Remember
When • • •

Standing Firm

U.S. Rep. David Bonior banks on his strong beliefs about social
and economic justice to get him to the governor's o zce.

HARRY KI RS BAUM
Staff Writer

111/ ichigan Democrat U.S. Rep. David Bonior
says holding firm to his core beliefs has
served him well in his now 54 percent
Republican district.
And he believes those core beliefs about social and eco-
nomic justice would make him a great governor.
"I've weathered the political storms of a Republican party
angry at my position on social, economic and justice
issues," said Bonior, who served through the Reagan and
Bush presidencies. "I have been able to do well in my con-
stituency, and I have been through a lot of fires, and had a
lot of experience dealing with Republicans."
Bonior talked to the Jewish News last week, in the first in
a series ofJN interviews with candidates for Michigan's
gubernatorial race in November 2002.
Name recognition in Oakland County doesn't come easi-
David Bonior
ly to Bonior. Except for one four-year term in Rochester
and Rochester Hills, his constituency has covered the 10th
District, which includes most of Macomb County (exclud-
a friend [of Jews]. Some of that revolves around the idea
ing only the cities of Warren, Sterling Heights, Utica and
that I'm close to the Arab-American communities, and I am.
Centerline) and all of St. Clair County.
"When I am at Arab-American events, when someone
"I'm not well known in Oakland County," he said. "But
speaks in an anti-Semitic way, I don't just stand there and
at the end of this process, people will know me. We'll have
not say anything. They know that and they respect that,
forums and debates on the issues."
and they don't do that very often."
He sees himself ideologically as a progressive Democrat
Bonior said his campaign themes will be based on educa-
who cares about social and economic justice, immigration
tion, the environment, the urban agenda and diversity.
issues, religious tolerance and civil liberties. His voting
He believes in public school education, and has always
record has been 100 percent for the Latino community,
been
opposed to vouchers.
NAACP and ACLU, he said.
"I
do
not believe in this concept of failed schools and failed
"When I decide to fight for something, I fight hard," he said.
students or picking winners and losers. That kind of thinking
He cited his labor activities in marches with strawberry
is detrimental to the process of educating children," he said.
pickers and steel workers, and his arrest with other strikers
He cited his success in helping Congress get 100,000 new
during the Detroit newspaper strike.
teachers around the country as well as class-size reductions.
He said some of his stances on Israel aren't very popular
He also worked to get federal funding for after-school pro-
with Jews, but if he wins the primary, he will look for
grams increased to $1 billion, and he supports early education.
Jewish support.
He says he is most passionate about urban neighborhoods,
On the question of Israel, "I try to be honest and call it
where
he often sees vacant lots, abandoned homes, parks in
like I see it," he said. "When I've disagreed, I've done so
disrepair
and a destroyed infrastructure.
respectfully and constructively. I'm a strong supporter of
He has a few ideas, starting with neighborhood credit
Israel's security, and of a just and lasting peace."
unions
1-1,-2. said he contributes to Peace Now, a left-wing political
"Many o1 these [decaying] places have no financial base," he
movement in Israel, and to Holocaust memorials. Over the
said.
"Loan sharks work there. To empower those people, and
years, he has been a member of Seeds of Peace, a program
congregate
their resources — let them build from within.
that brings together youth from embattled areas, including
"Partner the state with these neighborhood resource cred-
Israel and Arab lands.
it unions so the state can contribute to give them a base,"
He said he is meeting with Jewish leaders, and notes
he said. "Partner a corporation with the universities to
some Jewish support, but "probably not as much as
teach people how to run those credit unions, monitor
[Michigan Attorney General Jenni f er] Granholm and [for-
them, work them, so we turn those vacant lots into parks.
mer Governor James] Blanch',-,,. d.
"I'm at the point in my life where I have the experience, I have
"We're continuing to reach out for support. Part of it has
the
energy, the passion, and I want to make a difference." ❑
been Irving to dispel impressions over the years that I'm not

From the pages of the Jewish News for
this week 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50
years ago.

1991

Nine Soviet Jewish couples remar-
ried in an Orthodox Jewish wed-
ding ceremony at Oak Park's
Charlotte Rothstein Park.
Mary Lou Zieve of Bloomfield
Hills became president of the
Jewish Ensemble Theatre.

1981

State Rep. Barbara Rose Collins,
D-Detroit, introduced legislation to
ban paramilitary camps in
Michigan such as those run by the
Ku Klux Klan.
Dr. Seymour Rosen of
Farmington Hills was named to the
Council on Sports Vision.

197/

Charles L. Fefferman, a 22-year-old
mathematical genius, was appoint-
ed to a lifetime tenure at the
University of Chicago and became
the youngest man to hold a full
professorship at a major university.
Rabbi Allan David Kensky
became the new spiritual leader of
Beth Israel Congregation in Ann
Arbor.
The Kosher Dining Club at the
University of Michigan began its fifth
year at Hillel House in Ann Arbor.

1941

Seymour Kraus of Oak Park was
appointed co-chair of the Legislative
Review Subcommittee of the Michigan
Association of Certified Public
Accountants State Tax Committee.
Detroiter Irving Lawton was
engaged to supervise the Shaarey
Shomayim Hebrew School.

1951

A delegation of 300 Jews called
upon General Juan Peron urging
him to accept the candidacy for
reelection as president of Argentina.
Detroiter Mary Bakst was award-
ed a Fulbright scholarship for study
abroad.
An Orthodox Jew, 13-year-old
Irving Belz, became the nation's
top spelling champ.

— Compiled by Sy Manello,
editorial assistant

9/7
2001

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