State Representative Tom Casperson is making his official announcement for US Congress Monday, March 17th in Escanaba.
The event will be at the Day’s Inn (Escanaba) on US 41 from 12:00 to 1:00.
Event is open for all to all and light appetizers will be served.
For additional information, please contact Diane Casperson at 906-280-8800.
About Tom:
BACKGROUND:
Tom Casperson was elected in November 2002 to the Michigan House of Representatives in an upset of Menominee Mayor Laurie Stupak. He was re-elected in 2004 and 2006, securing as much as 68% of the vote.
Prior to being elected to the State House, Casperson worked in his family’s log trucking business for 27 years, including 12 years as owner and operator of Casperson and Son Trucking. He represented the third generation in the business started by his grandfather.
Casperson was born July 20, 1959 in Escanaba, and graduated from Escanaba High School in 1977. He and his wife Diane, whom he married in 1982, continue to reside in Escanaba with their four children: Ashley, Tommy, Hillary, and Dane.
Casperson, elected by his peers as an Assistant Majority Whip, has served as the Chair of the House Conservation, Forestry and Outdoor Recreation Committee. He has also served as Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee, as well as a member of the Committees overseeing Agriculture, Energy & Technology, Veterans Affairs, Tourism, and Transportation Appropriations. Additionally, Casperson has served on House Sub-Committees that examined a wide range of issues, including: Tourism, Alternative Energy, Gas Pricing, Cormorants, and Secretary of State Fees.
AFFILIATIONS:
Casperson served on the Board of Directors and the Transportation Committee for the Michigan Association of Timbermen; as President of the Michigan Professional Log Truck Council; and on the Legislative Committee of the Timber Producers Association. He also served on the Board of New Life Assembly of God Church in Escanaba for nine years, and is a member of the Bark River Lions.
Casperson is a member of the National Rifle Association; the National Federation of Independent Business; and the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners, whom he also serves as a Board member.
DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS:
Although Casperson represents only 3 of the District’s 31 counties, he is already well established throughout the District, and has unique knowledge of the issues and dynamics of the District, for a number of reasons, including:
- He is the only elected Republican legislator (State and Federal) from the Upper Peninsula (which comprises nearly one-half of the District’s counties). In fact, he is one of only five Republican legislators in the entire District. As a result, necessity has required him to take an active and visible role promoting conservative causes throughout the District.
- His willingness to travel the District, logging on average 7000 miles each year outside of his District, but within the First Congressional District, to meet the people & address the issues facing the District
- The positive relationship he has built with the media. Casperson has annually been featured on as many as:
- 38 radio shows (not merely daily news interviews) ranging from local stations in the District, to Lansing and metro Detroit stations, to Sirius Satellite Radio;
- 10 television programs (again, minus regular station nightly news interviews) ranging from Marquette to Fox News in New York; and
- quarterly newspaper editorial interviews (again, minus regular nightly news coverage), and op ed submissions, in papers as diverse as the Escanaba Daily Press to the Detroit Free Press.
- His tireless work ethic, leading him to regularly attend everything from Eagle Scout ceremonies, to Lincoln Day Dinners, to classroom visits, to Township meetings.
Additionally, to promote and tackle issues facing the First District, Casperson has brought over 50 of his legislative colleagues into the District.
HONORS & AWARDS:
- Advocate of the Year presented by the Michigan Manufacturer’s Association in recognition of "advocacy and outstanding performance;"
- The Tuebor Award, presented by Michigan Forest Products Council in recognition of "excellence in defending Michigan’s forests;"
- Legislative Leadership Award presented by Great Lakes Timber Professionals in recognition of "leadership in supporting sustainable forest management;"
- Legislator of the Year presented by Safari International. Legislative Leadership Award presented the County Road Association in recognition of "tireless efforts for safe roads and bridges;"
- Outstanding Conservation Award presented by the Delta Conservation District in recognition of "outstanding accomplishments in the conservation of forestry;"
- Lake States Region Logging Safety and Innovation Award" presented by Husqvarna;
- Literacy Award presented by the Friends of Education in recognition of "support for Michigan’s Free Book Program;"
- Certificates of Appreciation from Northern Michigan University, Abate, and the Upper Peninsula Optometrists;
- Special Volunteer Award presented by the Michigan Association of Timbermen in recognition of involvement on the Log Truck Safety Task Force;
- National Logging Safety & Innovations Award presented by the American Logging Council in recognition of designing, building and using a “state of the art” cribbed trailer to safely haul timber.
LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Since being elected to the House, Casperson has introduced fifty three Bills and seven Resolutions, and authored twenty Public Acts, including:
The Crib Truck Bill: The issue that drove Casperson to run for the House after a mother and her daughter were killed as a result of a log spill. The legislation permits timber haulers to haul wood "cross-ways" in "crib," which is a measurably safer manner to haul timber. (Public Act 142 of 2003)
The Healthy Forest Package: A package of Bills requiring the Department of Natural Resources to certify Michigan’s forest as sustainable forests. (Public Act 125 of 2004)
Metallic Mining Reform: Legislation that permitted (through arguably the worlds most stringent rules) Metallic Mining in Michigan, and allows for significant job growth. (Public Act 449 of 2004),
The Castle Doctrine: An Act that gives Michigan citizens the right to use force to defend themselves, and providing law abiding citizens with civil immunity. (Public Act 313 of 2006)
House Bill 5339: A Bill which prevented the State from seizing control of the Mackinac Bridge (Public Act 332 of 2005).
House Bill 6003: Legislation that provided $80 million to county road commission to allow them to expedite local road projects. (Public Act 141 of 2006)
House Bill 5843: An Act that protects children, homeowners and communities from the growing threat of methamphetamine labs. (Public Act 263 of 2006).
Driving Michigan: A package of Bills that provides greater retail access to renewable fuels. (Public Act 116 of 2006).
House Bill 6245: Legislation that amended the Cervidae Producers Act at the request of the Industry to provide for updated and industry-acceptable standards. (Public Act 561 of 2006).
Amendments: In addition to being the primary author of twenty public acts, Casperson also successfully authored countless amendments to bills on a wide range of issues confronting the District, including amendments that: provided needed funding for the Sex Offender Registry; kept the Iron River State Police Post open; maintained the judicial staffing of the Dickinson County Circuit Court; provided needed funding for Northern Michigan University and Newberry Correctional Facility; and provided additional base funding for Bay De Noc Community College.
Many people are running from Michigan everyday because they may lose their jobs.