Dale Kildee

Kildee Statement on the Passing of Elouise Cobell

2011-10-17T20:55:14Z

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), Democratic Chairman of the House Native American Caucus released the following statement:

“The passing of Elouise Cobell is a great loss for the Blackfeet Nation, Native Americans and our country as a whole. Elouise was the representation of courage, fearlessly taking on the United States government for the historic mismanagement of Indian trust assets. For fifteen long years Elouise fought to settle the Cobell litigation, finally achieving some justice for the Indian people with the largest government class-action settlement in history. This historic achievement helped turn the page on a sad chapter of federal-Native American relations.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Elouise Cobell, to the Blackfeet Nation, to the Native American community and to everyone else who she touched. As we mourn her passing, let us also celebrate her life and let her achievements inspire us to continue the fight for justice.”

Kildee Helps Secure More than $8 Million for Flint MTA

2011-10-17T18:05:19Z

Funding will be used for fuel efficient buses and coaches

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that he helped secure two grants totaling $8,187,500 for the Flint Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) from the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA). The grants will allow the MTA to replace aging buses and coaches with more efficient models. Congressman Kildee wrote to the FTA urging the agency to award Flint both these grants.

“I am very pleased that I was able to help secure this important funding for the Flint MTA. Public transportation provides an important service to our community, and many families rely on our bus system to access services and facilities on a daily basis. This funding will help ensure that our area continues to have quality public transportation as well as improve the energy efficiency of our fleet,” said Congressman Kildee.

One grant of $5,187,500 is through the State of Good Repair Program and will allow the MTA to replace aging vehicles with hybrid buses. The other grant of $3 million is through the Bus Livability Program and will allow the MTA to replace aging over-the-road coaches with compressed natural gas coaches that will reduce overall energy usage and emissions.

Congressman Kildee Stands with Workers and Against Unfair Trade Deals with Korea, Colombia and Panama

2011-10-12T20:20:32Z

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) voted against Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Korea, Colombia and Panama. The Congressman, whose district has been hit hard by manufacturing job losses as a result of unfair trade policies, has consistently been a fierce opponent of poorly designed trade agreements. He vowed to continue fighting for trade policies that create a level playing field for domestic manufacturing and that work with, not against, the American worker. The Congressman released the following statement:

“In my 35 years in Congress I have fought unfair trade agreements. I have voted against NAFTA, CAFTA, U.S.-Peru FTA, and numerous others. As was painfully clear with deals like NAFTA and CAFTA, trade agreements stack the deck unfairly against American workers. A pitiful lack of enforcement results in jobs being exported instead of goods. Our local economy cannot afford another similar blow.

The Korea, Colombia and Panama trade agreements have the same problems and inadequacies of trade deals of the past and I strongly oppose them. Not only do these deals fail to adequately protect American workers, but they fail to address deplorable labor conditions overseas, particularly in Colombia. We should not be in the business of encouraging companies to exploit workers, both at home and overseas. I would never support an FTA that does not promote fair trade and human dignity, and protect American workers from unfair competition.”

Kildee Announces $3.3 Million Grant for Bishop Airport

2011-08-30T14:24:41Z

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that Bishop International Airport will receive a $3,324,818 Federal Aviation Administration grant for the expansion of the terminal building.

“Throughout my career, the success of Bishop Airport has been one of my highest priorities and I am very happy that Bishop has been awarded this funding for its continued expansion. As Bishop Airport continues to grow, it will draw increased business investment to our region as well as improve transportation options for our communities. This is wonderful news for our area and I will continue to work to ensure that Bishop can thrive, serve our local communities and expand our economy for years to come,” said Congressman Kildee.

According to Bishop Airport Director Jim Rice, Congressman Kildee has helped secure more than $100 million in federal aid for the airport. In July 2010, Congressman Kildee announced a $3.4 million grant to expand and renovate the terminal building. In September 2009, Congressman Kildee helped secure a $1.8 million grant to rehabilitate the airport’s terminal apron, used for parking aircraft while they are loaded and unloaded. In July 2009, Congressman Kildee announced a $3.5 million Federal Aviation administration grant to improve pavement and runway conditions as well as de-icing.