1973

Dingell breaks with President Nixon on the war in Vietnam.  "I have generally supported both the previous and the present administrations on the conduct of the American affairs in South Vietnam…While I still support steps to fulfill our commitments to protect the freedom of South Vietnam and other nations around the world, I have come to the conclusion that the efforts of our fine American troops in Southeast Asia are no longer being directed to that end…I cannot support military incursions throughout the whole of Indochina.  Such incursions will require a continuing commitment of American forces for years to come…the actions of the administration…can be described as deceitful and they are actions to which I cannot and will not give my support…I can no longer keep silent about my opposition to the policy of this administration in Southeast Asia…This nation is entitled to truthfulness, openness and honesty from the spokesmen for the White House.  Neither the American people, nor their Congress, have been treated to truthfulness, openness or honesty."(Congressional Record Statement as printed in the River Rouge Herald, 3.10.71) 

Dingell is the prime sponsor of and passes into law a bill to ban ocean dumping.  "Also known as the Ocean Dumping Act, the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA)"is "enacted to regulate the dumping of all types of materials into ocean waters and to prevent or strictly limit the dumping into ocean waters of any material which would adversely affect human health, welfare, or amenities, or the marine environment, ecological systems, or economic potentialities."
The bill extends the ban on dumping in the Great Lakes and estuaries to the outer edge of the continental shelf and specifically prohibits dumping of toxic industrial wastes, radioactive materials and all substances used in chemical and biological warfare weapons. (http://water.usgs.gov/eap/env_guide/h2o_resources.html; AP, 3.16.71).

Dingell calls for a complete pullout of troops from Vietnam.  "(Dingell)…urged an immediate and total withdrawal of US military forces from South Vietnam and demanded release of American prisoners of war. 'The United States has fulfilled its military commitment to South Vietnam and our forces should be withdrawn from that country,' he stated.  Since 17 years ago when the US was committed to the support of the government of South Vietnam, 'the people of the United States have seen more than 55,000 of their sons die in South Vietnam.  They have seen thousands of others return with grievous physical and psychological afflictions.  They have expended some $120 billion of their resources and they have been visited with growing discontent and disruption at home.  The time has come to bring our military forces home!'"(Courier, 6.3.71)

"Dingell said he has been wrestling with the Vietnam question for months.  'I have not been one of Mr. Nixon's great admirers,' the veteran Congressman said 'but I've always felt that in matters of foreign policy, politics should stop at the water's edge.  But I've supported this thing as long as I could.  It's time that we limited something that has divided our people and created bitterness and ill will in our nation.'  One thing that had particular effect on his decision, Dingell acknowledged, was the widespread drug abuse among Americans in South Vietnam.  'Hundreds of young men who went over there as good, wholesome young American boys, are coming back as hard core narcotics users,' he said."(Detroit News, 5.29.71)