Traverse City— Dr. Dan Benishek was in Indian River today to march in the Memorial Day Parade and dedicate the Killed in Action Memorial Bridge. He took a break from his “100 in 100” tour, where Dr. Dan is visiting 100 small businesses in Northern Michigan in 100 days, to honor America’s fallen soldiers.

“Democracy would not exist without the sacrifice our brave soldiers have made for us. I have a daughter who served in Afghanistan, as a doctor I have worked at a VA hospital for over 20 years and now I serve on the Veterans Affairs Committee in the US House, so I understand the challenges our military faces. These brave men and women have sacrificed so much for the freedoms we enjoy,” said Dr. Dan in front of the K.I.A. Memorial Bridge in Indian River. “This bridge will be a reminder to all who cross that America would not exist without sacrifice— and some have paid the ultimate price to protect our society.”

At 12:01 PM, while the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) laid a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington cemetery, Dr. Dan participated in a moment of silence to pay tribute to and remember those who paid the ultimate price while defending our freedom. To date, 6,442 Americans have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11.

“I felt that it was important to take part in the IAVA moment of silence because we would not be able to enjoy the company our friends and loved ones without the sacrifice of our military and we should never forget that,” said Dr. Dan.

Last week Dr. Dan introduced a plan to get veterans their benefits in a timely manner. Currently 66 percent of VA disability compensation claims are backlogged. His plan called “Break the Backlog,” will help veterans have smoother quicker access to the service and care they need. To find out more about “Break the Backlog,” and Dr. Dan’s other efforts on behalf of our military visit Benishek2012.com.

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Traverse City, MI—Dr. Dan Benishek issued the following statement about the wildfires in Luce County.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the residents who have been displaced as well as the brave first responders who are working tirelessly to put out this fire. What we need to focus on is taking care of the displaced and putting out the fire. I hope that we can end this nightmare quickly, safely and with as little damage as possible. As a doctor my first thoughts always go to the people affected by this disaster. I cannot say enough how much I hope and pray that everyone is safe and surrounded by loved ones. ”

Traverse City— Dr. Dan Benishek continued his “100 in 100” tour today by visiting three businesses in L’Anse and Marquette. During the “100 in 100” tour, Dr. Dan will visit 100 small businesses in Northern Michigan in 100 days. He will meet with local business leaders to hear from them firsthand on how their concerns and how their businesses are being affected by Washington.

“Over course of my ‘100 in 100’ tour I have heard from numerous business owners about how Federal regulations are hampering sportsmen’s use of Federal lands for hunting and fishing,” said Dr. Dan in front of Indian Country Sports. “This is an issue of overzealous politicians in Washington who think they know, better than Michiganders, what is good for Northern Michigan. What we need is a limited Federal government that does not restrict traditional uses of our lands.”

On his 40th stop, Dr. Dan visited Indian Country Sports, a hunting and fishing store in L’Anse.

“It was great to have Dr. Benishek stop by Indian Country today. He is a devoted sportsman who wants to ensure that we are able to utilize Michigan’s great outdoors for hunting and fishing,” said Steve Koski owner of Indian Country Sports. “Access to Federal lands for sportsman is essential to my business so it was great to be able to discuss these issues with Dr. Benishek.”

To date, Dr. Dan has visited 40 businesses since his tour began on May 1st. He will be visiting Getz Department Store and Fox Motors, in Marquette, later today. To find out more about the Doctor’s “100 in 100” tour and his small business plan, visit Benishek2012.com.

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Traverse City, MI— Dr. Dan Benishek released the following statement regarding the one-year anniversary of his vote for H.R. 1657, a bill that would prohibit businesses from falsely advertising their company as being owned by a veteran:

“Our veterans bravely served our country. It is our job to take care of them when they return home. I worked at the VA Hospital in Iron Mountain for nearly 20 years. When I came to Congress, I chose to serve on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, so I could continue to honor and assist them.”

The challenges they face are steep—in the battlefields and at home. One year ago today I voted for HR 1657, a bill to prevent businesses from falsely presenting their company as owned by a veteran. This bill would protect our veterans from scams trying to play off of their heroism and duty to our country. It is unfortunate that the Senate has yet to take action. As the father of an Afghanistan War veteran, I know that we must continue to work on behalf of our veterans. That is why I have supported several pieces of legislation to help our veterans, including efforts to reduce the current benefits backlog problem. Just this week I introduced my plan to ‘break the backlog,’ which I hope will be a key tool in providing a better future for our veterans. Our veterans deserve nothing less.”

Traverse City— Dr. Dan Benishek marked National Small Business Week by continuing his “100 in 100” tour yesterday and visiting two businesses in Charlevoix and East Jordan. During the “100 in 100” tour, Dr. Dan will visit 100 small businesses in Northern Michigan in 100 days. He will meet with local business leaders to hear from them firsthand on how their concerns and how their businesses are being affected by Washington.

“During my ‘100 in 100’ tour I have keep hearing about how over regulation is hurting businesses in Northern Michigan,” said Dr. Dan in front of Bay Shore Steel Works. Michigan has several factories all of which have been threatened by an increase in Federal regulations. Washington does not understand the impact of increasing regulations, but the small businesses of Northern Michigan certainly do. They are unable to hire and grow because they are constantly worried about new costs due to these burdensome regulations.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Small Business Week, is an important reminder that we need to allow them to grow and hire in order for their success to spread throughout our communities,” added Dr. Dan.

On his 39th stop, Dr. Dan visited Bay Shore Steel Works, a producer of armored military vehicles.

“We were proud that Dr. Benishek stopped by and toured Bay Shore Steel Works and is a supporter of our efforts to support our military,” said John Thomas, Vice President of Bay Shore Steel Works. “Over regulation has hurt many of our business partners, and we are fearful of new regulations. Bay Shore Steel Works is glad to have Dr. Benishek fighting to protect Northern Michigan’s small businesses.”

To date, Dr. Dan has visited 39 businesses since his tour began on May 1st. To find out more about the Doctor’s “100 in 100” tour and his small business plan, visit Benishek2012.com.

Traverse City—Dr. Dan Benishek, a doctor for nearly 30 years, has dedicated himself to the fight to protect Medicare. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a non-partisan entity, has reported that the Medicare trust fund is not sustainable in its current form. Dr. Dan is working to ensure that Medicare will be available for future generations of American seniors without a reduction in coverage.

“As a doctor, I have treated seniors for nearly thirty years. I know how important Medicare is to Northern Michigan. I won’t support any measure that changes Medicare for retirees or those nearing retirement,,” said Dr. Dan. “We are a decade away from Medicare running out of money. Yet Washington does nothing but point fingers and play political games. That’s not what doctors do. I won’t ignore nor abandon the millions of Americans who have worked hard and depend on Medicare. I’m working to find solutions that will preserve and protect it for our seniors, and children and grandchildren.”

Dr. Dan has been meeting with seniors throughout the district as they share their concerns about Medicare. Marianne Abramson is one such senior from Traverse City.

“Dr. Dan brings a doctor’s experience to Washington. They need that. He understands Medicare needs to be strengthened, or it will be gone,” said Abramson. “And I’d rather have a doctor helping to fix it instead of leaving it up to all those politicians in Washington.”

To find out more about Dr. Dan’s position on strengthening Medicare visit Benishek2012.com.

Traverse City— Dr. Dan Benishek continued his “100 in 100” tour today by visiting three businesses in Manistee. During the “100 in 100” tour, Dr. Dan will visit 100 small businesses in Northern Michigan in 100 days. He’ll meet with local business leaders to hear from them first hand on how their concerns and how their businesses are being affected by Washington.

“During my ‘100 in 100’ tour, small business owners across the district are telling me the same thing—reduce regulation, repeal the health care law and simplify the tax code –to bring more certainty to the business community,” said Dr. Dan. “My opponent and this Administration will have you believe that the economic woes of our country are far too complex for the average American. That’s absurd! The solutions are simple. The less the Federal government is involved, the better for all small businesses.”

Today, Dr. Dan stopped by Daniel D. Laskey Company PC, an accounting firm, to talk with owner Dan Laskey. Laskey, stressed his concerns about the additional cost that big government has placed on his business.

“The Federal government is over involved in small businesses. Dr. Dan used to own his medical practice so he knows that bigger Federal government equals more cost and less profit,” said Laskey. “Dr. Dan and I agree that we need a limited Federal government that doesn’t trample individual rights, with healthcare mandates, over burdensome regulations and unreasonable taxes.”

To date, Dr. Dan has visited 35 businesses since his tour began on May 1st. To find out more about the Doctor’s “100 in 100” tour and his small business plan, visit Benishek2012.com.

Traverse City, MI— Dr. Dan Benishek released the following statement regarding the one-year anniversary of his vote for HR 1229: Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act:

“A year ago today I voted to put the country on the path towards energy independence. Yet, my opponent and the Washington Democrats claim they are for a quote, ‘all of the above energy’ plan.

“But a year later, they are stilling delaying efforts to drill for resources in the Gulf, as well as continuing to block the Keystone XL pipeline, blocking exploration in ANWR, and throwing out industry-killing regulations on coal – that will adversely impact our ability to use one of the country’s most abundant resources. Any way you look at it, their ‘all of the above’ approach’ amounts to little more that a campaign slogan.

“I am for a true ‘all of the above’ energy plan that doesn’t drive up energy cost by preventing Americans from utilizing our natural resources. With families and businesses continuing to feel the pain at the pump and electricity bills impacting everyone’s bottom line the time for Washington’s empty rhetoric has long since passed. I call on my opponent to join me – stand with Northern Michigan families and small businesses – to take steps towards pushing Washington to enact a comprehensive energy plan that increases production here at home, lessens our dependence on foreign sources and helps to create jobs.”

Traverse City – Dr. Dan Benishek officially opened his campaign headquarters in Traverse City today. In a joint celebration with the Traverse City MI GOP Victory Center, Dr. Dan spoke about his 100 small businesses in 100 days tour to a gathering of more than 60 people. During the “100 in 100” tour, Dr. Dan will visit 100 small businesses in Northern Michigan in 100 days to meet with local business leaders.

“Right now I’m amidst my 100 businesses in 100 days tour. I been around the district—Iron Mountain, Escanaba, Manistique, Petoskey and Charlevoix talking with business leaders about jobs,” said Dr. Dan. “Jobs, to me are issue number one. And I am committed to working hard to create policies that will help create jobs here in Northern Michigan.”

After speaking Dr. Dan mingled with the attendees, which included State Senator Howard Walker, State Rep. Wayne Schmidt and Secretary of State Ruth Johnson as well as local residence. The Doctor was well received by those in attendance who appreciated the chance to hear from and speak with the doctor in person.

“Dr. Dan is not some career politician who has gone to Washington and forgotten about the folks he represents,” said Anna Mouser, Grand Traverse GOP Chair. “It was great to have him here today—he is so down to earth and approachable. I have closely been following what Dr. Dan has done for Northern Michigan and really think that he is everything a Congressman should be.”

For the 2012 election Michigan’s first Congressional district has expanded to include Mason, Manistee, Benzie, Leelanau and Grand Traverse Counties. To find out more about the campaign and Dr. Dan’s “100 in 100” tour visit Benishek2012.com.