When you are a holder of public office, you’re always a target for public scrutiny. That has certainly been the case for retiring Michigan Congressman Fred Upton from St. Joseph. He’s heard the good, the bad and the ugly about seemingly every piece of legislation he’s ever introduced, argued for or against, debated across the dinner table, across the nation, or across the aisle. He’s been confronted, questioned, applauded, reviled, vilified, cajoled, revered and even threatened with physical harm over the course of his 36-years representing the people of Michigan’s Great Southwest. Now, he has earned the right to take a moment to reflect on it all and weigh the options ahead of whatever comes next for him and his family.
While many citizens of the world will undertake the traditional countdown to the New Year, Fred Upton has been counting down the days to the end of this phase of his career in the public spotlight, while packing away mementos, memorabilia and a vast array of trophies representing accolades received over the past 36 years since taking up his life in politics as our Congressman.
I’ve reached out to a large contingent of folks ranging from across the region, the state and in the nation’s capitol to help tell the Fred Upton story from each of their unique perspectives. I think the prevailing take away is well summed up in the words of Cornerstone Alliance President & CEO Rob Cleveland who says, “I know for certain that history will look back kindly on Fred and his public service.”
Candice Miller, Former U.S. Congresswoman from Michigan and now Macomb County Public Works Commissioner, was one of Fred’s closest allies in the state’s congressional delegation. She helped lead the way for those sharing thoughts regarding Fred’s public service. She tells me, “Fred Upton has been one of the most impactful members of Congress during his time in office. His ability to relentlessly work in a bi-partisan effort to achieve important legislation is a skill and a temperament that will be sorely missed by the Congress and the country.” Candice also shared a video prepared by the State Society of Michigan, with comments from others in the state’s federal delegation, and you can watch that video at this link:
Pat Butler, longtime President & CEO of America’s Public Television Stations has known Fred since before he joined the Congress. Here’s what he tells me about Fred:
“I’ve known Fred ‘Call me Fred’ Upton since his days as an assistant to David Stockman in Congress and at OMB, and mine with Senator Howard Baker.
Having watched him ‘up close and personal’ for more than 40 years, as he climbed the ladder of political prominence and power, I’ve always been struck by Fred’s down-to-earth approach to public life — and life itself.
It’s a commonplace in Washington that the better you know a powerful person, the less likely you are to truly admire him. The opposite is true of Fred. The better one is privileged to know him, the more one truly admires and appreciates him, for his political and legislative skills, his patriotism and courage, and the personal qualities that have made him one of the most beloved people ever to walk the halls of Congress.
Fred leaves behind a rich legacy of achievement and a devoted legion of fans on both sides of the partisan aisle and both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.
We will be much the poorer for his absence in the House, but he has set a standard of public service to which, as General Washington said, ‘the wise and honest can repair.’ Godspeed Fred Upton, and thank you for doing so much for so many for so long. With great respect, Pat.”
Rob Cleveland, President & CEO of Cornerstone Alliance in Benton Harbor, says, “It is really difficult to put into words what Fred has accomplished, and what kind of impact those accomplishments have had on our community. It is difficult because of the sheer volume of things Fred led, or collaborated on.
What I know for certain is that history will look back kindly on Fred and his public service. Fred was never driven by his own personal agenda. His focus was on doing what was best for the residents of Southwest Michigan, followed by what was best for our nation. We may never again have a member of Congress represent us for such a length of time, who makes such a significant impact on our community.”
Jeff Noel, who serves now as Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, is a former President of Cornerstone Alliance and longtime Senior Exec at Whirlpool Corporation. Jeff tells us, “What began 28 years ago was a call from a well-known member of the U.S. House of Representatives introducing himself and not just offering his assistance, but proving himself to be the most accessible and engaging elected official I have ever known.
By the end of my tenure in Michigan’s Great Southwest, I had a fantastic friend and mentor who was part of every endeavor in the community I worked on, from the Hope VI development, Harbor Shores, the 4 new factories constructed in Benton Harbor, you name it, Fred had the experience and respect of his colleagues and all agency leaders regardless of party in our Nation’s Capital to get things done. A humble guy who accomplished so much at all levels.”
Arthur Havlicek is President & CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. Arthur says, “Congressman Upton dedicated his life to serving Southwest Michigan and will go down in history as one of the most consistent champions of sound public-policy, practical problem-solving, and genuine bipartisanship to ever serve in the United States Congress. On behalf of the Chamber and its members, we thank Congressman Fred Upton for his remarkable thirty-six years of service as our U.S. Representative and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement. We thank his staff, both past and present, for setting the gold standard of representation and constituent service in our region. Last, but certainly not least, we thank Congressman Upton’s wife, Amey, his children, and his grandchildren for sharing their beloved ‘Fred’ with us for over four decades. We wish them all health, happiness, and longevity as they enter this new chapter of life, together.”
Debbie Dingell is a Democratic U.S. Congresswoman from Southeast Michigan. She and Fred have been incredible allies for years, and she is among the saddest to see him go, telling me, “I am losing my best friend in the congress, Michigan is losing one of its most effective advocates, and the country is losing one of the most decent human beings to serve in the Congress. Fred Upton always put people first. Period. Bipartisan and compromise were not dirty words to him. He knew the country was stronger for such action. Fred knew and worked with John (her husband John Dingell) and I, that if we were going to deliver real solutions for the American people, we need to come together, listen to all perspectives, no matter how complicated or emotional the issue might be. And because of his approach he was able to get so much done in the Congress.
He made many contributions, the one he is probably the proudest of is 21st Century Cures which has done so much for health care and medical research. We worked together on PFAS, autos, the Great Lakes, hospitals, energy, drinking water and a whole lot more.
We didn’t always agree, but we never disagreed with vitriolic language or any mean-spiritedness. In fact, Fred always found a way to make me laugh and it his civility in the Congress I will miss the most.
I still cannot believe he is leaving but wherever he is, he will remain a good friend whose advice I will continue to seek and listen to and take to heart.”
Others on Capitol Hill in Washington share Debbie Dingell’s thoughts, as captured in an article by author and columnist A.B. Stoddard at Real Clear Politics. She has granted us permission to share her piece in the current issue, and you can read that by clicking the link below:
Meanwhile, back at home in Michigan, the response to Fred’s retirement is equally respectful among those he worked closest with.
Marcus Muhammad, Mayor of the City of Benton Harbor says, “Congressman Fred Upton is the last of a dying political breed. The Bi-Partisan champion for Southwest Michigan after 36 years of dedication is leaving office free of scandal, corruption or disgrace. His role in the lead service line removal and replacement project was monumental. When the City of Benton Harbor was struggling to address the lead service issue and had no money, he brought us a check from the Environmental Protection Agency for $5.6 million to start the project.
As Mayor of the City of Benton Harbor on behalf of the residents of Benton Harbor, I salute Congressman Fred Upton. He will forever be our 6th District representative. His tireless efforts of building bridges and relationships, regardless to whom or what, will forever be in the hearts of the people. With his vote to put country above party and politics in the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump. I believe history will vindicate his decision. The historical record will always recognize the Congressman of the 6th District from Benton Harbor, Michigan.”
I asked former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder for his thoughts about Fred. He says, “I admired Fred prior to my time as Governor. My roots are in West Michigan, and I viewed him as a great role model for public service. He showed me how an elected official could effectively serve the citizens of his district in a positive and very effective way.
When I ran for Governor and then served, I viewed Fred as a benchmark of civility, humility and positive results. I really enjoyed the opportunity to work on projects with Fred. On my many trips to his district, I always enjoyed talking with citizens and hearing their positive perspective on how they viewed Fred’s service.
Also, Fred’s work with Debbie Dingell is a great example to all of America about how people from different parties and different perspectives can work together and achieve results.
Fred has had an outstanding career as a Representative. He served his district, his state and his nation with passion, dignity and civility. He achieved legislative results and constituent service outcomes that improved countless lives. I will miss having him in office; but I wish him the best in the next chapter of his life and thank him for his incredible service.”
Former State Representative and Michigan State Budget Director Al Pscholka, who also served Cornerstone Alliance and the Kinexus Group is now with Lake Michigan College. He also served Fred Upton at the district level in St. Joseph, and remembers his time there very well, telling me, “A couple of things to note about Fred’s service in my time in his office. I was in Washington DC and a staffer of another Member of Congress asked – ‘How often do you hear from your boss?’ My reply was ‘Every day.’ Fred was constantly connected to his district. He would check in with district offices every day and he was home on weekends. He not only read the news clippings we sent in every day, he would pick up the phone to find out what was going on in Southwest Michigan and if he needed to help us back in the district. He realized that when people contacted the congressional office, it was probably not the best day of their lives – usually they were at their wits end about a very serious problem, and it was up to the congressional staff to listen, identify the problem, and find a solution.
In 2009 I was contacted on Super Bowl weekend by Dr. James Wierman and Dr. Fred Matthews who were trying to get 9 badly burned and injured children out of Haiti. While international issues were not my specialty, I found someone snowed in at the State Department in Washington DC to help. Fred talked me through some of the international protocols and let me handle the case. It took three days of negotiations, calls to Senate offices on the East Coast, engaging the Governor’s office in Massachusetts, (the kids were going to Shriners Hospital in Boston), writing frantic letters and e-mails, but in the end we prevailed. Lives were saved because of the culture created by Fred Upton and his reputation in Washington. And it is probably one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. When I was elected to the State House, it was that dedication to constituent service and staying connected to my district — the gold standard of Fred Upton — that I took with me to Lansing.”
Pscholka’s colleague, former State Senator John Proos, also served Fred in the district office, and did so with great pride. He shared his thoughts with me, as well, saying, “I had the honor of serving as Fred’s District Director and Deputy Chief of staff in the 1990’s and early 2000’s and during this tenure I was able to learn what it meant to listen, to learn and to respond to the constituents of Southwest Michigan that placed their trust in him. Fred was, and continues to be, the gold-standard for constituent service and tens of thousands were served with honesty and integrity. Among his many legislative accomplishments it is hard not to look to the CURES Act as his most important. Without this bipartisan legislation, the vaccines for COVID19 would not have been available in such a short time frame and many tens of thousands more may have died from the global pandemic.
And from the many quotes that define the man, his standard parade chant was, ‘Hey Hey, it’s good to be home!’ And finally Pat, I am grateful to have had nearly a decade of time in service with Fred to learn how to listen to those that you serve and even more importantly to respond with honor and integrity even when there were disagreements about legislative issues.”
Bob Harrison is retired President of Lake Michigan College and currently serves as a Berrien County Commissioner. He says he first met Fred when he was running for Congress. He recalls, “I was working at Pawating Hospital in Niles and as a large employer, candidates for elected office would come to visit. My first impression was that the Republicans must have been pretty desperate to recruit someone right out of college, but after I did some checking, my impression of Fred improved greatly. I found that we had a number of mutual acquaintances, and everyone had a very favorable opinion of him. His opponent also stopped by to visit, but I did not come away with a good impression. Part of the campaign being used against Fred focused on calling him ‘The Devil.’ I found that strategy to be laughable. How could anyone in their right mind call Fred ‘The Devil.’ That sealed the deal for me as to which candidate to support. I have never regretted my decision to support Fred.”
Innovative industrialist Rick Blake from Edgewater Automation in St. Joseph says, “I remember when we started Edgewater Automation in the Edgewater district of St. Joe, and how Fred came to visit us and supported us as we kicked off our company. Then fast forward 20 years and he spoke at our 20-year anniversary celebration. Fred always supported us and for that I will always be grateful.”
Bill Marohn, a retired Whirlpool Corporation executive, tells us, “Fred was an honest and hard-working representative. He enjoyed his job. He is a respected patriot. I was proud to have him represent me, even though I did not agree with every vote he cast. I wish him health and happiness in his retirement and hopefully he will return to St. Joseph often.”
Local government leaders also respected their Congressman. Izzy DiMaggio, Township Supervisor for Hagar Township says, “The first things that come to mind when asked about Fred Upton – honest, thoughtful, humble, decent, approachable and very sensitive, more about that later.
It is always Fred, not Mr. Upton or Congressman Upton. That showed how humble he is. Always approachable and accommodating.
I joined the County Republican Party in 1974, when I was first elected Township Treasurer, and Fred was always a big supporter of our local Berrien County Republican Party. Anytime we needed anything, especially when it came to securing a keynote speaker for one of our Berrien Republican Lincoln Dinners or Fall Receptions, Fred always came thru. Whether it be Senators, Governors, or other key administration officials. The pinnacle of Fred’s success to our Party, was when he secured Vice President George Bush for a Lincoln Day Dinner. Fred was always available at the last minute to step in and keynote a County Convention or other important GOP function.
In his 35 plus years in Congress, never a hint of a scandal or questionable fund-raising efforts. On the occasions when a delegation of the Michigan Township Association officials would attend a convention in Washington DC, Fred was always gracious to meet with us and spend as much time with us as needed.
Fred was able to work with both sides of the aisle for the good of the country and specifically the citizens from his district. You always knew where he stood, fiscally conservative and socially moderate. He voted his conscience and what he firmly believed was to cast a vote in the best interest of our district. On certain votes, he could have taken the easy way out and voted to please a certain group, but that was not Fred’s style.
Fred supported many important causes in our community, several of which he never sought recognition for. One such special cause recently was supporting the Miracle League of Southwestern Michigan, a program designed for special needs kids. Each special needs child was assigned a buddy to play softball on a specially designed field to accommodate all types of special needs.
We attended many County and State GOP Conventions together, but never will I forget a State Republican Convention, I believe in the early 1990’s, in Grand Rapids, when Fred was booed by a group of radical far-right-wingers. After a break, outside the convention hall in Grand Rapids, a few of us sought out Fred and found him in tears. He took it very personal. Others would have just shrugged it off, but that is how serious and personal Fred took his job.
I wish only the best in whatever Fred chooses to do in this next phase of an incredible career. I will always consider him a friend. Well done, Fred…your friend, Izzy.”
Likewise, Roger Seely from St. Joseph Township and his business Roger’s Foodland reflects with fondness on Fred’s service, reporting, “When we went to Washington DC about 30 years ago, we visited Fred in his office, and he took us to the House floor. We sat up in the gallery, but my daughter Rachel was young enough to go with him onto the House floor. He introduced her to some representatives and showed her how they voted. Perhaps that’s how she got her interest in government.”
There were also the playful times, as recalled by Dr. Rick Pappas, President of Davenport University in Grand Rapids, and a former President of Lake Michigan College, who says, “I remember Fred and I singing at LMC’s Winners Circle Scholarship Benefit Auction event one year. People said they would donate to the College’s fundraising efforts if we sang for them. We decided on “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” I have a picture of it somewhere.”
From boaters who appreciated Fred Upton’s never-ending drive to dredge the local harbor keeping access open to both freighters and recreational watercraft, to golfers who may not realize what a key role he played with Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm in clearing the myriad hurdles to the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Club at Harbor Shores and the entire resort complex, his fingerprints and support or seemingly around ever corner of the region.
Herald-Palladium Writer Juliana Knot offered up a superb recap of Fred’s body of work in a piece published on December 3rd, where he took time out to salute his district staff — singling out Janet Zielke, Mike Ryan and Corey Hansen — for their work, telling Knot, “It’s been a good run, a good journey, really good people behind us,” and adding, “I’ve been blessed with a really good staff who are just as passionate about stuff as I am.”
That’s the passion that everyone who shared has put at the top of the list and will long remember him for. The palpable passion that has been a hallmark of Fred Upton…the man, the public servant, the leader…who will undoubtedly find a new way to serve his community, his state and his nation, because that’s all he’s known for his entire adult life…and it’s inevitably in his DNA.
(A note of thanks to the many people I reached out to for this story, especially Liz Boyd who served as Communications Director and Press Secretary to former Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.)
