[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 183 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1111-E1112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF DR. DANIEL JOSEPH BENISHEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACK BERGMAN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 19, 2021

  Mr. BERGMAN. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the life and 
legacy of Dr. Daniel Joseph Benishek, who passed away recently after a 
lifetime of service to the First District and the state of Michigan. 
Through his dedication to his patients and constituents, Dan changed 
the lives of countless Michiganders and became an indispensable part of 
his community.
  A native Yooper, Dan was born in Iron River, Michigan, on April 20, 
1952, and he spent his childhood in the western Upper Peninsula until 
his graduation from West Iron County High School in 1970. With an 
inherent drive to serve others, Dan furthered his education at the 
University of Michigan and Wayne State University School of Medicine. 
After completing medical school, he returned

[[Page E1112]]

to the U.P. and went on to positively impact many Veterans' lives 
during his two decades of service at the Iron Mountain VA Medical 
Center.
  After years of work on behalf of Yooper Veterans, Dan was driven to 
become an advocate on behalf of all Michiganders when he ran for 
Congress in 2010. As a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, 
he continued his steadfast support of Veterans in his district while 
also working to pass legislation to protect our state's most valuable 
landmarks as a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources--most 
notably the nationally-recognized Sleeping Bear Dunes. I have been and 
continue to be greatly inspired by Dan's selfless work and dedication 
to our Veterans as well as his fellow Yoopers. He served the First 
District of Michigan for three terms from 2011 to 2017, leaving a 
lasting mark in Washington, D.C.
  Dan's passing is a significant loss to the Upper Peninsula, but 
Michigan and the United States have benefited immensely from his 
lifetime of public service. He is missed dearly by his family and 
friends, and his memory will undoubtedly live on for generations to 
come. Dan's tireless devotion to the public good touched the lives of 
so many Michiganders, and the impact of his work cannot be overstated.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of Michigan's First Congressional District, 
I ask you to join me in honoring the life of Dr. Daniel Joseph 
Benishek. I was honored to call Dan a friend, and it is an honor to 
uphold his legacy in Congress.

                          ____________________