Upton receives 2022 Liberty Bell Award

Fred Upton, United States Representative for Michigan’s 6th Congressional District, was honored Wednesday by the St. Joseph County Bar Association with the 2022 Liberty Bell Award.

Jordan Yancey, St. Joseph County Bar Association president, spoke about the award and introduced Upton.

She said the association created the local award in 1985 and is presented to a non-lawyer, individual, or organization, within the St. Joseph County community, who has made an outstanding contribution to the community in one of the following areas:

• Promoting a better understanding of our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

• Encouraging a greater respect for the law and the Courts.

• Stimulating a deeper sense of individual responsibility so that citizens recognize their duties as well as their rights.

• Contributing to the effective functioning of our private and governmental institutions.

• Fostering a better understanding and appreciation for the rule of law.

Yancey said Upton was first elected to the United States House of Representatives for Michigan’s 6th Congressional District (presently 4th Congressional District) in 1987. He has served in that position with distinction, she said, having been re-elected to the House of Representatives fourteen times.

Upton is a lifetime resident of Southwestern Michigan. He hails from St. Joseph, Michigan in Berrien County. He attended high school at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in St. Joseph. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1975.

During his term in Congress, he has served as Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. At this time, he serves as the top Republican on the Energy Sub-Committee. With the retirement of Sander Levin, Upton is now the Dean of Michigan’s Congressional Delegation.

In 2014, along with Representative Diana Degette, of Colorado, Fred launched the 21st Century’s Cures Initiative. This Bipartisan effort aims to bring researchers, industry, and patients together to speed up the discovery, development, and delivery of life saving cures. Recently, Congressman Upton and Congresswoman Degette have continued that effort with the Cures 2.0 Legislation to continue to find treatments for some the world’s cruelest diseases from cancer to Alzheimer’s.

Upton is the Vice Chair of the House Problem Solvers Congressional Caucus. He is also a member of a dozen additional Caucasus, including the Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus and Sportsmen Caucus.

Upton has severed with seven presidents of both parties and has always worked for bipartisan solutions.

During his Tenure in Congress, Upton has always been accessible to his constituents, Yancey said. He has made hundreds of trips to St. Joseph County during that time, and thousands of appearances throughout the district. Upton has made a particular effort to contact students, at one time visiting at least one school in the district on a weekly basis.

According to Upton, his priorities for today remain the same as when he was first elected in 1986: job creation, economic growth, and working to help all the residents of Southwest Michigan to live longer, better lives, Yancey said.

“As someone who grew up in a very small community (Mendon), we appreciate all of your efforts,” she said.

Upton and his wife Amy continue to reside in St. Joseph. His two adult children have gone on to successful careers of their own. Upton continues to be an ardent supporter of the Michigan Wolverines, and an enthusiastic supporter of the Chicago Cubs.

Upton was nominated by the members of the St. Joseph County Bar Association for this award for his professionalism and dedication to the citizens of St. Joseph County.

District Court Judge Jeffrey Middleton said Upton joins a long list of esteemed recipients of the award who have served St. Joseph County with distinction. The bar association will make a donation to St. Joseph County United Way in Upton’s name for the award, he said.

Upton thanked the group for the award. He said he’s been blessed that St. Joseph County has been part of his district. If he would have sought reelection, the county would not have been part of his district, he said.

“This district has always been special,” Upton said.

Upton said he’s worked with wonderful people in his district, including lawyers, judges and prosecutors that he has relied on.

“This county in particular has had outstanding folks that have helped people,” he said, adding that he’s been fortunate to have a district that has supported him for 36 years.

A reception followed the award presentation, which was held at the St. Joseph County courthouse.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: news-Fred Upton- 2022 Liberty Bell Award