Dale Kildee

Dale Edward Kildee has been a Democratic member of the U. S. House of Representatives, representing Michigan's 5th Congressional district, since 1977.

Iraq War
Kildee voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Efforts to improve the Head Start act
On May 2, 2007, the House considered a bill (H.R.1429), sponsored by Rep. Kildee, aimed at enhancing cognitive, social and emotional development that supports growth in language, literacy, mathematics, science, physical skills and approaches to learning by reaching out to homeless, migrant, seasonal, Native American, and Native Alaskan populations.

The bill would create a panel to review grants to Head Start agencies and to monitor and measure performance including under-performing agencies and require improved training of Head Start teachers and personnel in early childhood development. The panel would also improve coordination with state schools and K-12 programs. By 2013, 50% of Head Start teachers would be required to have a bachelor degree in early childhood development and new hires would need at least an associate degree. Income qualifications for the program would also be eased to include those within 130% of the federal poverty level. Military housing would not be included in determining eligibility requirements. New efforts would include providing training in parenting skills and, unless the exam is intrusive, parents would not need to give permission for examining a sick child.

An amendment to the measure was offered which would allow faith-based organizations to participate in the program and hire only those of the same faith for such endeavors. The amendment was defeated.

The final bill passed, 365-48.

Rep. Mark Foley page scandal
During the 109th Congress, Kildee served as the lone Democrat on the Page Committee, which oversees the program by which dozens of teenagers work on Capitol Hill each year assisting in the administrative tasks of Congress. In 2006, the head of the Page Board, Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.), failed to notify Kildee of concerning emails sent by Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) to a teenage page. When the emails, along with sexually suggestive instant messages sent by Foley to pages, were made public in late September 2006, Kildee publicly stated his displeasure that he was not notified.


 * Read a full account of the Mark Foley page scandal

Bio
Born September 16, 1929 in Flint, Michigan, Kildee earned his Bachelor of Arts from Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit in 1952. He earned a teacher's certificate from the University of Detroitin 1955. He did graduate work in history and political science at the University of Peshawar in Pakistan from 1958 to 1959 under a Rotary Foundation Fellowship. He earned an Master's degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1961.

Prior to entering politics, Kildee was a teacher at University of Detroit High School from 1954-56 and at Flint Central High School from 1956-64.

Kildee served as a member of the Michigan state house of representatives from the 81st District from 1965-1974. He later served as a member of the Michigan state senate from the 29th District from 1975-77. He resigned in 1977 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Eric John Klammer to face Kildee in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)  Kildee retained his seat.

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Education and Labor
 * Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education -Chair
 * Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
 * House Committee on Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans
 * Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Education and the Workforce
 * Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations
 * House Committee on Resources
 * Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health
 * Subcommittee on National Parks Recreation and Public Lands

External references

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Congressional Bio
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Michigan Liberal 5th CD Section