ICYMI: Senator Peters Leads 10th and Final Motorcycle Tour Across Michigan

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) led his 10 th and final official motorcycle tour across Michigan to meet with local leaders and constituents, highlight success stories in Michigan communities, and show his appreciation for the essential partnerships he’s made in every corner of the state. Peters’ “Thank You, Michigan” tour made stops in Bay City, Alpena, Marquette, Traverse City, Grand Rapids, and East Lansing. Peters was joined on the tour by veterans, union workers, and constituents. Peters is an avid and long-time motorcycle rider who founded the bipartisan Senate Motorcycle Caucus in 2017 . ABC12 Flint: Senator Gary Peters highlights federal funding during motorcycle tour “U.S. Senator Gary Peters kicked off his annual motorcycle tour across Michigan at Bay City Fire Department Station #2, where he saw how federal funding he secured will help clean up toxic PFAS contamination on the property. “During his visit, Peters also highlighted an additional $1.3 million federal grant he secured, funded by his bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act . The grant enabled the Bay City, Midland and Saginaw fire departments to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatus, which allow firefighters to breathe safely during dangerous rescues. “‘Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities,’ Peters said. ‘We have a responsibility to make sure they have the tools and resources they need to stay safe on the job.’ “Peters continued, saying hazardous PFAS chemicals from firefighting foams have posed serious health risks to firefighters for years. “‘I was proud to secure nearly $1 million to help Bay City clean up this site and protect the brave firefighters who serve this community,’ Peters said.” The Alpena News: Peters visits NOAA in Alpena during farewell tour “U.S. Senator Gary Peters, D-Michigan, visited the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS) on Tuesday as part of his motorcycle farewell tour across Michigan. Peters started the tour in Bay City on Monday and will conclude the tour in East Lansing on Friday. “The five-day ‘Thank You, Michigan’ tour will make stops in Bay City, Alpena, Marquette, Traverse City, Grand Rapids, and East Lansing. Throughout the tour, Peters will be joined on the ride by veterans, union workers, motorcycle safety advocates, and constituents. “While at TBNMS, Peters reminisced with TBNMS employees regarding his diving experiences in the sanctuary. He also spoke about the importance of re-authorizing the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), which allocates federal tax dollars to the restoration of the Great Lakes. “‘The authorization of it ends this year,’ he said while giving remarks at TBNMS. ‘I’m the primary sponsor of the bill to extend it for five more years. I'll be leaving in a few months. I've said this is my number one priority. We got to get this done before I leave.’ “According to the federal Great Lakes Restoration website, federal agencies have funded over 8,000 projects for over $4 billion. The GLRI was launched in 2010 as a nonregulatory program to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes. “‘My colleagues from around the country are now realizing how important the Great Lakes are for the country,’ he said. ‘The Great Lakes is not just a regional asset.’ “‘Folks now understand that the Great Lakes is a national resource,’ he added. ‘In a very thirsty world, having a body of freshwater here is incredibly important. I'm cautiously optimistic we're going to get that done.’ “Peters told The News that the bill is making ‘headway’ in Congress.” MyUPNews Marquette: Senator Peters tours new D.J. Jacobetti construction site “U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) toured the new D.J. Jacobetti construction site on Wednesday morning as part of his final motorcycle tour across Michigan. “The 38-acre property along Venture Drive will include a facility that will house 108 private bedrooms and handicap-accessible bathrooms for veterans. Funding for the project costs about $57.6 million, which Peters secured through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) State Home Construction Grant Program. “‘This dream doesn’t become a reality without the support from our legislative officials from the state and federal level. Senator Peters being a champion for many years for the State Veteran Construction Grant Program and then having the backing here locally in Michigan,’ said Chris LaJoie, interim administrator of Michigan Veteran Homes D.J. Jacobetti. “Peters, who currently serves on the bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee, said that he’s working to ensure that the grant program receives as much funding as possible to continue supporting veteran needs. “‘It’s absolutely essential that we take care of our veterans. To me, I think that’s a sacred obligation that every American has. The men and women who are willing to go into harm’s way to protect our freedoms and liberties really deserve and have earned the ability to be able to retire with dignity,’ he explained. ‘That’s what this is about, is making sure that there are housing (units) available for veterans so that they can go someplace, get the kind of care that they need, and live the life that they have earned.’” UpNorthLive Traverse City: FishPass project stays on track for 2027 as Sen. Peters tours Traverse City site “U.S. Senator Gary Peters hopped on his motorcycle for his last state tour, stopping Thursday to see a project he helped fund. “Peters got to see firsthand how the FishPass construction project was coming along. Peters recently secured $22.7 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding, which helped make FishPass possible. “It replaces the Union Street dam and will reconnect the Boardman/Ottaway River with Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay. “‘That we're seeing here in Traverse City with this FishPass and the ability to allow really native species of Great Lakes fish to get up into the tributaries while keeping out invasive species that are playing havoc with our ecosystem,’ said Peters. ‘To be able to put that in place is absolutely incredible. And to think that we’re likely to see what we see here in Traverse City will be the way the future works in projects all over the world.’” “FishPass workers said the FishPass construction is still on schedule, with 2027 the expected completion date.” WXMI Grand Rapids: Sen. Peters tours Humane Society of West Michigan, talks PAWS Act “As part of his annual motorcycle tour across the state, Michigan Sen. Gary Peters stopped at the Humane Society of West Michigan on Friday to discuss the Pet and Women's Safety (PAWS) Act. “‘A beloved pet is every bit a part of the family,’ Peters said. ‘To have a pet is a very special relationship.’ “The PAWS Act, written by Sen. Peters, provides funding to the shelters and programs that take in the pets of those fleeing from domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or dating violence. “At the Humane Society of West Michigan, a program called PETS Network accepts pets affected by such situations. It's the type of program that can seek assistance from the PAWS Act and benefit from a senator's platform. “‘We're one of a few in Michigan who offer anything like this, and so bringing light to this is so important, and foster families are so important,’ Ashley Dahl, Director of Community Programs for the Humane Society of West Michigan, said. “Dahl says PETS Network has served around 200 pets over five years and comes at no cost to their owners. “‘We can only help when we have foster families. So, if there's anybody out there that's leaning towards trying it or wanting to help, we can help more people if they're willing,’ Dahl said. “In 2023, funding for the PAWS Act expired. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, though, Sen. Peters has been able to secure funding for the program on a yearly basis. He is now working to reauthorize the program at $3 million for the next four years. “Colleen Nestle says she ‘can't put into words’ the importance of the legislation. “Years ago, when she left an abusive relationship, she was forced to give up one of her pets. Through PETS Network, she now fosters the pets of those in similar situations. “‘I've been on the other side,’ Nestle said. ‘So, if I can help even just one person that has been in my shoes, that is so worth it to me.’ WWMT Kalamazoo: Sen. Gary Peters makes final stops on last 'Thank You, Michigan' tour “Outgoing U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) made the final stops on his last-ever ‘Thank You, Michigan’ motorcycle tour that has crossed the state for the last decade. “One of those stops was at Grand Rapids Community College, where Peters toured the Automation Lab, an innovative learning space with up-to-date manufacturing and automation equipment and technology. “Peters secured nearly $1 million for the lab's construction to create workforce development and hands-on training. “The Democrat Senator had a chance to see the equipment up close and learn how it is helping create jobs in Michigan. “‘I don't think you can be a great country unless you actually make things,’ Peters said. ‘That's what we do in Michigan. We have a very proud tradition of making things. But the factory floor and manufacturing looks a whole lot different than your father or grandfather. And it's high tech, it's exciting work, and we would need more young folks interested in getting a manufacturing career.’” WLNS Lansing: Gary Peters stops at MSU’s rare isotopes lab on final Michigan motorcycle tour “U.S. Sen. Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township toured Michigan State University’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams on Friday and highlighted the more than $2 billion federal investment he says he helped secure for the lab, a stop on the final motorcycle tour of his Senate career. “Peters, who is not seeking reelection in 2026, visited the facility with MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz, FRIB Laboratory Director Thomas Glasmacher and physics professor Artemis Spyrou as part of his 10th and last annual ride across the state. The four spoke at a news conference following the tour. “‘So, when you talk about why we invest in higher education, why do we invest in research universities, it’s those stories, those breakthroughs that make our lives better, and make our lives fuller, and can happen right here,’ Peters said. “FRIB, which opened in 2022, employs about 460 scientists, engineers and staff, and draws more than 1,800 researchers to East Lansing, according to Peters’ office. “The lab houses what Peters’ office describes as the most powerful heavy-ion linear accelerator, which produces rare isotopes — short-lived atomic nuclei not found on Earth.” ###