Pelosi Statement on Retirement of Congressman Dale Kildee

Washington, D.C. - Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after Congressman Dale Kildee announced his plans to retire at the end of this term:

"Congressman Dale Kildee has served the people of Michigan's 5th district, his state, and his nation with commitment, compassion, focus, and dedication.  Day in and day out, rarely missing a vote on the House floor, he has advanced the interests of the families, workers, and students he represents; in doing so, he has upheld the values of our country.

"On the Education and Workforce Committee, he fought to give each student a quality education - from the first days of pre-school through the last days of college.  Never forgetting the need to extend opportunity to all Americans, he established the Native American Caucus - ensuring Native American communities retained a strong voice in the halls of Congress and leading the charge to improve Native American education and health care.

"From the well of the House to the streets of Flint, Congressman Kildee has upheld the belief, in his own words, that ‘the government's role is to promote, protect, defend, and enhance human dignity'; through his votes and actions over more than three decades, he helped fulfill this charge for every American.

"It is a privilege to call him ‘colleague'; it is an honor to call him a ‘friend.'  I wish him and his family the best in the future."