Schuette Takes Action

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#0000BF" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="044005a0exvipq.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFCC33" FACE="Copperplate Gothic Bold" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Eastside Republican Club"><U><B>Home</B></U></A><B>  </B><B> </B></FONT><B>  | </B><B> </B><B> </B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Copperplate Gothic Bold" ><B>Eastside Republican Club</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="erc_meeting_dates.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Events</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="eastside_republican_review_summary.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ERC Review"><U><B>ERC Review</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="michigan_s_13th_district.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Congressional District News"><U><B>Congressional District News</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="civic___governmental_links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="erc_officers.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us"><U><B>About Us</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Schuette Takes Action</B></div> <div> <A HREF="link_to_michigan_gop.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Michigan Republicans"><U><B><IMG SRC="05358580.gif" border=0 width="88" height="88" ALT="Michigan GOP" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="michigan_s_13th_district.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Congressional District News"><U><I><B>Congressional District News</B></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="east_lansing.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Michigan GOP Convention 2010"><U><I><B>2010 Republican Convention</B></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="erc_testimonials.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What Theyre Saying About Us"><U><I><B>Read what they've said about us</B></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="erc_meeting_dates.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Events"><U><B><IMG SRC="81b871f0.gif" border=0 width="135" height="31" ALT=">>Events" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> <A NAME="top_of_page_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="1b3ffab50.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="437" ALT="Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuetee" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="10"><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I><U>Will it be Regular or Decaf?</U></I></FONT></div> <div> <B>Attorney General Bill Schuette</B></div> <div> <B>'On Duty' at Eastside GOP PAC Dinner</B></div> <div> By John Minnis</div> <div> Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette was the special guest at the <A HREF="erc_p_a_c_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ERC P.A.C."><U>Eastside Republican Club's PAC</U></A> fundraiser April 28 at Sindbad's restaurant in Detroit.</div> <div> He served coffee.</div> <div> It was no slight. Schuette, who won election as the state's top lawyer in November, loves to serve coffee. It has been his winning formula.</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="311" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 321 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b302c370.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="311" ALT="Pictured with attorney general Bill Schuette are, from left, Michigan Republican Party leaders Rick Cunningham, Linda Solterisch, Schuette, from 13th district chairman Krista Haroutunian, and John Chouinard. Photo by John Minnis" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="2"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 488 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b562cde0.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="478" ALT="Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette pictured with Angela and Jermain Jones at recent Eastside Republican Club Political Action Committee dinner at Sindbad's on the River in Detroit" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="2"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 385 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b322c770.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="375" ALT="At the Eastside Republican Club PAC fundraiser April 28 at Sindbad's were, from left, Jenny Nolan, chairman of the Eastside Republican Club; Bill Schuette, Michigan attorney general; Susan Gillooly, club secretary; and Mike Nolan, club treasurer. Photo by John Minnis" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="2"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> “What's the deal with the coffee, the coffee thing?” Schuette asked and then explained.</div> <div> In 1984 -- after having earned a B.S. in foreign service from Georgetown University and a J.D. from the University of San Francisco Law School and serving as a delegate to the Republican conventions in 1972, 1974 and 1982 -- the 31-year-old Midland native decided to run for political office -- not just any office, but that of the entrenched, three-term Democratic incumbent Donald J. Albost.</div> <div> “No one gave me a prayer. No one gave me chance to win,” he recalled. “I poured coffee for 18 months at every Farm Bureau, Kiwanis Club meeting, you name it. I won by 1,308 votes. Every cup of coffee counts!”</div> <div> Then even before their coffee cooled, he was warming the Sindbad's audience from the podium by leading them in his trademark campaign chant, “Bill Schuette, on Duty!”</div> <div> Schuette served three terms in Congress before unsuccessfully challenging incumbent Democrat Carl Levin for his seat in the U.S. Senate in 1990. Gov. John Engler appointed Schuette as the director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, where he served until 1993. While director, Schuette and his wife, Cynthia, created the Michigan Harvest Gathering, a food and fund drive to help feed hungry people throughout the state. The Michigan Harvest Gathering raised more than $4 million and 6 million pounds of food over a 12-year period.</div> <div> In November 1994, Schuette was elected to the Michigan Senate, where he served until being elected to the Michigan Court of Appeals in 2002. After leaving the judiciary in 2009, Schuette joined Warner, Norcross & Judd.</div> <div> On November 2, 2010, Schuette was elected Michigan's 53rd attorney general, serving as the lawyer for the people of the State of Michigan. <I>>></I><A HREF="http://www.michigan.gov/ag/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.michigan.gov/ag/"><U><I>Official Attorney General Site</I></U></A><I>.</I></div> <div> Schuette said, “Job One is Jobs.” He said he has assigned a development officer to facilitate legal matters, to “break down barriers,” for businesses looking to create jobs in Michigan.</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="306" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 431 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b342ca50.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="421" ALT="U of M regent chairman Andrew Richner, center, enjoys the evening with Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Neilson" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="2"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 254 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b372cf40.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="244" ALT="Members and guests at the Eastside Republican Club PAC dinner" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="2"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 216 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b382cce0.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="206" ALT="Sindbad's on the River in Detroit" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="2"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> From his perspective as attorney general, he said he sees an “Old Michigan” and a “New Michigan.”</div> <div> Old Michigan was overtaxed, overspent, over-regulated and was too-big government, Schuette said. </div> <div> “Michigan deserves a lot better,” he said. “Fortunately, it's morning in Michigan. We have a new team. We have a great new governor: Rick Snyder. We're holding all the cards, including a conservative Supreme Court that doesn't make things up as they go along. Now we need to perform.”</div> <div> Schuette said he had the opportunity to meet President Ronald Reagan, who traveled to Midland to speak on the young challenger's behalf back in 1984, the time Schuette won by just 1,308 votes.</div> <div> “He told me three things,” Schuette recalled, “remember your promises, remember your principles and there are things worth fighting for.”</div> <div> While running for attorney general, Schuette said he made three promises:</div> <div> 1) To support Arizona in its right to fight illegal immigration.</div> <div> 2) To prevent the Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes.</div> <div> 3) To “fight ObamaCare tooth and nail.”</div> <div> After 128 days in office, Schuette said, he has:</div> <div> 1) Filed lawsuit on behalf of a group of like-minded attorneys general in support of Arizona's right to protect itself when “the federal government fails to do so.”</div> <div> 2) Filed suit to force the closure of the locks, and to build a permanent barrier to prevent the Asian from reaching the Great Lakes.</div> <div> 3) As a Constitution-oriented attorney general, he is constantly fighting the overreach of federal government such as with “ObamaCare” (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act).</div> <div> He said the No. 1 role of government is public safety, and as attorney general he will “keep the bad guys locked up” and at the same time keep costs down through privatization of services.</div> <div> “I will not release dangerous criminals early,” he said. “I'm an attorney. I know Miranda, but I also need to recognize the rights of victims. I am putting in place in my office a new Crime Victims Advocate. The criminal suspects have Miranda. The victims in Michigan will have Bill Schuette behind them.”</div> <div> Public corruption is one of the new attorney general's top priorities.</div> <div> “On my watch,” Schuette said, “there will be no more Kwame Kilpatricks.”</div> <div> After being introduced by ERC-PAC Chairman John Stempfle - who emceed the event in lieu of perennial host <A HREF="mccleary.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Founder Tom McCleary"><U>Tom McCleary</U></A>, who was laid up due to complications following knee-replacement surgery - Schuette acknowledged many of the Eastside and 13th Congressional District Republicans he has known for years. One of those singled out was Grosse Pointe Park Mayor Palmer Heenan, who served with Schuette at several Republican conventions.</div> <div> “This guy here, Palmer, helped me cut my teeth when I was a new delegate,” Schuette said of Heenan.</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="307" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 252 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b3c2cf20.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="242" ALT="Fabulous Sindbad's buffet for members and guests at the Eastside Republican Club PAC dinner" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="2"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 240 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b3d2ce60.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="230" ALT="Eastside Republicans at the Eastside Republican Club PAC dinner" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="2"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 231 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b3e2cdd0.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="221" ALT="Some VIPs at the Eastside Republican Club PAC dinner" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="2"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> He also singled out Third Circuit Judge Timothy M. Kenny, presiding judge of Wayne County's Criminal Division; Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Christopher Murray; and past 13th District Chairman Ed Joseph and wife, Therese.</div> <div> Schuette also acknowledged longtime Eastside Republican supporter Leta McKeehan, who has chaired 16 out of the 18 PAC fundraiser dinners at Sindbad's. Stempfle presented her with an Andiamo's gift certificate.</div> <div> “You are judged by your friends and the company you keep,” Schuette said. “I am blessed to have so many friends in the Eastside Republican Club.”</div> <div> In addition to chairman Stempfle, the Club's political action committee members include<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > John Chouinard, Carol Hackleman. Ed Joseph, Thomas R. McCleary, Jr., Jeffrey Neilson, and Linda R. Solterisch. The ERC chair, Jenny Nolan, serves as ex officio member of the PAC.</FONT></div> <div> According to Stempfle, proceeds from the event will be used to support local GOP candidates during their 2012 campaigns.</div> <div> <I><B>The First 100 Days</B></I></div> <div> In a recent statement, Schuette pointed to several initiatives since his January inauguration saying, “It has been almost 100 days since I took the oath of office as Michigan's Attorney General, and we have made good use of the time.”</div> <div> “I have continued our state's lawsuit against ObamaCare, fought to keep Asian Carp out of our Great Lakes, and defended the religious freedoms of our students and citizens at public colleges and universities,” he said</div> <div> Referring to action in metro Detroit, he said, “Just this week, I directed my office to <A HREF="http://www.detnews.com/article/20110330/METRO02/103300379/1409/State-of-Michigan-sues-Lathrup-Village-abortion-clinic" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.detnews.com/article/20110330/"><U>close down an abortion clinic</U></A> in southeast Michigan for violations of the state's health code, to protect mothers and children.”</div> <div> In defense of citizens and taxpayers, he said “I also joined with prosecutors around the state to stop exploitation of Michigan's Medical Marijuana law. And my office's new Public Integrity Unit has already filed more than 40 charges in cases of corruption involving state and local officials, he added.”</div> <div> <I><B>On Duty Since 1984</B></I></div> <div> Schuette has extensive experience in both federal and state government, and has served Michigan in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches for three decades.</div> <div> His commitment to public service began in 1984 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives at the age of 31 to become one of the America's youngest congressmen.</div> <div> During his three terms in Congress, Schuette served on the House Budget Committee, the House Agriculture Committee, and the Select Committee on Aging.</div> <div> In 1990, Schuette was Michigan's GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate, after which he was named Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and a member of Governor John Engler's cabinet.</div> <div> While serving as Director of Agriculture, he and his wife created Michigan Harvest Gathering, a food and fund drive to help feed hungry people throughout Michigan. Joining with the Food Bank Council of Michigan, over 18 years Harvest Gathering has raised more than $6.1 million and 7.8 million pounds of food for needy Michigan families.</div> <div> In 1994, Schuette was elected to the Michigan Senate, representing Michigan's 35th Senate District. During his eight years in the Senate, he served on the Judiciary Committee, the Technology and Energy Committee, the Gaming and Casino Oversight Committee, and was Chairman of the Economic Development Committee and Chairman of the Reapportionment Committee.</div> <div> In 2001, Pres. George W. Bush selected Schuette as his personal representative to Australian-American Friendship Week. While in Australia, he represented the U.S. in honoring American and Australian service members who fought and died during the battle of the Coral Sea, a strategic World War II battle in the South Pacific.</div> <div> In November of 2002, Schuette was elected to the Michigan Court of Appeals where he served for six years.</div> <div> <I><B>Citizen Schuette</B></I></div> <div> From 2009 to 2010, Schuette served as senior counsel at the law firm of Warner, Norcross & Judd.</div> <div> Schuette has been a member of various boards and organizations in his community and throughout Michigan. He currently serves as vice president of the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, is a trustee of the Elsa U. Pardee Foundation, is a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation.</div> <div> A native of Midland, Schuette in a 1976 <I>cum laude</I> graduate of Georgetown University where he received a Bachelor of Science in the Foreign Service. He also studied at Scotland's University of Aberdeen.</div> <div> The Attorney General earned his law degree in 1979 from the University of San Francisco, and in 2005, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Northwood University.</div> <div> Schuette and his wife, the former Cynthia Grebe, are the parents of Heidi and Billy. <I>>></I><A HREF="http://www.facebook.com/BillSchuetteforAttorneyGeneral" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.facebook.com/BillSchuetteforA"><U><I>Connect with Schuette on Facebook</I></U></A><I>.</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="#top_of_page_1" TITLE="Schuette Takes Action"><U>back to top</U></A></div> </td> </tr></table></body>