Gary C. Peters
Age: 49
Birth City: Rochester Hills
City of Residence: Bloomfield Hills
Years Lived in District: Entire life. The
Peters family has been in Oakland County
since the 1840s
Family: wife, Colleen Ochoa Peters; son,
three children
Business/Professional Career:
•Military: lieutenant commander, U.S. Navy
Reserve, 1993-2005;
• Political: senator,14th District, Michigan
State Senate, 1995-2002; council member,
at-large, Rochester Hills City Council, 1992-
1994;
•Employment: Griffin Endowed Chair in
American Government, Central Michigan
University, August 2007- present; commis-
1.Israel
My visit to Israel was one of the highlights of
my life. I was struck by the beauty of the land
and the courage of the Israeli people who
live on the front lines of the War on Terror.
It reinforced my belief that a strong, vibrant,
and democratic Israel is vital to American
national security interests.
The United States and Israel share a deep
bond. It is a bond based on common values,
such as the belief in democracy, freedom and
due process of law. The relationship between
our two nations has been strong since the
creation of the State of Israel in 1948, and
it continues to be important as both our
countries work together to fight tenor. As
a former military officer, I know that U.S.-
Israel defense cooperation is crucial to both
countries' security.
In Congress, I will be a strong voice in sup-
port of foreign aid — both security and eco-
nomic. I will unequivocally support Israel's
efforts for peace, stability and security, and
I will vote to hold the Palestinian leadership
accountable for their actions.
2. Iran
I believe that we must pursue every avail-
able option to prevent Iran from developing
nuclear weapons. While I believe that dip-
lomatic efforts should be the first option in
addressing any global threat, I would leave
all other options on the table if diplomacy
fails. I strongly support efforts to promote
financial divestment from Iran and other
measures designed to isolate this country
and address its growing threat. At all levels of
government, the United States and its allies
must send a united message to Iran that it
must stop supporting global terrorism and
cooperate with the international commu-
nity's demands that it cease its dangerous
nuclear program.
3. Gun Control
As a former lieutenant commander in the
Navy Reserve, I believe in protecting the
constitutional rights of lawful, responsible
gun owners and that we need to enforce
existing laws that keep guns out of the
hands of criminals.
4. Homeland Security
While serving in the Navy Reserve, I spent
time in the Persian Gulf in support of
Operation Southern Watch. Based on my
experience, I believe that we must imme-
diately begin redeploying our troops from
Iraq so that we can refocus on other seri-
ous threats, including the resurgence of the
Taliban and Al Qaida in Afghanistan and
Pakistan. Additionally, we must work to
secure our borders, so that we can know and
control who is coming in to our country. Our
national security is also closely tied to Israel's
security; and in Congress, I will strongly sup-
port Israel's right to defend itself; I will work
to ensure that Israel remains secure, prosper-
ous and free.
In Congress, I will work to secure home-
land security funding for targeted communi-
ties. The Jewish community should feel safe
in local community centers and places of
worship, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
sioner, Michigan State Lottery, 2003-2007;
vice president, investments, UBS Paine
Webber Inc.,1989-2003; assistant vice presi-
dent, Merrill Lynch Inc., 1980-1989; instruc-
tor, finance, Wayne State University, Detroit,
fall 1991/winter 1994; instructor, strategic
management and business policy, Oakland
University, summer 1991/1992.
•Israel Watch: While serving in the State
Senate: visited Israel as part of a delegation
of Michigan legislators; met with govern-
ment officials, business leaders and citizen
groups; toured several economic incubators
being developed in partnership with busi-
nesses in Michigan. During later visit to the
Middle East: met with the Israeli ambas-
sador to Jordan to discuss Israel's broader
interests in the region. Service in the Navy
Reserve also took him to the Middle East,
Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington
Hills. I will also support efforts like those
of my friend, Congresswoman Debbie
Wasserman Schultz, to promote broader
awareness of Jewish-American history and
culture.
Congress must also join the Jewish com-
munity in their crucial role of preventing
future genocides. After the lessons of the
Holocaust, and the more recent genocide
in Rwanda, it is far too clear that we cannot
and must not stand by and do nothing about
the situation in Darfur. Not only should we
take action, but we must work to involve our
friends and allies in the world community.
7. Abortion
I support a woman's right to choose, and I
will work to protect this right. I am also a
strong supporter of expanding life-saving
embryonic stem cell research which offers
the promise of finding cures for terrible
afflictions including diabetes, Parkinson's,
Alzheimer's and someday, cancer.
8. Immigration
We must first secure our borders. This is not
only an issue of immigration but of national
security. We also must crack down on busi-
nesses that hire illegal immigrants — this
practice not only exploits people — it lowers
wages which is something Michigan families
can not afford. Lastly we must fix our legal
immigration system, so that those who are
seeking to enter the country legally can do
so, and we must fully fund INS so that the
men and women charged with the monu-
mental task of managing entry in the free
world have the tools to do their job.
S. U.S. Supreme Court
I firmly support the separation of church
and state as enshrined in the First
Amendment to our Constitution, and I
believe that Congress and the Supreme
Court have a responsibility to guard against
intrusions on Americans' religious freedom.
I also support a woman's right to choose,
and I would oppose any efforts to amend
the U.S. Constitution to restrict the rights of
American citizens.
As a former vice president at two major
6. Never Forget
In Congress, I will support programs and
institutions in our community like the
investment firms, I will make my first prior-
ity in Congress the jumpstart of Michigan's
economy. I will take immediate action to cut
taxes for the middle class and small busi-
9. Michigan
including duty in the Persian Gulf in support
of Operation Southern Watch. Has seen
firsthand that a free, vibrant and demo-
cratic Israel is of the utmost importance to
America's national security. In Congress:
will fight ensure that Israel remains secure
and prosperous; will work to strengthen the
bonds of friendship between our two coun-
tries.
Affiliations: Michigan Bar Association
Religious affiliation: Episcopalian
Campaign Web Site:
www.petersforcongress.com
Campaign Office: 5600 W. Maple, C316
West Bloomfield 48322; (248) 737-2692
nesses, get rid of tax breaks that encourage
companies to ship jobs overseas, promote
fair trade policies and provide incentives to
businesses to create new jobs here at home.
Michigan is poised to take the lead in the
next generation of energy-efficient vehicles
and alternative energy technologies like
wind, solar and biofuels. In Congress, I will
work to bring those jobs to Michigan to get
our economy moving forward again.
10.Economic Stimulus
With a vibrant Jewish population here in
Oakland County and a highly skilled work-
force in Israel, we are in a strong position to
take advantage of bi-national cooperation.
Economic incubators formed in partner-
ship with businesses here in Michigan have
already been a boon to both the Israeli and
Michigan economies. As a businessman with
over 20 years of experience in the investment
industry I will work to encourage further
trade relationships of this kind that will help
create jobs and open new opportunities for
Michigan's businesses, workers and consum-
ers.
11.Humanitarian Outreach
In Congress, I will work to support pro-
grams that address the issues of hunger
and poverty here at home. The best way for
us to fight poverty is by helping people get
good-paying jobs; this is why I will work to
promote investment in education and job
training programs to help more Americans
build a better life for themselves and their
children. We must also act to address the
spiraling health care costs that are placing
a heavy burden on families and businesses
alike. To combat international poverty, I
will support the efforts of the Millennium
Campaign to improve the lives of the world's
poorest people.
On a personal level, I believe each of us
has a responsibility to take action to help
people in our own communities. I have
Gary C. Peters on page A16
September 11. 2008
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