On Thursday, February 1, Shamrock seniors taking Economics and American Government classes attended an open discussion with speaker Congressman Dave Camp about a wide range of key economic, fiscal, and professional topics. 

Congressman Camp served in the United States House of Representatives-MI from 1991 until 2015. In 2014, he announced that he would not run for reelection.

When asked about what it’s like to be in the public spotlight and how he handled criticism, Congressman Chair stated he used to take it to heart but he had to learn how to stay positive and continue to believe in himself without letting negativity stop him from achieving his goals. 

“I believe in the power of prayer. It’s helped me through tough times. One thing I do before I go to bed is think of something good that happened that day, whether it was someone who let me merge on the highway or something small. It’s a good way to end your day and put yourself in a positive mindframe before you go to bed,” Congressman Camp stated. 

Congressman Camp grew up in Midland and graduated from H.H. Dow High School in 1971. He attended the University of Sussex, Brighton, England from 1973 to 1974 and later earned his B.A. from Albion College in 1975. He graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1978.

Since then, Congressman Camp has had an extensive legal career as a lawyer and congressman, serving on the US House Committee on Ways and Means from 1993 to 2015 where he worked on international trade, adoption, fiscal policy, social security, and tax reform. As Committee Chairman from 2011 to 2015, he introduced the most comprehensive tax reform proposal since the mid-1980’s, the Tax Reform Act of 2014.

He ran a law practice in Midland, Michigan from 1979 to 1991, and has been a member of the State Bars of Michigan and California, the District of Columbia Bar, the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court, the American Bar Association, the Eastern District of Michigan and Southern District of California, and the Midland County Bar Association.

Congressman Camp was also the Special Assistant Attorney General, administrative assistant to Congressman Bill Schuette, State Representative of the 102nd District in Michigan, and a member of the Rural Health Care Coalition and the Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee.

He has received several awards and recognitions during his career, including being inducted into the Adoption Hall of Fame in 1998 and 2001. He also received the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Golden Plow Award in 1998.

During his visit to CC, Congressman Camp was accompanied by Congressman Kevin Brady, who served in the United States House of Representatives-TX from 1997 until 2023. On Wednesday, January 31, the day before speaking to students, Congressman Camp and Congressman Brady had lunch with a few students in Catholic Central’s board room.

“Believe in what you stand for. What I’ve lived by is, regardless of who you are, your title, power, whatever, treat everyone with respect. Treat people you would want to be treated. That’s always served me well,” Congressman Camp concluded.