Visionary Looks Ahead - Thomas M. Cooley Law School

featureStupak was elected to the U.S. House ofRepresentatives in 1992 and has achievedre-election ever since.A FLEXIBLE LAW SCHOOLSCHEDULEAbout this time, the Michigan State Policetransferred Stupak to a specialized unit inLansing -- the backyard of Cooley’s originalcampus. The law school’s flexible eveningschedule allowed Stupak to balance his joband studies. He graduated from Cooleythree years later.Ironically, Stupak experienced a knee injury in1982, resulting in a degenerative condition.Unable to keep up with the intense physicalrequirements of his position, he was medicallyretired from the state police force.Armed with his law degree, Stupak enteredprivate practice back in the Upper Peninsulaand soon took a first-time and successful runfor the Michigan House of Representatives,serving Menominee, Delta and Dickinsoncounties. He was elected to the U.S. Houseof Representatives in 1992 and has achievedre-election ever since.During his impressive tenure, Stupak hasgrappled with everything from environmentalprotection of the Great Lakes – one of hissignature priorities – to severely restricting thecontroversial acne drug Accutane from pharmacyshelves. His passion for restricting the drug wasalso rooted in personal tragedy; the Stupak’syoungest son, Bart, Jr, died after takingAccutane. Stupak believes the medicationcontributed to his son’s death.Today, the controversial drug now comeswith “warnings galore,” Stupak said.TIME-TESTED COOLEYTEACHINGSThe time-tested rigors of Cooley teachings,including the school’s emphasis on criticalthinking, continue to support him at everyturn in his career.In September 2010, Stupak, Chairman of theOversight and Investigations Subcommittee,was preparing for hearings on the salmonellapoisoning outbreak in eggs.“You have to know both sides of the issue; inthis case, you need to anticipate what the eggfarmers are going to say,” he said. “It’s verydetailed, critical thinking.”4 BENCHMARK FALL 2010 COOLEY.EDU