By Staff
U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, has been representing Cass and Berrien counties for 20 years since upsetting Mark Siljander in his first try at public office at any level in 1986.
Upton is a breath of fresh air in polarized Washington because he recognizes the value of bipartisanship and collegiality.
Congress needs more moderate voices like Upton's, not fewer.
Upton keeps company at the highest levels of the federal government, but he never forgets where he comes from.
He returns frequently to his district and is accessible to constituents.
A recent example of his constituent service benefited Berrien County Intermediate School District in Berrien Springs to the tune of $300,000.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had denied an application by the BCISD, which is the hub of Internet service for 14 school districts and had counted on the funding for eight years.
Upton waded in, urging FCC Chairman Kevin Martin on Sept. 21 to reconsider the initial decision.
The FCC responded favorably to his appeal and reversed the decision, so the BCISD will continue to receive discounts on computer and telecommunications equipment through the federal E-rate program.
"Our schools in southwest Michigan face ever-tightening budgets and our students and faculty were relying on this important discount for Internet services," Upton said. "It could have been a budget buster for the ISD. It is imperative that our schools have the proper updated technology for them to be competitive with the rest of the world."
Upton is a conscientious public servant. In Three Oaks businessman Kim Clark he faces a credible Democratic rival, which has been infrequent in a district the GOP has controlled since 1932.
Clark, however, hasn't made a case for firing Upton.
We endorse Congressman Upton's re-election.