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MENOMINEE -- For eighteen years, Congressman Bart Stupak has represented Michigan's 1st District.  His time is almost up, though.  So maybe it's a good time to take a look at the legacy he's leaving us.

From protecting Michigan's greatest fresh water resources to transforming a local shipyard into a growing industry, Congressman Stupak feels he's made a contribution to the 1st District.

Recently, TV6 sat down with the Congressman one last time before he leaves office.  Stupak says when he was elected back in 1992, Marinette Marine only had about 40 employees, but now there are over 1,200, thanks in large part to Navy contracts for the construction of Littoral Combat Ships, contracts that Stupak helped obtain.

"That certainly has been a big project and not just in Menominee and Marinette, but there are contractors throughout the Upper Peninsula--at least 50 of them--that are working right now on the LCS, so I mean ship building was one that did extremely well in this area that's helped out our whole economy across the U.P," explained Stupak.

But Stupak feels his efforts have extended beyond the shore to the Great Lakes, themselves.  From banning oil drilling to preventing pollution, protecting the lakes was a major goal for Stupak.

"I think I'm probably better known in the district and throughout Michigan as the guardian of the Great Lakes," Stupak said.

But who could forget the sometimes ugly turmoil of the health care debate.  While some of his critics feel it's Stupak's biggest failure, he feels it's his greatest accomplishment...something he strived for throughout his 18 years in Congress. 

"From a point of legislation that affects every American, it's the Health Care bill.  There's no doubt about that," Stupak explained.  "It went through the Energy and Commerce committee.  Of course, we played a key role in passing it across the finish line.  And that will probably go down as my greatest legislative accomplishment, not just me, myself, but everyone that worked on it.  But, I mean, we had a very significant role in providing health care for all Americans."

But getting the bill passed took a heavy toll on Congressman Stupak both in and outside of the Capital.  We'll have more on the second part of our series, "Bart Stupak:  Reflections on a career in Congress," which airs on your TV6 Early News on Thursday.