3.1.1985

Dingell and the Oversight Subcommittee hold a hearing with defense contractor General Dynamics on improper activities where the company was "charging the Pentagon for liquor bills, travel expenses for an executive's birthday party and $1,000 for a chili cook-off at the Congressional Country Club."The highlight of the hearing occurred when Mr. Dingell asked one of the company's top executives why the government had been charged $155 for "Fursten" at "Silver Maple Farm." It turns out, Fursten was, in fact, an executive's dog, and that the government had been charged the fee for boarding him at a kennel while executives attended a conference.  (Washington Post, 3.1.85)

The Pentagon concluded that General Dynamics had over-charged the government $244 million over a decade.  General Dynamics refunded all $244 million.  (CQ Almanac, 1985, p. 167)

Dingell's hearings, combined with the hearings of other Congressional Committees led to reform in defense procurement and recovered substantial amounts of money for taxpayers.

3.11.1985

Mikhail Gorbachev takes power in the Soviet Union.

12.13.1985

Dingell, age 59, reaches his 30 year anniversary representing the 16th District of Michigan in the US House of Representatives.