“Fred” Upton, U.S. Representative for Michigan’s 6th congressional district, is the winner of this year’s Dr. Howard A. Tanner Award for dedication and leadership in making outstanding contributions to Michigan’s anadromous sport fishery.  The announcement was made at MSSFA’s annual presidents’ meeting and the presentation will occur during the Southwest Michigan Steel headers “Summer Challenge” sport fishing tournament awards ceremony on Saturday, May 7, 2016 in St. Joseph, MI.

Upton has been tireless advocate for the Great Lakes from the time he first took office in 1987.  His district stretches along the Michigan-Indiana border in the southwestern part of the state.  He was born in St. Joseph, MI and earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Michigan before going to Washington to serve on the congressional staff of U.S. Congressman David Stockman (R-MI).  He served in the Office of Management and (Budget) OMB) under Ronald Reagan before running for congress.  He is marking his 30th year serving Michigan in Congress and is Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce as well as on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.

Growing up on Michigan’s coastline instilled in him a deep appreciation for the beauty of our natural resources, which is why protecting and preserving our Great Lakes for future generations to enjoy is so important to him.  In 2007 he learned that the state of Indiana had given the green light to British Petroleum to increase the amount of ammonia and suspended solids being dumped daily into Lake Michigan from its Whiting Refinery.  With the help of the Great Lakes Caucus, he won a tremendous victory when BP acquiesced and announced that it would reverse course and not increase the amount of hazardous chemicals released into Lake Michigan.  In 2011, he reached across the aisle to work with John Dingel, a Democrat, to craft and shepherd through the bipartisan Pipeline Infrastructure and Community Protection Act which ensures vital updates and improvements are made in U.S. pipeline safety.

Working to stop the spread of invasive species like Asian Carp is another issue he has championed.  He is an original co-sponsor of the Asian Carp Prevention Act which directs the Secretary of the Army to coordinate and lead federal actions to prevent the spread of Asian Carp in the Great Lakes, and importantly, its tributaries.

The issue that caught his attention most recently is the issue of synthetic plastic microbeads that are used in personal care products such as facial scrubs, soap, and toothpaste.  These pieces of micro plastic get through our water treatment plants and end up in our rivers, streams and Great Lakes. 

Fred joined with Democrat Frank Pallone of New Jersey in sponsoring federal legislation that would prohibit the sale of personal care products that contain synthetic plastic microbeads. He not only worked to pass it the House but was able to get it passed in the Senate and signed by the President on December 28, 2016, becoming the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015.

This is another example of how he is working to make sure our waterways are clear of pollutants.

Finally, he recently signed on as a cosponsor of bipartisan legislation that will help protect our Great Lakes by authorizing the Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for Fiscal Year 2016 to Fiscal Year 2020. The initiative targets projects such as the remediation of toxic substances, the prevention and control of invasive species like Asian Carp, protects the restoration of near-shore health and works to restore Great Lakes habitat and wildlife.

Protecting and preserving our Great lakes' ecosystem for future generations remains one of his top priorities and makes him this year’s ideal recipient of the Howard A. Tanner Award for dedication and leadership in making outstanding contributions to Michigan’s anadromous fish sport fishery.