[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 13, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H11472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO A COLLEAGUE, THE HONORABLE JOHN DINGELL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise too, along with all my colleagues, to 
congratulate our dear friend, John Dingell, on his 50 years of service 
as a Member of the United States House of Representatives. Today, we 
honor not only his work in this Congress but also his lifetime of 
service to his community and to his country.
  Born July 8, 1926, John Dingell served as a page in this institution, 
served as a soldier in the United States Army, a forest ranger, and 
assistant Wayne County prosecutor before replacing his father as 
Representative from Michigan's 15th Congressional District on December 
13, 1955, 50 years ago.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to insert into the Record at this point a 
Certificate of Proclamation from the Governor of our great State making 
this day Congressman John D. Dingell Day, as signed by the Governor:

             State of Michigan Certificate of Proclamation

       On behalf of the citizens of Michigan, I, Governor Jennifer 
     M. Granholm hereby proclaim December 13, 2005, as Congressman 
     John D. Dingell Day.
       Whereas, For five decades, Congressman John D. Dingell has 
     worked tirelessly for the citizens of Michigan, working for 
     the things that matter most, including a strong manufacturing 
     economy, good paying jobs, a clean environment, and 
     healthcare for every citizen; and,
       Whereas, In celebrating his 50th anniversary in Congress, 
     Congressman Dingell is now the third longest serving House 
     member in history; and,
       Whereas, Over the course of his 50 years in Congress, 
     Congressman Dingell has cast more than 21,800 roll call 
     votes, served under 10 presidents, and led the House Energy 
     and Commerce Committee; and,
       Whereas, Together, Congressman Dingell and his father have 
     represented the citizens of the Detroit area since the Great 
     Depression, a testament to the hard work and dedication the 
     Dingell family has in representing and advocating for the 
     working people of Southeast Michigan; and now therefore be 
     it,
       Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of 
     Michigan, do hereby proclaim December 13, 2005, as 
     Congressman John D. Dingell Day in Michigan. I thank 
     Congressman Dingell for being a man of integrity, a man of 
     the people; and most of all, I thank him for his 
     extraordinary commitment and service to the citizens of the 
     great State of Michigan.
                                             Jennifer M. Granholm,
                                                         Governor.

  Mr. Dingell is not only a dear friend; he is an avid hunter and an 
outdoorsman. And maybe that is why he is such a straight shooter. In my 
14 years serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I have found 
that it is far better to have him on your side than having him as an 
adversary. But when he is, you have to beat him on the merits. 
Otherwise, you lose.
  He has served as an expert on so many subjects that this Congress has 
dealt with, from telecommunications, to health care, to trade, to 
energy, and even little things called the Tucker Act. He may be the 
only Member that really knows the history of that act, which means a 
lot in the history of this Congress.
  He shares with all of us the drive to go after fraud and abuse. In 
fact, I think it was my very first subcommittee meeting when he was 
chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and we were 
grilling a guy by the name of President Kennedy. No, that is not John 
F. Kennedy, that was President Kennedy, the former President of 
Stanford, and the abuse that that university did with taxpayer money.
  Mr. Speaker, the current chairman, Mr. Barton of the Energy and 
Commerce Committee, recently remarked at the wonderful tribute for John 
Dingell, that he thought that most historians would put this gentleman, 
Mr. Dingell, in the top ten of all the Members, Republicans and 
Democrats, that have ever served in this body. I would agree with Mr. 
Barton's assessment. It is a lot of Members, a lot of years, and we are 
fortunate to have someone of Mr. Dingell's caliber for the years I have 
served.
  For some 50 years, the gentleman from Michigan can be proud, so proud 
knowing that he indeed made a difference for his country on the field 
of battle in the Army, but also in the Halls of Congress as a most 
distinguished and very respected Member.
  He is also a Wolverine. That means he represents the University of 
Michigan, another proud institution, and he has always looked out for 
the interest of education as well in this body, whether he served on 
the Education Committee or not.

                              {time}  2000

  Mr. Speaker, I join with all of the House in recognizing a wonderful 
friend, a dear colleague, a great husband, and I know Debbie is here 
someplace watching; and I simply say, well done. Many of us look 
forward to serving with you for a long time yet to come, as you 
continue to make a difference for the people of southeast Michigan, and 
all of the people that live in this great country.

                          ____________________