University of Michigan-Flint

Name of the collection:  Dale Kildee
Inclusive years:  1947 [bulk 1964]-1976
Quantity:  8 linear ft.
Acquisition:  Congressman Dale Kildee (donor no. 193) donated his papers in June, 1989.
Access:  There are no restrictions on access.
Photographs:  Twelve photographs were removed from the collection and cataloged separately.
Processed by:  Paul Gifford, April 1990.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

1929, September 16.  Born at Flint, Michigan, son of Timothy Kildee.
Education:  Graduate, St. Mary's High School; B.A., Sacred Heart Seminary; teacher's certificate, University of Detroit; M.A., University of Michigan; graduate studies in history and political science at the University of Peshawar, Pakistan.
1954-1956.  Teacher, University of Detroit High School.
1956.  Volunteer in Adlai Stevenson's presidential campaign.
1956-1964.  Teacher, Flint Central High School.
1960.  Volunteer in John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign.
1961.  Vice-president, East Side Democratic Club.
1964-1974.  State Representative from the 81st District.  Sponsored, among others, bills which licensed hearing aid dealers, raised the minimum wage from $1.25 to $1.60, and permitted consecutive sentences.  Committees included:  Federal Relations, Judiciary, State Affairs, State Library, and Public Health.  Member of Intergovernmental Cooperation Commission.
1968.  Delegate to the Democratic national convention as a supporter of Eugene McCarthy.
1973-1976.  Member, Joint Subcommittee on Computers and Data Processing.
1975-1976.  State Senator from the 29th District.  Member of the Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee.
1977-    .  U.S. Congressman from the 7th Congressional District.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

This collection reflects Dale Kildee's activity as a Michigan state representative and state senator from 1964 to 1976.  The bulk of it consists of letters from constituents, but it also contains letters from Democratic Party officials, officials of various state agencies, union officials, and others.  The original order of the collection has been maintained when possible, although much of it was in disarray when it was received, and the original order, if any, was hard to discern.

It appears that many files with topics and personal names beginning with the letters "A" through "P," dated after 1970, are missing.  However, because of their disarray at the time of deposit, it is difficult to determine exactly what was lost.  Personal files----those containing requests for assistance or information of a personal nature----were not accessioned.  The condition of the material is good, except for many of the Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee files, which suffered water damage at some point.

The series "Correspondence" contains in-coming letters from constituents in Kildee's district and voters elsewhere in Michigan, as well as Kildee's carbon copies of responses.  Arrangement of the files is by year and then chronologically or alphabetically by first letter of the correspondent's surname.  This series contains letters attempting to influence Kildee's position on issues both of wide public interest, such as "parochiaid," and of limited or little interest, such as the establishment of an osteopathic medical school in the state or regulating hearing-aid dealers.

As one of the legislature's few teachers, Dale Kildee paid particular attention to issues relating to education.  He advocated state aid to parochial and private schools, an issue which dominated his mail from 1967 to 1970.  His constituents were divided and emotional on this issue.  He was concerned with adequate retirement benefits for teachers, and he received mail from teachers and educational organizations statewide on this issue.  For other issues reflected by the correspondence in this series, see the folder list.  Topics in the "Correspondence" series are largely the same as those in the "Topical" series.

The "Topical" series, 1964 to 1976, consists of folders containing correspondence and information on particular topics.  The description "topical" is somewhat misleading, since many of the folders mainly contain in-coming correspondence.  These letters, however, tend to be from influential political bodies----the United Auto Workers and other labor unions, Democratic Party officials----or lobbyists or from school districts and other bodies particularly affected by pending legislation.  Also included in this series are newspaper clippings, press releases, and invitations to speak before certain groups.  Those files labeled "legislative reports" or "progress reports" contain mailings to constituents giving news of, and soliciting views on recent legislation.  The "Federal relations" files from 1965 and 1966 document the activity of the House Federal Relations Committee.

The Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee files document the subcommittee's activity for the 1975-1976 legislative session.  This important body made recommendations on proposals from state-funded bodies regarding land acquisition and construction of buildings.  The files usually include agenda and minutes of the meetings, plus supporting material, such as letters from executives of the state-funded bodies and architects' plans.  Few of the proposals concern affairs in Flint or Genesee County.  The exceptions are the campus plan of the University of Michigan-Flint; expansion of Flint General Hospital; and Mott Community College's purchase of the old Sears, Roebuck and Company's store as an automotive technology facility.

Although most of the material in this collection, by definition, relates to pending state legislation, there is some material on national issues.  The files concerning the Vietnam War, for example, contain newsletters and correspondence from Flint anti-war groups.  The correspondence series  from August through October, 1968 contain letters of support for Sen. Eugene McCarthy, whom Rep. Kildee pledged to support at the Democratic national convention.

The file labeled "University of Michigan," in the Topical series from 1965, concerns the development of the University of Michigan-Flint.  Among several proposals being discussed at the time was that of Rep. Kildee, who suggested that the school be independent of the University of Michigan.

There is other material of local interest.  The files of newspaper clippings and invitations and speaking engagements document his campaigns and Democratic Party politics in Flint.  Letters from constituents frequently address issues of concern to their communities.
 

FOLDER LIST
 

BOX 1
PERSONAL, 1947-1963
CORRESPONDENCE, 1965-1976
        1965 (by month)
                January
                February
                March
                April
                May
                June
                July-August
                September
                October
                November
                December
        1966 (by form)
                Form-letter responses
                Mailings to constituents
        1966 (by first letter of correspondent's surname)
                A
                B
                C
                D
                E-F
                G
                H
                I-J-K
                L-M
                N-O-P
                R-S
                T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z
        1967 (by form)
                Form-letter responses
                Mailings to constituents
        1967 (by first letter of correspondent's surname)
                 A-B
                C-D
                 E-F-G
                H-I-J
                K-L-M
                N-O-P-R
                S-T
                V-W-Y-Z
        1968 (by form)
                Form-letter responses
        1968 (by month)
                January
                February

BOX 2
                March
                        (1 of  2)
                        (2 of 2)
                April
                May
                June
                        (1 of 2)
                        (2 of 2)
                July
                August
                September
                October
                November
                December
        1969 (by form)
                Form-letter responses
                Scholarships
        1969 (by month)
                January
                February
                March
                April
                May
                June
                July
                August
                September
                October
                November
                December
        1970 (by form or subject)
                Form-letter responses
                Teacher retirement
                War in Southeast Asia - replies from Congressmen
        1970 (by first letter of correspondent's surname)
                A-B
                C-D
                E-F-G
                H-I-J
                K-L
                M-N
                O-P-Q
                R
                S
                T-U

BOX 3
                V-W-X-Y-Z
        1971 (by form or subject)
                Form-letter responses
                Scholarships
                Teacher retirement
        1971 (by first letter of correspondent's surname)
                A-B
                C-D
                E-F-G
                H-I-J
                K-L
                M-N
                O-P-Q
                R
                S
                T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z
        1972 (by form or content)
                Form-letter responses
                Scholarships
                Teacher retirement
        1972  (by first letter of correspondent's surname)
                A-B
                C-D
                E-F-G
                H-I-J
                K-L
                M-N
                O-P-Q
                R
                S
                T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z
        1973
                Form-letter responses
                General
                Riegle, Donald
                Scholarships
                Teacher retirement
        1974
                Form-letter responses
                General
                Riegle, Donald
                Scholarships

BOX 4
                Teacher retirement
                        (1 of  2)
                        (2 of 2)
        1975
                Adult education cuts
                        (1 of 3)
                        (2 of 3)
                        (3 of 3)
                General
                Saginaw Valley College
                Scholarships
                Teacher retirement
                Teacher strikes
                Telegrams
        1976
                General
                Scholarships
                Teacher retirement

TOPICAL, 1964-1976
        1964 - Newspaper clippings
        1965
                Education
                Federal relations
                Fort Custer Study Committee
                Legislation - general
                Miscellaneous
                Newspaper clippings
                Press releases
                Progress reports
                Public hearing on Economic Opportunity Act
                University of Michigan
        1966
                Education
                Election recounts
                Federal relations
                Hearing aid dealers
                Invitations
                Miscellaneous
                Newspaper clippings
                Osteopathic colleges
                Packaging
                Press releases
                State highways
                Taxes
        1967
                Daylight time
                Democratic Caucus
                Dental technicians
                Education
                Invitations and speaking engagements
                Legislative reports
                Memoranda
                Miscellaneous
                Newspaper clippings

BOX 5
                Osteopaths
                Press releases
                Public health
                Scholarships
                Taxes
                Vietnam
                Water
        1968
                Ad Hoc Committee on Flint School Problems
                Aid to non-public education
                Newspaper clippings
                Open housing
                Press releases
                Scholarships
                Senior citizens' tax exemption
                Speaking engagements and information
                Special Committee on Transplants of Human Body Parts
                UAW
                Veterans
        1969
                Aid to non-public education
                Legislative newsletters
                Medicaid
                Miscellaneous
                Newspaper clippings
                Opinions, etc.
                Patronage
                Project SEED
                Public safety and defense
                Senior citizens
                Taxes
                UAW
                University of Michigan
                Usury
                Veterans
        1970
                Aid to non-public education
                Legislative candidates
                Newspaper clippings
                Press releases
                Project SEED
                Questionnaires
                UAW
                Urban Data Coordinating Program
        1971
                AFL-CIO
                Education
                Eye care
                Newspaper clippings
                Osteopathic school
                Project SEED
                Questionnaires
                Schools - state aid
                Teacher retirement
                UAW
        1972
                Day training programs
                Environment
                Legislative candidates
                Newspaper clippings
                Senior citizens
                Teacher retirement
                UAW
                Veterans

BOX 6
        1973
                Miscellaneous
                Peace education bill
                Questionnaires
                Senior citizens
                Teacher contract negotiations
                Teacher retirement
                Tenants' rights
                UAW
                Veterans
                War in Vietnam
        1974
                Mass transportation
                Newspaper clippings
                Press releases
                Project SEED
                Questionnaires
                Senior citizens
                Teacher retirement
                UAW
                Veterans
        1975
                Miscellaneous
                Project SEED
                Questionnaires
                Senior citizens
                Teacher strikes
                UAW
                Veterans
        1976
                Democratic Study Group positions
                Equal Rights Amendment
                Newspaper clippings
                Questionnaires
                Senior citizens
                University of Michigan
                Veterans
JOINT CAPITAL OUTLAY SUBCOMMITTEE, 1974-1976
        1974
                Capital Outlay manual
                Flint General Hospital
                        (1 of 2)
                        (2 of 2)
                University of Michigan-Flint
                        Campus plan
                        Central heating and cooling plant
                        Classroom-office building

        1975
                Project report, Feb. 4, 1975
                Meetings
                        No. 2 (Jan. 29, 1975)
                        No. 3 (Feb. 6, 1975)
                        No. 4 (Feb. 13, 1975)
                        No. 5 (Feb. 20, 1975)
                        No. 6 (Feb. 27, 1975)
                        No. 7 (Mar. 6, 1975)

BOX 7
                       No. 8 (Mar. 13,1975)
                        No. 9 (Mar. 20, 1975)
                        No. 10 (Mar. 25,1975)
                        No. 11 (Apr. 10, 1975)
                        No. 12 (Apr. 17, 1975)
                        No. 13 (Apr. 24, 1975)
                        No. 14 (May 1, 1975)
                        No. 15 (May 7, 1975)
                        No. 17 (May 22, 1975)
                        No. 18 (May 29, 1975)
                        No. 19 (June 5, 1975)
                        No. 20 (June 12, 1975)
                        No. 21 (June 19, 1975)
                        No. 22 (June 26, 1975)
                        No. 23 (July 10, 1975)
                        No. 24 (July 17, 1975)
                        No. 25 (July 24, 1975)
                        No. 26 (July 31, 1975)
                        No. 27 (Aug. 7, 1975, and Sept. 11, 1975)
                        No. 28 (Oct. 16,1975)
                        No. 29 (Oct. 23, 1975)
                        No. 30 (Oct. 30, 1975)
                        No. 31 (Nov. 6, 1975)
                        No. 32 (Dec. 4, 1975)
                        No. 33 (Dec. 11, 1975)
                  Architects
                        (1 of 2)
                        (2 of 2)
                  Flint General Hospital
                  House Bill 4277
                  Miscellaneous
                  Mott Community College automotive technology facility

BOX 8
                  Piquette Armory
                  Project plans - miscellaneous
         1976
                  Meetings
                        No. 1 (Feb. 5, 1976)
                        No. 3 (Feb. 19, 1976)
                        No. 4 (Mar. 25, 1976)
                        No. 5 (Apr. 1, 1976)
                        No. 6 (Apr. 8, 1976)
                        No. 7 (Apr. 29, 1976)
                        No. 8 (May 13, 1976)
                        No. 9 (June 3, 1976)
                        No. 10 (June 10, 1976)
                        No. 11 (June 23, 1976)
                        No. 12 (July 1, 1976)
                        No. 13 (Sept. 16, 1976)
                        No. 14 (Sept. 30, 1976)
                Miscellaneous
                Project plans - miscellaneous
JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMPUTERS AND DATA PROCESSING, 1973-1976
        1973
                (1 of 2)
                (2 of 2)
                Sperry Univac seminar, Nov. 4, 1973
        1974
                (1 of 2)
                (2 of 2)
        1975 - Minutes and memoranda
        1976
RESOLUTIONS INTRODUCED BY KILDEE
        House
                No. 73.  Memorial to F. A. Bower, Mar. 31, 1971
                No. 232.  Memorial to Alfred J. Walker, Sept. 9, 1971
                No. 524.  Honoring Joseph T. Ryder, June 30, 1972
                No. 60.  Memorial for Charles Stewart Mott, Feb. 21, 1973
                No. 114.  Tribute to Genesee Community College, May 11- May 23, 1973
                No. 118.  Tribute to Rt. Rev. Alexander Znamensky, May 3, 1973
                No. 265.  Tribute to Anne M. Gregory, Feb. 8, 1974
                No. 276.  Tribute to Olive R. Beasley, Feb. 21, 1974
                No. 286.  Tribute to Walter G. Krapohl, Mar. 14, 1974
                No. 427.  Tribute to John Pugh, Sept. 26, 1974
        Senate
                No. 30.  Tribute to Paul C. Zieske, Feb. 13, 1975
                No. 228.  Memorial for William M. Gallagher, Oct. 13, 1975
                No. 274.  Tribute to Otisville Jaycees, Oct. 23, 1975
                No. 311.  Tribute to Dr. Gerald Murphy and the crew of Golden Dazy, Dec. 4, 1975
                No. 476.  Tribute to Hilario Perez, May 27, 1976
                No. 478.  Tribute to Dr. Ronald Chen, June 30, 1976