[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING FORMER CONGRESSMAN FRED UPTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2023

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize former 
Congressman Fred Upton and his contributions to philanthropies 
throughout Michigan and across the country as he receives a well-
deserved honor from the Council on Michigan Foundations this evening. 
Congressman Upton served his community for 36 years in the House of 
Representatives, and his significant contributions to our community are 
worthy of commendation.
  Congressman Upton was born in St. Joseph, Michigan, and is a graduate 
of the University of Michigan. He first ran for office in 1986, and 
never once wavered in his commitment to the people he served. Known 
simply as Fred to everyone who has ever met him, he has always brought 
people together, and he has been one of my best friends for longer than 
either of us care to remember. To him, `bipartisan' and `compromise' 
are not forbidden words. Fred knows well that if we are going to 
deliver real solutions for the American people, we need to come 
together and listen to all perspectives, no matter how complicated the 
issue may be. It is because of that thinking, that he was able to get 
so much done in Congress.
  Raised by a family with deep roots in their community, Fred spends 
day and night thinking of ways to support his neighbors. His family 
helped launch the Berrien Community Foundation as well as the Frederick 
S. Upton Foundation a few years later and has contributed tens of 
millions to charitable causes. These efforts include the creation of 
the Stephen E. Upton Love Your Community Endowment, which provides 
grants of at least $50,000 every year to local non-profit organizations 
supporting needs in their community. Though we lost Stephen last year, 
his impact will carry on through his loving wife of 71 years, 
Elizabeth, and his children, who like Fred, are always seeking 
opportunities to do the most good in his memory.
  That family commitment to community always guided Fred's work in 
Congress. He introduced the Strength and Partnership Act of 2022 to 
strengthen the relationship between nonprofits and the federal 
government. He would spend hours on the phone or in his neighborhood 
talking to his constituents about how he could help them. Fred was 
never too busy to lend an ear or a shoulder to a neighbor in need. And 
even as he has retired from Congress, he will still be out in his 
community finding ways to serve anyone and everyone who needs a little 
help.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring former 
Congressman Fred Upton. We are grateful for his time spent serving the 
citizens of Southwest Michigan. I join with his family, friends, and 
colleagues in extending my best wishes to him for the future.

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