drugs from Canada.

· Why the President created new mandates for northern Michigan school teachers and students through the No Child Left Behind Act but then failed to provide the financial resources needed to meet them.

· How the President will restore the 335,000 Michigan jobs that have been lost since 2001. Many of those jobs have been shipped overseas.

· How the country has gone from record surpluses to a record $521 billion deficit since 2001

"Michiganders pride themselves for their common sense. They don't spend what they don't have," said Stupak. "This Administration needs to tell them why it chose new tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of putting the country's checkbook deep in the red."

Stupak also called on the President to oppose Great Lakes water diversion and drilling and requested that  the Administration provide the needed funding -- not just studies of studies -- to restore this valuable resource.

"What this Administration has provided for Great Lakes restoration has been a drop in the bucket compared to what's needed. This Administration has committed $8 billion to Everglades restoration in Florida, and we need to see that same kind of commitment to the Great Lakes," Stupak said.

And finally, northern Michigan families need to know when they're loved ones serving in the military will be coming home from Iraq and how the President will address the deadly serious issue of the bad intelligence that was used as the basis for going to war, said Stupak. Eight hundred and seventy-six U.S. military men and women have died in Iraq since last year, including four soldiers from Northern Michigan.

Citizens may contact Stupak's Washington office at (202) 225-4735 or email him at stupak@mail.house.gov. His Congressional Aide Amy Wisti may be reached in Houghton from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday, at (906) 482-1371.

For Rep. Stupak's views on current issues, visit his Web site.

Editor's Notes:  You can also call U.S. Senator Carl Levin at 202-224-6221 and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow at 202-224-4822 to leave a message with your views. *For more information on parking for the rally at Northern Michigan University visit their Web site. For an update on the House of Representatives Floor Proceedings, visit the Web site of the Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives.