Pelosi Statement on Passing of Former Congressman Dale Kildee

Statement

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on the passing of former Congressman Dale Kildee:

"Today, Congress and the Country join the people of Michigan in mourning the sad loss of a leader who embodied the noble spirit of public service. As an educator, a state legislator and a Congressman, Dale Kildee lifted up the students and families of his beloved hometown of Flint for nearly six decades. Personally, I had the great privilege of serving alongside Dale in the House for more than a quarter century, where I witnessed first-hand his devotion to service, legendary work ethic and extraordinary humility and kindness.

"It is fitting that Dale began his storied career in public service as a teacher, lifting up high school students in Detroit and Flint with his gentle nature and passion for education. When he came to Congress, he was a tireless champion for our students on the Education and Labor Committee: leading the charge to reform No Child Left Behind, securing funding for Pell grants and Head Start initiatives, and more. Indeed, every Member who had the honor of working with Dale was in awe of how hard he worked -- from the well of the House, where he rarely missed a vote, to the communities of his childhood hometown. And he never forgot our responsibility to extend opportunity to all Americans, helping establish the Native American Caucus to ensure that Native voices were heard in the halls of Congress.

"A devout Catholic, Dale devoted his entire life to living up to our most sacred calling: to serve others, advance justice and pursue peace. Today, his proud legacy lives on -- not only through his nephew, Dan, who proudly continues the Kildee tradition of service to Michigan's 5th, but in the hearts of every Member fortunate enough to call him a colleague and friend. May it be a comfort to his dear wife Gayle, his loving children, Paul, David and Laura, his darling grandchildren and the entire Kildee family that so many join them in mourning their loss on this sad day."

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