U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz, R-Battle Creek, and President Mary Sue Coleman told a U-M alumni audience that Michigan must do more to help public higher education.

At the annual U-M Congressional Breakfast in Washington, D.C., March 16, Schwarz said he plans to testify this week before the Michigan Legislature in support of new revenue to help strengthen higher education.

The freshman lawmaker, who also is chairman-elect of the Alumni Association, said “the future success of Michigan’s young people and our state institutions of higher learning depends upon strong and appropriate funding.”

Coleman also addressed the audience of 300 alumni, members of Congress and staff, and other friends of the University. In her remarks, she talked about the need to fund federal research at universities to deal with the rising tide of competition facing the American economy.

“We must work closely with our federal and state policymakers to ensure we are investing in the kinds of research, such as technology and the life sciences, that will fuel our country’s future economic growth,” Coleman said. “Foreign competitors such as China and India are ramping up their investments in everything from research to the production of scientists. Five countries now spend more on research as a percentage of GDP than America does.”

Other members of Congress attending the event included Reps. Dale Kildee, D-Flint; Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph; John Dingell, D-Dearborn; John Conyers, D-Detroit; Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township; and Mark Kennedy, R-Minn.,
a U-M business school graduate.