Kildee
Frances Willson Thompson Library
Genesee Historical Collections Center
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