[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 205 (Friday, December 4, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING STATE SENATOR TOM CASPERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 4, 2020

  Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, yesterday, my colleagues, Representatives 
Jack Bergman and Tom Tiffany, paid tribute on the House floor to former 
state senator and servant leader for Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Mr. 
Tom Casperson. Today, I rise to do the same. On November 29, Tom lost 
his battle with cancer, but throughout his life, he embodied many of 
the traits that our great state--and particularly our Upper Peninsula--
is known for: hard work, fierce independence, and an undying devotion 
to the people of his community.
  Born in Escanaba, Tom worked for his family's log trucking business 
for more than three decades, rising through the ranks from trucker to 
owner. He could have continued at the helm of his family's successful 
company. However, after a fatal accident involving a log-truck-industry 
colleague took the life of a young woman and her baby, Tom resolved to 
help implement safety measures for the industry so the tragedy would 
never repeat itself. When he realized that his best chance at making a 
difference was through the political process, he decided to run for 
office.
  In 2002, Tom was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. 
Just eight months after being sworn in, Tom made good on his first 
legislative priority when he passed legislation to require new safety 
measures in the log-trucking industry. This first public act he 
authored was followed by an incredible 117 additional bills passed into 
law during the 14 years that Tom served the Upper Peninsula--six years 
as the State Representative and eight years as State Senator.
  Tom was a tenacious advocate for the Upper Peninsula and, in the days 
since his passing, tributes to his life have poured in from public 
officials on both sides of the aisle and across Michigan. On Wednesday, 
Governor Whitmer lowered our state's flags on the day of his funeral in 
his honor. In so many statements remembering his life, what shines 
through is his passion for doing the people's work and setting an 
example for future generations of public servants.
  Tom's passing is felt particularly by my team because his son-in-law, 
Chan, is a Wounded Warrior Fellow in my office. Chan and his wife, 
Ashley, have shared with us what a wonderful and loving grandfather Tom 
was to their three children, especially how meaningful it was when Tom 
traveled the world to visit his grandchildren while Chan was stationed 
abroad with the U.S. Navy. I know that they will deeply miss their 
lengthy and substantive political conversations that were always civil 
and informative.
  At a time when consensus seems elusive, Tom was an example of what we 
can accomplish when we work together and find common ground. Today, I'm 
thinking of Tom's wife, Diane, of Chan and Ashley, Ashley's three 
siblings, and Tom's grandchildren. I hope it serves as a comfort for 
them to know that he left a profound mark on those who knew him, loved 
him, and served with him.

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