South Bend Airport - October 28, 2006

Representative John Conyers, Jr., a Detroit Democrat, was re-elected to the 14th Congressional District in November 2004, to his 20 term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The district covers all of Highland Park and Hamtramck, as well as large portions of Detroit and Dearborn. Due to the Congressional redistricting of 2000 Representative Conyers also now represents the Down River communities of Melvindale, Allen Park, Southgate, Riverview, Trenton,Gibraltar, and Grosse  

Fighting for Michigan's Working Families

Representative Conyers has spent his entire career fighting for Michigan's working families. As a supporter of the UAW, Congressman Conyers is well aware of the struggles that affect working families. With families facing skyrocketing health care costs, rising unemployment and an outdated minimum wage, Conyers continues to fight for equal pay for women and minorities, a raise in the minimum wage, and full employment for all Americans. He opposes the Bush Administration's attempts to roll back worker safety standards, the elimination of overtime in favor of flex-time, and efforts to undermine workers' collective bargaining rights in both the public and private sectors. Currently, Mr. Conyers is working on legislation that Would protect workers' pensions and health care in cases of bankruptcy such as those involving Enron, Worldcom, and National Steel.

Congressman Conyers and candidate Jess Minks, 11th District County Commission

Working for Quality, Affordable Healthcare

For more than three decades, Congressman Conyers has led efforts in Congress to reform the health care system. He is the founder and chairman of the Congressional Universal Health Care Task Force, a 45 member caucus whose mission is to pass universal health care legislation by 2005. This legislation would guarantee every American access to affordable, comprehensive, quality health care. The caucus introduced House Concurrent Resolution 99, which has the support of over 450 grassroots organizations across the country, and dozens of Members of Congress. He recently introduced the United States National Health Insurance Act, H.R. 676, a Medicare For All Single Payer bill which has the endorsement of over 4000 physicians nationally. Further, Representative Conyers introduced the Resident Physician Safety Protection Act in order to reduce the hours that resident physicians work, so they can perform at optimal levels. The American Medical Association and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education have adopted major provisions of the bill.

Congressman Conyers and candidate Jess Minks, 11th District County Commission, conversing outside South Bend Airport

Tuesday night the Berrien County Record (Buchanan's Newspaper) hosted a debate between the challengers for the 11th County Commissioner race -- Jess Minks and the Don Ryman.

From the beginning Mr. Ryman appeared tired, as if he would have preferred to have been home rather than meeting the voters. He benefited from his in-sider knowledge of county business, but he came off as rather complacent and callous. Mr. Minks, on the other hand, displayed enthusiasm and talked of a do-something approach to the problems of our county. He reminded one of a Franklin D. Roosevelt: "It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something." Mr. Minks kept stressing that a county commissioner had the responsibility to try to find solutions to the basic problems of our county -- job growth, improving county roads, and mass transit. Mr. Ryman kept nay saying every idea, saying that the solutions to these problems were beyond our county government -- "that will raise taxes" or "that won't work" because of some study (that he did not identify or provide a copy of). Yet, Mr. Ryman made no, zero, zip recommendations at reducing unemployment here in the 11th District or for economic growth here in the 11th District. Business as usual -- do nothing!

Mr. Minks kept speaking of the future -- future jobs or future economic growth. Mr. Ryman kept speaking of past achievements -- it was almost as if he was lost in the 1960's.

Mr. Minks stated he would work tirelessly in finding solutions and by seeking out input from the voters and other local governments. He would take an active role in helping local governments. For example, he would like to see some of the money paid-out on cleaning up county "brownfields" spent here in the 11th District, perhaps on the old Clark property or Electro-Voice property. Mr. Ryman countered that some money was spent here -- cleaning up a mushroom plant (which I don't believe was located in the 11th District, but south of Niles).

Mr. Minks said that he would be available, accessible, and accountable to the voters of the 11th District; Mr. Ryman said he didn't see the need of reaching out to the voters, but they could call him if they wanted to. Mr. Minks said he was committed to crisis management and long term solutions to the problems facing Berrien County. For example, he has become certified as a Federal Emergency Management Agent. Thus, Mr. Minks has shown initiative in dealing with potential disasters; Mr. Ryman seems to be too busy.

Mr. Ryman seemed callous at the plight of the unemployed. He said that 400 jobs will be created in the north end of the county and our people could "easily" drive up there. Like many affluent Republicans, he fails to realize that many of our unemployed are without the means to drive so far.

At one point in the debate, Mr. Ryman blew it and lost control. He became quite upset and the debate had to be stopped for five minutes for him to regain his composure. When the proceedings resumed, he failed to apologize for his poor behavior to either the audience or to his opponent. It has been said that when we age we become more childlike and it seems true of Mr. Ryman. When Mr. Minks offered reasonable solutions to county problems, Ryman threw a temper-tantrum. His behavior was not appropriate for a county commissioner and his display confirms that he is not fit to serve.

Flags Fly in Buchanan and Galien Front Yards

July 4, 2006

Residents of Buchanan and Galien awoke to a patriotic surprise this morning, July 4th, when they discovered their front yards adorned with American flags that seemed to have appeared magically overnight. The gift was the work of 27 volunteers working for the Committee to Elect Jess Minks. Volunteers started the project as early as 2:00 A.M. and worked in nine teams, finishing up before 7:00 A.M.

The project evolved from a discussion Jess had with a group of citizens and Berrien County military personnel interested in finding a way to show Buchanan's and Galien's patriotism and support for our troops.

Jess is the Democratic candidate for the Berrien County Commission (11th District).