Congressional Record, Volume 155 Issue 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2009)

[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H1165-H1175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

HONORING JOHN D. DINGELL FOR HOLDING THE RECORD AS THE LONGEST SERVING
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 154) honoring John D. Dingell for holding the
record as the longest serving member of the House of Representatives.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:

H. Res. 154

Whereas John D. Dingell was sworn in as a Member of the
United States House of Representatives on January 3, 1956;
Whereas John D. Dingell took office after winning a special
election on December 13, 1955, to replace his father, who had
served with distinction as a 12-term Congressman and proud
supporter of President Roosevelt during the New Deal;
Whereas John D. Dingell, prior to being sworn in as a
Member of Congress, had already dedicated himself to public
service through his work as a National Park Ranger, a Second
Lieutenant in the United States Army during World War II, and
an Assistant Prosecutor in Wayne County;
Whereas John D. Dingell was appointed by Speaker of the
House Sam Rayburn to the Committee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce, which would later become the Committee on Energy
and Commerce;
Whereas John D. Dingell has authored or been instrumental
in the passage of some of the Nation's most important
environmental laws, including the National Environmental
Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1990;
Whereas John D. Dingell's length of service has given him
the wisdom to foresee the long-term implications of
congressional actions, as shown in his warning during the
1999 debate over deregulation of the financial services
industry that ``You are going to find that they [banks] are
too big to fail, so the Fed is going to be in and other
Federal agencies are going to be in to bail them out. Just
expect that'';
Whereas John D. Dingell has been a strong and vigorous
defender of civil rights and civil liberties, having led the
drafting and supported the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and
1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and is well known as a
champion of the Second Amendment;
Whereas John D. Dingell made health care for all Americans
a priority during his entire career, having offered
legislation (first introduced by his father) in every
Congress since 1957 that would provide for national health
insurance, having presided over the House of Representatives
on April 8, 1965, when Medicare passed the House, having been
a leader in getting the Children's Health Insurance Program
signed into law in 1997 and an expansion of the program
signed into law in 2009, and having been an active leader on
many other health care issues during his tremendous career;
Whereas John D. Dingell has been a tireless advocate on
behalf of working Americans, and was described by President
Obama on June 15, 2008, as ``somebody who has done more for
working people than just about anybody in the history of the
House of Representatives'';
Whereas John D. Dingell was elected to his 28th term as a
Member of the House of Representatives on November 4, 2008,
and has served as the Dean of the House since the 104th
Congress; and
Whereas John D. Dingell will become the longest serving
Member of the House of Representatives on February 11, 2009:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved,

SECTION 1. HONORING JOHN D. DINGELL FOR HOLDING THE RECORD AS
THE LONGEST SERVING MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.

The House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the Honorable John D. Dingell for his
tireless advocacy on behalf of his constituents in the State
of Michigan in the past, present, and future;
(2) honors the Honorable John D. Dingell for his lifelong
commitment to public service;
(3) celebrates the Honorable John D. Dingell and his more
than 53 years of dedication to the United States Congress, as
well the Nation and the ideals upon which it was founded; and
(4) congratulates the Honorable John D. Dingell upon
attaining the record for longest serving Member of the House
of Representatives.

SEC. 2. TRANSMISSION OF ENROLLED RESOLUTION.

The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall transmit an
enrolled copy of this resolution to the Honorable John D.
Dingell.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Kildee) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).
Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I introduced this resolution, along with my
Michigan colleagues, so that we might recognize the milestone reached
by the gentleman from Michigan, John D. Dingell, who, as of today, has
served longer in the House of Representatives than any Member in its
history.
I have had the great privilege to work closely with John Dingell the
past 32 years. I can tell you that through all the changes we have seen
in this institution over those years, John Dingell has played a major
role in those that have made this a better country. Throughout his
tenure here, he has remained constant in his determination, his
toughness, and certainly, in his fairness.
John knows of the great importance of the automobile industry in this
country. He knows that when line workers can earn a decent enough wage
to support their family and send their children to college, our whole
economy prospers. He knows that what America drives drives America.
John played an essential role in the passage of the Chrysler loan
guarantee in 1979, which actually earned $311 million for our
government. Recently, he provided a wealth of knowledge necessary to
pass the bridge loans to the Big Three automakers.
John's expertise and devotion to providing all Americans with health
care is unsurpassed in this Congress. Historians writing about health
care will always note the role of two men bearing the name John
Dingell, the one serving today and his father.
His rich Polish heritage is demonstrated each year on Fat Tuesday
when I enjoy the delicious paczki which he presents to me.
I've always been grateful to have a reliable friend and adviser in
John Dingell. Mr. Speaker, this is a better Congress, a better country,
and I know I am a better congressman, but more importantly, a better
human being, because of John Dingell.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Michigan
(Mr. Peters) be permitted to control the remainder of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Upton).
Mr. UPTON. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, today is Dingell Day. John Dingell has served more than
53 years in this body. And at a wonderful reception last night in
Statuary Hall it was commented over and over, it is not length of his
service, but it in fact is the quality of that service.
As chairman of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, he has
been certainly one of the most influential legislators in the history
of the United States, as he'd like to say, with jurisdiction over
almost everything. In fact, I think he coined this term many years ago
when he said, ``If it moves it's energy, and if it doesn't, it's
commerce. With that, our committee has that jurisdiction.'' And this
resolution honors that service.
Mr. Speaker, time will judge all of our actions, and serves as the
legacy that each of us will carry as it relates to the difference that
we made on behalf of the districts that we represented, but also the
Nation that we serve. And history will certainly look favorably on the
wonderful service of John Dingell in this body. He has been on the
right side almost all the time, but not always, but certainly he's been
an architect of the great debates that we have had in this Chamber.
John Dingell is a governing type of legislator, and he knows that
good ideas are not just Democratic ideas, and that awful ideas are not
just Republican ideas. He demands the best from all of us. And, as a
consequence, he has had tremendous relationships with the ranking
member or the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, certainly,
for all the years that I've served, whether it be with Norman Lent, Tom
Bliley, Billy Tauzin, and certainly Joe Barton, one of his best
friends.
John Dingell doesn't care about the pride of authorship. He wants the
job done. We've sat and had many conversations about issues that he's
asked me to carry, and it has strengthened those bills as we moved
those pieces of legislation to the floor.
We teamed most recently on the auto legislation. Dale Kildee, the
sponsor of this resolution, and myself are co-

[[Page H1166]]

chairs of the Auto Caucus. But together, we teamed together with all of
our Michigan colleagues, regardless of party, and we were able to
shepherd that legislation through to really help try and save the
manufacturing base of this country over these last few months.
For me, I've always enjoyed the relationship that I've had with my
good friend, John Dingell. Obviously, there are times when we've been
on the opposing side of an issue, but plenty of times when we've been
in the same foxhole, on the same side. And I'll confess, it's the
latter that I enjoy the most. It's a lot easier for, I would like to
think, the both of us when we're on the same side.
But John Dingell plays by the rules. I think maybe in another life he
would have been an umpire or a referee. Ken Duberstein, Ronald Reagan's
former Chief of Staff, said this most recently: ``He followed wherever
the facts dictated. Sometimes you don't like what he finds, but you
know that he did it honestly. He is a straight shooter.'' Indeed, he
is.
We are a wonderful and diverse country, and we know that sometimes
this is a very tough place to govern. And it comes with the territory
that to be a good legislator, you need to be blessed with a lot of
things. Luck is one. You need a great staff. You need a district back
home that respects your decision-making, you need colleagues that know
that you're somewhat of an expert and they will listen. But you also
need a great spouse. All of those elements make a necessary and
personal sacrifice to the success of your career.
Well, John Dingell has been one that has hit a home run with all of
those qualities. He has been a man for all seasons. He is a true giant
in the history of this institution. We wish him well in the many years
that he has left.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from
Michigan (Mr. Kildee) for yielding, and for introducing this resolution
honoring the distinguished dean of our delegation, Congressman John D.
Dingell.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to yield myself such time as I may
consume.

General Leave

Mr. PETERS. I also, Mr. Speaker, would like to ask unanimous consent
that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on House
Resolution 154.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Melancon). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. PETERS. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Here in Washington and across the country, Congressman Dingell is
known and respected for his legislative accomplishments. But as a
lifelong resident of Southeast Michigan, I know that Mr. Dingell's
responsiveness and service to his constituents over 53 years is just as
impressive. John Dingell has never lost touch with the people that he
serves, and being their voice in Washington has always been his top
priority. His service to the residents of his community sets an example
for other lawmakers to follow, and certainly sets the bar for me, as a
new Member of Congress.
Mr. Dingell's constituents know that he cares more about getting
things done for them than he does about getting honors for himself, and
that's why I think it's fitting that, as we are honoring him here on
the floor today, he is preparing to actively participate in a hearing
being held by the Energy and Commerce Committee's Oversight and
Investigation Subcommittee, making sure that the food that our children
and our families consume is safe.
Mr. Dingell is an inspiration for all of us.
I now yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan
(Mr. Schauer).
Mr. SCHAUER. Colleagues, I can think of no greater honor than to pay
tribute to John D. Dingell, Jr. of Michigan, who, today, becomes the
longest serving Member in the 220-year history of the U.S. House of
Representatives.
As one of Michigan's newest Members, today is my 36th day as a Member
of Congress. Today is John Dingell's 19,420th day. As Chairman Dingell
told the press this week, ``It isn't how long, it's how well.'' No one
has done it better than Chairman Dingell.
As a Representative whose district is next door to his, what is most
remarkable to me is how universally loved, revered and respected he is
by his constituents. Their faith in him is acknowledgment of his
selfless service and unblemished record of always putting the needs of
real people first, whether championing universal health care, clean
water or good jobs and a strong middle class.
In the many years I've known Chairman Dingell, he has been a great
and supportive mentor. My first week on the job here, the Dean offered
me a simple piece of advice, stay focused on the issues that are most
important to your constituents and your district, and ignore the rest.
Chairman Dingell, thank you for sharing your wisdom and being the
statesman that our founders envisioned. And most of all, thank you for
all that you continue to do.
Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, at this point I would yield 1 minute to the
distinguished minority leader of the House, the gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Boehner).
Mr. BOEHNER. Let me thank my colleague from Michigan for sponsoring
this resolution.
I rise today to congratulate our colleague and my friend, John
Dingell, as the longest serving Member in the history of the United
States House of Representatives. And while we've heard this said, I
think, in some way before, it's not the fact that Mr. Dingell is the
longest serving man or Member of the House, it's the fact that he's
been a giant of a man over all these years.
I know I've only been here 18 years and 2 months, but early on in my
congressional career, I had a chance to work with Mr. Dingell. And over
the course of my time here in Washington, he and I have developed a
very close friendship. And his word is his bond. Whether he's with you
or against you, you never have to have any doubts about where John
Dingell is.
And we've been on the same side, thankfully, many times. But even
when we're in opposition to each other, it's not as though we are
opposed to each other. We maybe have different ideas about which way to
move ahead, but he really is someone that is revered by all of our
colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

{time} 1045

And it is my honor as the Republican leader, John, to come here today
and to say thank you and congratulations.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would now yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill).
Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, some of you may know that, in my younger days,
I broke a few athletic records, but today, John Dingell has broken a
record that shows exactly what kind of man he is--a devoted public
servant. I rise today to honor John Dingell's service to the people of
Michigan and to the Nation.
He is an undeniable leader but also a teacher and a mentor. He has
been in Washington for some years now, but he has never strayed from
his midwestern roots. Everything he does is for the betterment of his
constituents.
Mr. Speaker, back in the '50s and '60s, the reputation of Congress
was much higher than what it is today. Today, the low approval ratings
are of concern to me and to, I think, a lot of people, but back in the
'50s and '60s when Mr. Dingell was a prominent Member of this body, the
reputation of Congress was high. People in America respected the
Congress of the United States, and it was because of the way people
like John Dingell respected the institution of our Congress.
We need to return to those days. The days of slashing and burning
this institution need to disappear. We need to follow the leadership of
people like John Dingell, who throughout his entire career was never a
slash and burn politician. He was a person who may have disagreed with
you, but he never disrespected you, and that is why all of us in this
body respect a man like John Dingell. It has been an honor and a
privilege for me to serve on the commerce committee with him. He has
helped me tremendously.
John, I pause today to thank you for your service and to tell you how
much

[[Page H1167]]

I respect you, not only for what you have done for me but for what you
have done for this institution.
Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, at this point, I would yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter).
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, it is a great day for Michigan. Having
grown up there, I first heard the name Dingell used in conjunction with
the auto industry because the people in my neighborhood, whether they
were blue collar, white collar or car dealers, knew that there was one
person in this Congress who would always look out for them and that, as
long as he was in this body, they would have a voice and a hope.
Today, we celebrate the fact that that voice has been in this Chamber
longer than any other Member of the United States House. As someone
from Michigan, I am eternally grateful, not only for his service to
this institution but for his service to neighborhoods like mine
throughout our entire State and our country.
As I have told you earlier, it is often said on the radio that mere
greatness is fleeting but that goodness and greatness are timeless.
Chairman Dingell, with your service to this institution, to your
beloved State of Michigan and to the country which you defended as a
veteran, they will always consider your service timeless as will be
their gratitude for it.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I now would like to yield 3 minutes to a
colleague of mine, the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Levin).
Mr. LEVIN. Well, for you, John--and I guess I'm not supposed to be
directing my comments to a particular Member. To John Dingell and to
Debbie Dingell, this is an emotional moment, but it is for all of us.
To know John Dingell, one has to know his roots and his father's--
coming from an area that saw the middle class develop. Really, for
many, for the first time, there were jobs that really paid. There was
health care for so many for the first time. They were provided pensions
for the first time, and in most cases, in many cases for the first
time, provided for a single family house.
For John Dingell, the automotive industry was not a special interest.
It was an area that had interests that were special, and so John
Dingell has never forgotten those roots. He has never forgotten the
blossoming of the middle class and his determination to fight for it.
John Dingell has never forgotten his roots. It is a good example for
all of us.
Another example has been that John Dingell was able to grow beyond
his roots in a sense, to have a sense that there were underdogs
virtually everywhere. So John Dingell came here, not only fighting for
those who were part of a new middle class but for those who were not,
and he had the courage, if one remembers, it was not so easy, to fight
for the rights of every human being.
As has been so often said, John Dingell's service here is more than
the days numbered; it is the issues fought for with esteem and success.
So this is an emotional moment for us all--as I said, for John and
Debbie Dingell but, I hope, for all America--because his service has
been a truly American service and story.
Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, at this point, I would yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from the great State of Michigan (Mrs. Miller).
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to
join so many of our colleagues, not just from the great State of
Michigan but from the great, great Nation of America to honor our
colleague here--truly a giant, a giant of this House and a legendary
leader in Michigan as well--Congressman John Dingell, as he becomes the
longest serving Member of this House in the history of this body.
Every Member of this House is addressed by the term ``the
honorable,'' but perhaps no other Member of this House deserves that
title more than the Honorable John Dingell.
For the last 19,420 days--an amazing number--more than 53 years, John
Dingell has served the people of Michigan and of our Nation with honor
and with distinction. He has been a vocal fighter for our State, a
champion for working men and women across this great Nation. He is a
man whose word is his bond, and I know that personally from so many
experiences. His word is his bond. If he gives you his word, Mr.
Speaker, take it to the bank.
None of us can ever doubt the sincerity with which he approaches his
cause nor his ability to work with Members across the aisle in
different Chambers to find solutions to the enormous challenges that
have been facing our Nation during his long tenure here, and there is
no better ally to have when fighting an issue than John Dingell. Again,
I know this from personal experience because he is a zealous advocate
for his cause and an incredible leader and, again, has that rare
ability to bring people together.
As my colleague from Michigan said, there is simply no better person
with whom to share a foxhole than John Dingell, and while I will
respect and honor John Dingell for his service to the people of his
district, Michigan and this Nation, the thing that gives me the
greatest pleasure is to be able to call John Dingell ``friend.'' I say
that with the greatest sincerity, Mr. Dingell.
Congratulations, Mr. Chairman, and my sincere best wishes for another
19,000 days of service here in this establishment.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps).
Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution
and with the greatest reverence for my colleague and my mentor, the
Honorable John Dingell.
I was fortunate enough to join the Energy and Commerce Committee in
1999. Over the past 10 years, we have confronted difficult times and
difficult legislation, but whether as ranking member or as chairman,
John led us all honorably and always with the greater good in mind.
As a nurse, working with Mr. Dingell on health care has been an
honor. Indeed, it has been the privilege of a lifetime. In fact, I have
kept my R.N. current because, with Team Dingell, I work on health care
advocacy as much in this body as I ever did as a school nurse in Santa
Barbara County, whether it was in passing the Nurse Reinvestment Act or
in opposing the misguided Medicare Modernization Act or, when we were
back in the majority, in holding our very first hearing on children's
health care, and in passing also the Genetic Information
Nondiscrimination Act. First and foremost, Mr. Dingell has always been
concerned about improving health care for all Americans.
Of course, behind every great man is, quite often, a strong woman.
This has never been more true than it is with the Dingells. In fact, I
had the pleasure of getting to know Debbie Dingell before I really got
to know John because I first came to Washington as a congressional
spouse. She worked hard with John to ensure that the Energy and
Commerce Committee remained collegial, and she would often keep John
and all of us company during late-night markups. I use this occasion
then also to pay tribute to her today for all she does to support
John's great work and service.
Congratulations to Mr. John Dingell and to the entire Dingell family
for reaching this incredible, amazing milestone.
Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I have a number of Members who may be coming
over. We have no one here at the moment, but I would ask at this point
to give all Members the opportunity to revise and extend their remarks
and to be able to submit that material for the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Schauer). The request the gentleman is
making was granted earlier in the debate.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Many times you will hear us suggest that we
are privileged to be on the floor and to be able to speak to a
particular resolution. I know that the distinguished gentleman who I
speak of this morning, Congressman Dingell, is a respecter and a lover
of this institution. He often supports and calls for regular

[[Page H1168]]

order, but this morning, I would like to be given a waiver to speak
particularly in a personal manner because I believe that the courage of
John Dingell truly has impacted my life. So, even though I might have
been--and I can probably say this--just a junior high school student as
John Dingell took his oath of office, he does not realize the many
lives like mine that he impacted. I am what I am today because John
Dingell had the courage and the fortitude, the strength and love of
this country to stand in times of difficulty.
Where would this Nation be if a man by the name of Martin Luther King
had not been listened to by a man like John Dingell, who then stood on
the floor of the House, alongside of a southern President, and voted
for the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act?
The southern districts were created and opportunities for many of us
to ascend to higher office and to be welcomed in places of
accommodation, maybe even for this young President, President Obama, to
attend Columbia University or for myself to attend Yale University.
John Dingell was not thinking about individual persons, nameless
persons like me, but he took a stand when he knew that he might be
subjected to an enormous primary fight or that he would be considered,
if you will, a lover of those colored people.

{time} 1100

But like Thomas Jefferson said, ``Some men are born for the public.''
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman an additional 30
seconds.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Jefferson continued, ``Nature, by fitting
them for the service of the human race on a broad scale, has stamped
them with the evidences of her destination and their duty.''
John Dingell has protected my mother. She's in a nursing home. How is
she able to do that having worked 37 years as a vocational nurse?
Because of Medicare. There are many children in my district who are
glad that in 1997 I was able to join John Dingell for the
implementation of the children's health coverage.
So John, I know that you like regular order, but I decided to be
personal today. I want to thank you for those 19,420 days because they
were not in vain. You saved many lives, you gave us opportunities. I am
forever grateful, and I stand here as a daughter of America saying
thank you on behalf of the United States of America.
Mr. Speaker, I am overjoyed today that I have the opportunity to
speak on one of America's true public servants. The resolution before
us today on the House floor recognizes Representative John Dingell for
his distinguished public service and for his holding the record as the
longest serving member of the House of Representatives. I urge my
colleagues to support this resolution.
Thomas Jefferson said that ``Some men are born for the public. Nature
by fitting them for the service of the human race on a broad scale, has
stamped them with the evidences of her destination and their duty.'' If
any man or woman I have ever served with is born for the public, it is
my good friend from Michigan.
Congressman John Dingell has been devoted to this chamber since he
first started working as a Congressional Page in 1938. He was already a
seasoned Washington, D.C. veteran when he won a special election to
replace his father who had served his constituents the last 22 years of
his life. While few back then knew that he would serve undisrupted for
53 years, everyone knew that he would be a difference maker. He now has
an office that is named for the Speaker of the House that first swore
him in, Speaker Sam Rayburn from my home State of Texas.
In his illustrious career, Congressman Dingell has seen it all. He
has gone from rank and file member, to Chairman, and accomplished more
than most can even dream possible. Starting his career under John F.
Kennedy, he has been a driver on the course of history. He has never
apologized for his beliefs even during a time when being a ``Liberal''
was as bad an insult as you could sling.
A devoted advocate for nationalized health care, he has never
relented in introducing a national healthcare system at the start of
every Congressional Session. He was never able to stomach that there
were people among us who lacked the ability to have access to the basic
right to care for their health. He has used his natural ability to talk
to his fellow Members to help those who need the help the most.
A strict watchman for the people's resources, he went against his own
leadership to bring attention to government waste. Making sure that any
person, Democrat or Republican, who came to give testimony to his
Committee were sworn in under oath, he made sure that even subjects
that most would want to keep quiet, he brought in to the light. Whether
it is holding hearings on $600 dollar Pentagon toilet seats or
preventing scientific fraud with who discovered the AIDS virus,
Congressman Dingell is the quintessential defender of the little guy.
He has never believed that just because an injustice is small it should
not be fought with every ounce of effort that he had. I also must thank
his lovely, wife Debbie; she has been a mighty force in all he has done
and a great support for all his causes.
This man is an American hero and I am honored to be able to vote on
this important resolution. We have a chance to thank the man who has
done so much for all of our constituents and I hope to be one of the
first ``yes'' votes on this resolution. This resolution can show us all
that remaining committed to our constituents is the best path to keep
our jobs.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge the passage of this resolution.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from the State of California (Ms. Matsui).
Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, it's a privilege to stand here today to
honor a man who is so many things to this body: public servant,
respected legislator, champion of the working family, colleague,
counsel, and friend. Above all, John Dingell is a legend in the halls
of the Capitol.
He fought bravely in World War II and performed so admirably that he
rose to the rank of second lieutenant. Yet, by the end of the war,
John's service to this country was just beginning. He probably did not
expect that he would serve in this body for more than half a century.
Longevity is impressive, particularly in a hard-nose business like
politics.
But what makes John's tenure here so significant is not how long he's
served, but what he has accomplished during his tenure. Thousands and
thousands of children and families across this country have lived
healthier lives because of laws written by John Dingell. Workers and
consumers enjoy protections today that they never had before John came
along.
It's been an honor for me to serve with John as he burnishes his
legacy on the Energy and Commerce Committee. He's achieved this feat
while staying true to the values that drew him to public service:
fairness, justice, hard work, and loyalty. And we cannot think about
John without thinking about Debbie, the love of his life. Their
partnership is an inspiration for all of us, and we honor them both.
Congratulations, John, on this honor and achieving this milestone. We
look forward to many, many more.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield 3 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen).
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan
(Mr. Peters) for the time.
It is with great honor that I am a Member of this House and stand
today on this resolution that honors one of the great Members of this
House, the Honorable John Dingell of Michigan.
As a freshman Member last year, I knew of Mr. Dingell's reputation--
which all of America should know--but I knew it from personal knowledge
from a former staffer, T.J. Oden, a good friend of mine in Memphis who
always referred to Mr. Dingell with great honor and great distinction
and talked of stories of the past and I'd always heard of Mr. Dingell.
So when I came here, it was one of the great pleasures to meet him,
and he treated me not as a freshman, not as a person who wasn't
necessarily expected to win their re-election and somebody who would be
here for a blip, but as a fellow Member and an equal and offered me
advice and courtesies that you don't always see from a senior Member
extended to a freshman. And I certainly didn't see them from every
Member in this body.
But his term here in the House should be an example to young people
all over this Nation who want to enter public service.
While I was a freshman in this House, I was not a freshman in the
legislative process having served 24 years in the

[[Page H1169]]

State Senate in Tennessee. In my political career, I've seen many
people who get into office and the first thing that it seems they want
to do is move to a higher office. They take the position and they take
votes that will extend them to a higher constituency, whether it's a
Congressperson wanting to be a senator, or a State representative
wanting to be a State senator, or somebody wanting to be a governor or
a statewide officer or President or cabinet member. That's not the
purpose, the reason why one should hold public office and be a Member
of this House of Representatives.
This is a position that is worthy of dedication unto itself and to
this Chamber, as Mr. Dingell has and his father has served for over
three-quarters of a century. He has dedicated himself to this House and
to his district and to the issues of importance and not to the
advancement of John Dingell as Senator, Secretary, Governor, or
President.
It is that resoluteness and that purpose that I think holds itself
out as an example to young people who enter office is to enter an
office and to do good in that office and know that that office, when
you take an oath, is what you're sworn to uphold and the duty that you
should stand to and not to seek self-promotion constantly.
Mr. Dingell has done that, and that's part of what this record of
service shows: a dedication to this House and his district and to the
purpose of which he was elected.
In Washington, I have experienced a little over 2 years as a Member
of this House, and I have seen people in this community who revere Mr.
Dingell and his bride.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would yield another 30 seconds to the
gentleman.
Mr. COHEN. And in law when a person's reputation and character is put
on display for a jury, it is the reputation as they're known throughout
the community. And in this community of Washington, there are no two
people who are thought of more highly and more revered for their
charitable works and their friendship than John Dingell and his lovely
bride, Debbie.
So it's with those issues, the purpose for which he was elected in
which he served for this House and for this country. And when he closed
his remarks yesterday in the great Rotunda at a celebration honoring
him, he closed by saying, ``God bless the United States of America.'' I
think it was perfect for Mr. Dingell because he loves this country, and
that's why he served so long and so well.
So I join everybody and ask you to join in voting for this
resolution.
Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, at this point I would yield 2 minutes to
another gentleman from the great State of Michigan (Mr. Rogers).
Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to stand here and
give a moment of honor and praise to a gentleman who has committed
himself to this institution and to his country and certainly to his
State.
And I have often said along the way that if you ever want to tangle
with somebody in politics, there is no better rival you can have than
John Dingell, and you better buckle up and show up and be ready to go.
And when you're on his side, there is no better friend to have in this
House. And it has been a fun experience to get to know him in a better
and more personal way the last 8 years that I've been here.
I will never forget the first day I got here. We happened to meet, I
think, in the hallway on the way to the Chamber, and he offered his
hand in congratulations. And I said, ``Sir, do you have any advice for
a new Member here in the House of Representatives?'' And he thought
about it for a minute and he said, ``Michael, if you're going to sup
with the devil, make sure you do so with a very long spoon.'' I thought
it was the very best advice that I have ever gotten in this Chamber and
in the life of politics in the last 8 years.
He has always been there with a kind word and an offer for help. And
when he's against you, as I said before, believe me, you'll know it. He
even had some good advice when we were in opposition to certain
positions along the way.
But he is truly one of the statesmen of this institution, and we
shouldn't forget it. The fact that you can disagree and passionately
disagree with civility has always been the hallmark of John Dingell.
And he has that same passion, and you can imagine him having some 53-
plus years ago when he showed up in these chambers. And that I draw
inspiration from, to know that you can be through all of these tough
and very difficult political issues and still show up with a little bit
of hip in your getalong, as my dad used to say.
All of those years, all of those accomplishments, all of that
civility, that, my friend, is what a statesman is all about.
It has been an honor and a privilege to know you, sir, in the
capacity as a United States Representative. You're one of the
intellectual giants. Thank you for your service to your State. Thank
you for your service to your country.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, at this point I would yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from the good State of Indiana (Mr. Buyer).
Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I came to the institution of Congress as a
very young man--not as young as you were, John, perhaps--I was 32 years
old. I was a fresh, young captain right out of the first gulf war, and
I came to the institution of Congress because I wanted to serve my
country in another capacity; and I was very upset having seen what men
and women do in the name of liberty on a distant battlefield and then
to see what had happened to Congress.
To my friend John Dingell, your party controlled for 40 years, and
then the institution became dark and mismanaged, unorganized. There
were some bad things that were going on. That propelled me to come to
Congress.
And when I came to Congress, I then looked upon my mentors. As a
young man, I had great respect because I grew up in an American Legion
family, and those guys that would be out in the alley at the fish fries
and shooing me out of the way because they were drinking a beer while
they were telling stories and war stories, they were the World War II
generation. And I come here to Congress and I got to serve, then, with
some of the remaining World War II generation.
And upon my reflection, John, as you reflect upon your 50 years-plus
of being here in Congress, I think about what a joy it must have been
to have served here in Congress in the 1950s and the 1960s when there
were so many individuals here in Congress that were of the product of
World War II and Korea. Because these were individuals who had truly
crossed over and had seen the world in a different dimension and didn't
have time for the political games; what were the great interests that
could help our country move forward; Republicans and Democrats working
together, building bridges across any of those divides of which
individuals who didn't understand that type of dimension or reasoning
or the bridge builders of those policies were the products of World War
II and Korea.
And I kind of look back to your career and say, you know, it would
have been a real joy to serve here in Congress during those two
decades. And I got to see the end of that when I was here, and it was
Bob Stump and Sonny Montgomery and others.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. UPTON. I yield an additional 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Indiana.
Mr. BUYER. And I think about what a real joy.
And then I watched you, not only as the great John Dingell, as what
you were referred to here in the town as you led the Energy and
Commerce Committee, and then how you also then served in the minority.
You are a man who believes in the institution, and by that way you
teach a lot of us on how to act, our deportment, our demeanor, our
tone, and our tenor; but you also respect the institution. And when you
respect the institution, that means you respect each other.
And right now, Lady Liberty is weeping. And the reason Lady Liberty
is weeping is because we take one of the great men of this institution,
and the Democrat leadership moved you out. And they moved you out,
John, because you were an institutional man. You're a man that respects
open deliberation and debate, and that's who you are.

[[Page H1170]]

But if you're an individual who believes that no, it's my way or the
highway and I'm going to do it my way, an individual who permits open
debate and deliberation of all individuals--everyone here was elected
to represent their districts. So we are in equal capacity.
But your leadership, John, moved you out, and that was unfortunate.
And that's why I said Lady Liberty is weeping today because right now,
we're voting on bills that did not go through particular markups. You
know, the Speaker, we spend that 10 hours in the Energy and Commerce
Committee and do amendments, and she takes her own bill on up to the
Rules Committee, brings it to floor, don't even do amendments so we
don't even get to participate in the process.

{time} 1115

The reason you can do that is because you move someone out like John
Dingell.
This is a man that everyone in the institution respects, and so when
I will reflect upon my tenure in Congress, I will say that I got to
serve with some great men and women.
In particular, when I think of Henry Hyde, I will put him in the same
arena as Daniel Webster and Henry Clay, the great orators. And I will
put you in the same category as Sam Rayburn and some of those great
individuals that have served this country, John. I am proud to have
served here with you.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed my great honor to yield 1
minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from California, our Speaker of
the House, Nancy Pelosi.
Ms. PELOSI. Thank you very much. It's so wonderful to see the two
gentlemen from Michigan, the two newest Members on the Democratic side
from Michigan, one presiding, Mr. Schauer, and one controlling the
time, Mr. Peters, as we pay tribute to the dean of the House and
certainly the dean of the Michigan delegation, Mr. Dingell.
Pretty exciting, isn't it, Mr. Chairman, to see these two new young
Members to come here to reinvigorate the Congress? You've seen that
happen time and time again.
My colleagues, as you know, today, the American flag is flying over
the Capitol in honor of the leadership and service of our colleague
John Dingell for becoming the longest-serving Member of the House of
Representatives. As we recognize John today, we thank and congratulate
his family for sharing him with us: his wife, the lovely Deborah as he
refers to her; and his children, John, the Third, Christopher, Jeannie
and Jennifer.
Last night, hundreds of people gathered under the Capitol dome as we
had a reception on the eve of this historic event at the site of the
original House of Representatives to pay tribute to John Dingell. It
was an amazing group to see, Democrats and Republicans, new Members
just newly sworn in, and those who had been here for decades.
We were honored to be joined by President Clinton, who on more than
one occasion has honored John Dingell for his service. I think most
recently before was for the 50-year anniversary of your service in
Congress when many of us came together at that time.
We were joined also by Speaker Foley and former Minority Leader Bob
Michel, again as a sign of bipartisanship. All came together to pay
tribute to the 19,420 days John Dingell has served alongside us.
Today, we have an opportunity to again pay tribute on the actual day
that he breaks the record. Yesterday was a tie; today, break the
record.
It's also a personal privilege for me to speak about John, as my
father, Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr., served with John's father in the
Congress before John came here.
Every chapter in John Dingell's life has been lived in service to our
country. John came first to these halls, as I mentioned last night and
as we all know, as a congressional page. I see that all the pages are
gathered in the back of the room to hear the story of one of their
colleagues, a former page, who has reached the heights in the Congress
of the United States. Thank you, Pages.
He was a page in 1941 when he was standing on the floor when
President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. That war
called John to serve again, not now as a page but a few years older,
and old enough to serve in the military where he rose to the rank of
second lieutenant in the Army. It also began a public life dedicated to
make America strong, both at home and abroad.
Just barely old enough to be a member of the Greatest Generation,
John Dingell applied his brilliant mind, his great judgment, and his
broad vision to making the future better for generations to come. John
always made clear that a strong America had to be a healthy America.
Continuing a tradition his father had begun in every Congress, John has
introduced a bill for universal national health insurance.
Because of his tireless work in securing health care for the elderly,
John presided in the House in 1965--he presided where you stand now,
Congressman Schauer--when Medicare was passed into law. He gaveled it
down, and that gavel he used that day still sits on his desk.
To work alongside John Dingell is to be inspired by the history of
our institution and humbled by the seriousness of our work.
John, as I said, yesterday tied the record; today, he broke the
record. And every day that he serves from now on he will continue to
set a new record, certainly a new record of time in Congress, but
that's the least of it, a record of leadership, combined with
experience and longevity that makes him such a powerhouse.
To John, we love and respect you, and by any measure, your leadership
and your success have been unsurpassed. Congratulations on this
wonderful honor. I look forward to working with you for many weeks,
years, every day to break the record, a new record, but as that piles
up into years, our country will continue to be well-served by your
tremendous leadership.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, at this point, I would yield 4 minutes to the
former chairman and now distinguished ranking member of the powerful
and influential Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Barton.
(Mr. BARTON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. BARTON of Texas. Thank you, Congressman Upton.
Mr. Speaker, we're here today to honor one of the true lions of the
Congress. I feel like since this is the third time I've made this type
of a speech that I'm at a funeral, except for the fact that our honoree
is not only alive, but he's still kicking and has lots of life left to
give to his constituency and to the Congress and certainly to the
committee that he's served as chairman for so many years in the Energy
and Commerce Committee.
I've known John Dingell in some ways since 1985 when I got sworn in
as a freshman Member. I've served on the committee that he was the
chairman of since 1987. I've served 22 years on the committee, and for
the last 17 years, in some shape, form or fashion, I have sat beside
him as subcommittee chairman, as ranking member, as full committee
chairman, as ranking member of the full committee, and now again as
ranking member with he as chairman emeritus.
There is a public side of John Dingell, and there is a private side
of John Dingell. We have numerous stories about the public side of John
Dingell, the powerful, gruff chairman. You know, some of the private
sides of John Dingell, much less public but just as important, when I
had my heart attack 3 years ago, John Dingell is one of the people that
called and gave me solace and counsel and checked on my wife and made
sure that she was okay.
When Terri and I had our son 3 years ago, John and Debbie called and
asked what kind of a gift, and knowing of their association with the
auto industry, I thought a Cadillac Escalade might be in order. But
what we got were car seats, a car seat for Washington and a car seat
for Texas, very practical gift, also within the House ethics rules and
also very thoughtful.
One of the things that has not been said that I'm aware of is that in
spite of the many legislative achievements, the Clean Water Act, Safe
Water Drinking Act, the Clean Air Act Amendments, a lead role in the
original Clean Air Act, John Dingell is a very humble man. He has not
asked that his name be put on any of that legislation.

[[Page H1171]]

When I chaired the energy conference report that later became the
Energy Policy Act of 2005, I wanted my name on the bill and Senator
Domenici and Senator Bingaman and Congressman Dingell. And so I went to
Mr. Dingell. I said, Let's put your name on the bill; we will call it
the Barton-Domenici-Dingell-Bingaman bill. And he said, no, he didn't
want his name on the bill. I said, Is it because it's too
controversial? He said, No, I don't believe that a man should be that
presumptuous.
And I may be wrong, but I'm not aware of any piece of legislation
that is called the Dingell bill because he just wants to get the job
done. He's not interested in personal memorials.
As I've said numerous times, when they write the history of the
Congress, of the 20,000 men and women who have had the honor to call
themselves U.S. representatives, John Dingell will be one of those
representatives that is highlighted.
I think he's probably the most influential House Member in the
history of the Congress who has not been Speaker of the House, and he
could have been Speaker at some point in time. And I don't mean that as
a personal attack on our current Speaker. I'm just saying the esteem
that this man has been held in for over 50 years is something that we
should all try to emulate, because on both sides of the aisle, he is
really, really held in high esteem and is considered, as I said
earlier, one of the lions, not just of this Congress but every
Congress.
I consider it one of the highest honors of my life that I have been
able to serve with him and by him and learn from him and, on occasion,
emulate him.
And, Mr. Speaker, I will also say that he still has work to do. The
fact that we're all honoring him with this resolution today--
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has again expired.
Mr. UPTON. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.
Mr. BARTON of Texas. The fact that we're honoring this fine gentleman
today does not mean that he can rest on his laurels. I fully expect
within the month to be totally engaged on opposite sides in the public
health care debate as he tries to fulfill one of his lifetime
obligations of moving some sort of a national health care bill. I
believe in a more market-oriented, private sector approach.
So, while part of me says I wish he would go ahead and retire, the
better part of me says we want you here, Chairman Dingell. We want you
engaged in the debate. We want you giving your ideas on what you think
is right for the American people, just like you've been doing for the
last 53-years-and-some-odd days, because on your best day you make this
body and our country a better body and a better country, and even on
your worst day, you improve the atmosphere and improve the prospects
for a brighter future for our people of the United States of America.
God bless you.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, before yielding more time I ask unanimous
consent to extend the time by 10 minutes, equally split between both
sides.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to now yield 1 minute to the
distinguished gentleman from Maryland and the majority leader of the
House of Representatives, Mr. Hoyer.
Mr. HOYER. I thank the two gentlemen from Michigan, Mr. Peters and my
good friend Mr. Upton.
There is no partisanship on this floor today. There is a universal
expression of respect, affection, admiration, sometimes fear, always
awe. I rise to note the service of a great American, a good man, who
has advantaged this House, his State, and the American people by his
service.
Today, we honor a man who has sat in this Chamber for nearly a
quarter of its existence. Think about it. He and his father have served
longer than a quarter of the existence of this House. In so many ways,
the history of this House is the history of John Dingell and his
family.
His father helped create Social Security. John presided over the
House, as has been noted, when we passed Medicare. In his time here,
John has had his hand in everything from the Clean Air Act to the
Endangered Species Act, to the just recently passed Children's Health
Insurance Program.
And John Dingell sat to the right of the President of the United
States as the President signed that bill, and President Obama took that
first pen with which he signed that bill and turned to Chairman Dingell
and gave it to him. How appropriate it was for President Obama, a young
and vigorous President, whose tenure in public office is relatively
short, to turn and give that pen to an individual whose term in office
has exceeded now that of every other American in history.

{time} 1130

John was here when we passed the first civil rights bill. John was
here when we put a man on the Moon. He was here when the Berlin Wall
and the Twin Towers fell.
So much of our institutional memory is embodied in this one giant of
a man, the longest-serving Member in the history of the House--a
walking, talking, Library of Congress.
One way to last this long is to keep your head down, to stay quiet
and unobtrusive, to hope that no one notices you year after year. That
may be one way. It was not John Dingell's way. But the other way is to
make yourself so instrumental that your constituents and this body
could hardly imagine life and legislation without your input, without
your advice, without your counsel, without your prodding, without your
expressing a vision for a better America. Everyone here knows that that
is the path that our friend John Dingell took.
For more than half a century--it's been mentioned, 19,420 days--John
came here, to this Chamber, every day, asking what he could do to bring
a little more security, a little more dignity, a little more
prosperity, to his constituents and to my constituents, and to all of
our constituents, to his fellow citizens.
And he came here to this Chamber, every day, asking what he could do
to advance the ideals that he has held so tenaciously and so ably and
defended so passionately throughout his life and throughout his career
in this body.
As Michael Barone wrote a few years ago, and I quote, ``Whether you
agree or disagree, the social Democratic tradition is one of the great
traditions in our history, and John Dingell has fought for it for a
very long time.''
The good news for my great granddaughter is that John Dingell is
still fighting for that tradition. Still fighting for her and the
millions of her cohorts, very small. They will not know John Dingell
personally, but all of them will benefit by John Dingell's service and
passion and caring and effectiveness as a giant among the legislators
of our history. He is still fighting. And he will go on fighting.
We know how much more John has to contribute to the life of this
House and this Nation as he adds to his record every 24 hours, from
here on out. I want to join my friend Joe Barton, who's John Dingell's
friend, as is Fred Upton, his friends and his admirers join Joe Barton
in saying that we look forward to John Dingell's leading us as we
confront the issue of the passion of his life and of his father's life.
And that is ensuring that every American has the availability of
quality health care.
John Dingell will be the principal sponsor of that health bill, and
our principal leader on that effort. He has much to do. As Ulysses once
said, ``Tho' much is taken, much abides.''
I understand that President Clinton quoted that famous Ulysses poem
by Alfred Lord Tennyson. That poem ends by saying that, ``Tho' we are
not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven, that
which we are, we are. One equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by
time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not
to yield.''
Tennyson did not know John Dingell, but Tennyson spoke of the
character and courage and commitment of our friend, of our historic
colleague, our chairman, John Dingell of Michigan.
Congratulations, and thank you.
Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would yield 2 minutes to my
good friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier).

[[Page H1172]]

(Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, the distinguished majority leader, my
classmate and friend from Maryland, was absolutely right when he
reminded us that just last night at the great ceremony in Statuary
Hall, President Clinton directed us to in fact read Tennyson's Ulysses
last night.
The thing that struck me as I listened to the majority leader again
talk about John Dingell was something else that President Clinton said.
He said, ``Interestingly enough, if you look at the number of
Presidents with whom,'' and I underscore, John, with whom, as you said
last night, ``John Dingell has served, it is 25 percent of the
Presidents--25 percent of the Presidents that we have had in the United
States of America.''
It is an absolutely amazing accomplishment, and it's a great
privilege and honor for me to be able to be part of this.
John Dingell and I, Mr. Speaker, have not always agreed on every
single issue, and I know that has clearly come to the forefront from
probably people on both sides of the aisle. But one of the interesting
things that I have observed is that alliances regularly shift around
here.
In the early 1990s, there was a clash that Mr. Dingell and I had over
the issue of jurisdiction. I was charged by then-Speaker Gingrich early
on to bring about a modification in committee jurisdiction. And I did
some things that my friend John Dingell didn't particularly like.
But when I talk about how alliances shift, I have to say that then,
just a few years ago, Mr. Dingell approached me and asked me to help
him as he was dealing with a jurisdictional challenge, and I totally
agreed with what it was he was trying to do at that point.
And so as you look at a long period of time, while we can have
passionate disagreements, it's clear that we can just as passionately
come together and agree on some issues.
John Dingell is clearly an institutionalist. And I told him last
night, Mr. Speaker, at the great ceremony in Statuary Hall, that I have
always been struck--I have served in almost every capacity one can on
the House Rules Committee just upstairs on the third floor, and as all
of our colleagues know, this is where Members come to testify on behalf
of amendments or proposals that they would like to have considered on
the House floor.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. UPTON. I yield the gentleman an additional 2 minutes.
Mr. DREIER. I thank my very good friend for yielding me additional
time.
In the Rules Committee, Members have to stand in line to offer their
testimony. And sometimes, if questions go on, we don't impose limits
there on questioning, as in the case in other committees, and often one
person can be there and testify for a long period of time if the
questioning goes on.
Well, we will have maybe two-term, second-term Members come in and
they will get antsy and start to pace around and grumble over the fact
they are not being immediately recognized before the Rules Committee to
testify on behalf of the legislation.
And I will say that I have been regularly struck at the fact that
John Dingell, the Dean of the House, the chairman of the Energy and
Commerce Committee, has often come before the House Rules Committee and
literally sat patiently for 45 minutes, an hour, an hour and a half, as
others have gone before him to testify, never thinking for one second
that he should be recognized.
Now, of course I should say parenthetically that when I was chairman
of the Rules Committee, I always wanted to rush to recognize John
Dingell as quickly as I possibly could. But his understanding of this
institution is, to me, evidenced in what he regularly did when I would
see him in that capacity in the House Rules Committee.
And I have to say that he talked about staff members last night, and
recognizing the people who give us the opportunity to do the work that
we do is something that John Dingell did so well. And he, of course,
talked about his wonderful partner, Debbie.
So, I have to say, Mr. Speaker, this job has a tendency to become
very frustrating. When you have gone from the majority to the minority,
and Mr. Dingell knows this, it is frustrating and challenging and
difficult. But I am in the minority now, and some of the days aren't as
exciting as they were when I was in the majority.
To be able to be here on the day that recognizes John Dingell's
amazing service to this institution is something of which I am very
proud, and has given me just the boost that I need.
So, thank you very much, and I thank my friend for yielding.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards).
Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. As I am a junior Member of the House of
Representatives, I am very pleased to join you, Mr. Speaker, in this
recognition. I know that there are a lot of old friends in the House of
Representatives. But, Mr. Speaker, I hope that Mr. Dingell will count
me as one of his new friends.
19,420 days. I can't even imagine, having only served in this House
for a mere 7\1/2\ months. And, today I think, Mr. Speaker, we value
more than just the longevity of the service, but we value its
character, its quality, its substance, and its leadership.
And so I am really pleased to be here today, Mr. Speaker, in
celebration of a wonderful time of public service in this institution.
And I want to share with you that when I arrived in this Congress, Mr.
Speaker, there was one gentleman who pulled me aside in the Members'
Cloakroom and he said to me something that I won't forget, and I
believe will carry many of our junior Members through our time in
service.
Mr. Dingell said, ``You are my peer, and don't you ever forget that,
because it will serve you well in this institution.'' And already that
has been true.
Now we talk a lot about the substance of the legislation that Mr.
Dingell has ushered through for all of us--for my parents, my
grandparents, for me. But I'd like to talk to about what it means to be
a Member because very recently Mr. Dingell approached me about a
situation with a group of high school students from Wyandotte High
School in Michigan, who were staying in Hershey, Pennsylvania, but had
to play in the inauguration. And it would have been impossible for them
to get to the inauguration on time. And so we found a high school out
in the Fourth Congressional District in Maryland for these students
from Wyandotte.
And what that demonstrated to me again, Mr. Speaker, is that Mr.
Dingell isn't simply about the substance and about the time, but the
service.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. PETERS. I yield 1 additional minute.
Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Thank you. But it isn't simply about that
substance, but it's also about what it means to serve the people. And
sometimes that service comes in small ways, and other times it comes in
big ways.
And so, already, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Dingell has demonstrated to me that
we are here for the public service, and that means to our constituents
in Michigan, in Maryland, and across this country. But we can't forget
that. And so I thank Mr. Dingell for his longevity and for his
knowledge and the breadth and also for teaching me a lesson as a junior
Member of this institution about what it means to serve.
Mr. UPTON. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey).

{time} 1145

Mr. MARKEY of Massachusetts. I thank the gentleman from Michigan very
much.
I think that this is just an incredibly appropriate moment to be
honoring Mr. Dingell, because he is the living link to the principles
of fairness, justice, and advancing the public interest that animated
the New Deal, and which remain so relevant today to the important
issues which we are discussing here, not only on the floor of the
House, but all across America: The lessons of why we regulate Wall
Street, why we ensure that those who control the finances of all the
families in our country have to be watched with an

[[Page H1173]]

eagle eye. Mr. Dingell, who ensured that our securities laws were
rewritten to provide for protection against insider trading, curbing
penny stock manipulation, increased civil penalties, the 1990 Market
Reform Act. He is responsible for so many of the laws that are now
going to be looked to, to ensure that we enforce our securities laws
against those who have abused the public trust.
So while many people look at his work on the National Environmental
Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, the
Children's Health Insurance Act, North America's first international
wildlife refuge, there are so many other areas that Mr. Dingell has
been working on, including the financial regulatory area, and all of
the telecommunications laws that have made it possible for us to have
this revolution which now has the words Google and E-Bay and Amazon and
YouTube part of our vocabulary.
But for me, the six words that will be remembered are those six words
that are the most feared words that have ever been spoken in the
history of the United States Congress, ``I'm just a poor Polish
lawyer.'' Those words always preceded a dissection by Mr. Dingell in
brilliant form of the arguments made by those making presentations to
the Energy and Commerce Committee.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. PETERS. I yield 1 additional minute to the gentleman.
Mr. MARKEY of Massachusetts. Invariably, this brilliant dissection of
the flaws and the arguments of those who were testifying before our
committee resulted in legislation that ultimately produced protections
for the American people in areas across the entire spectrum of the
lives of every single American. And this legendary legislator has left
a legacy which will benefit families in our country for centuries to
come, because like the New Deal principles that his father fought to
put on the books, John Dingell has ensured that those principles were
carried forward in the laws that were written during his time here.
They have been embodied and extended in a way that will protect
families in our country and, I might say, around the world, because
they will be emulated for generations to come. And we come here today
to honor our friend John Dingell for the incredible service that he has
provided to our country.
Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to say that my good friend Ed Markey's
statement that, ``I'm just a poor Polish lawyer,'' that reminds me of a
story. I wasn't going to tell this until then, but those of us on the
committee certainly know the story because our good friend Mr. Tauzin
has told this story many, many times. And that was when Mr. Dingell, I
think then the chairman, used that line, ``I'm just a poor Polish
lawyer.'' And Mr. Tauzin, who is always known to have one of the best
wits ever not only in this body but across the country, was about to
relate to him a ``Polish joke,'' Mr. Dingell reminded him that he was
just a poor Polish lawyer. And Mr. Tauzin then said, ``Well, I will
then tell the joke very slowly.''
Mr. Speaker, in the short time that I have served in this body, John
Dingell and I have had really countless conversations and stories. Our
offices were across the hall for a number of years, so we would walk to
the floor for votes. We would do joint press conferences. We often sat
together on the Northwest flight to Detroit, where I then would fly on
to Kalamazoo or South Bend and he would stay with his constituents on
that side of the State. We obviously worked very closely and in my work
on the committee and subcommittees in so many different ways, as not
only the dean of the House for Mr. Dingell, he was also the dean of our
delegation and I have been dean of the Republican side of that
delegation as well. So our delegations work very closely on many
fronts. And in all of those conversations, I want to say I think they
have all ended with his closing, ``God bless you, my friend.''
We are fortunate that God has blessed the Dingell family, certainly
this House in all the great work that he has done as a real legislator,
a good friend of all the people regardless of party or affiliation, or
staying on the issue. He has been there for the country.
So we say, God bless you, our friend, Mr. Dingell. We salute you for
your service. And we look forward to our continuing strong relationship
in so many ways.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would certainly like to thank Mr. Upton
for his comments and for managing the time on his side, and I would
also like to thank Mr. Kildee for putting forth this resolution.
Today, we have certainly heard some just incredible testimonials from
individuals in this House honoring the incredible work of an incredible
public servant and statesman, Mr. Dingell. It certainly is an honor for
me to be here and serving with Mr. Dingell, and it is certainly going
to be an honor to continue to serve with him in the weeks and years
ahead.
So it is with great pride that I move that the House suspend the
rules and agree to House Resolution 154.
Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American, a
great servant of the people, a great patriot, and a great friend, the
longest serving Member of the House, the gentleman from Michigan,
Congressman John D. Dingell.
Mr. Speaker, John Dingell has served his district, his State, his
Nation, and this great and noble body with distinction and honor. His
achievements on behalf of our Nation are profound, and they are
numerous. John's unyielding commitment to bettering the lives of the
people he serves, in fact bettering the lives of all Americans, in this
great body shines as an example that we can only hope to live up to.
The gentleman's contribution to our country, and the House of
Representatives, will stand the test of time. I wish him many more
years of good health, active service, and I look forward to working
with him on meeting many of the challenges that we face today. I for
one can say, with all honesty and a sense of humility, that I feel
fortunate to have been able to serve with our dean, the gentleman from
Michigan, John Dingell.
Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize
John D. Dingell and his service to the House of Representatives.
John Dingell has proven to be a friend, a colleague and an effective
legislator in all of the years that I have known him as a Member of
Congress.
As a fellow member of the Michigan delegation, I am very familiar
with his tireless advocacy on behalf of his constituents in the State
of Michigan. With John, Michigan always comes first. You can always
turn to him for help, regardless of your party.
For more than 53 years, he has proven to be an unwavering champion of
Michigan's working men and women.
His powerful voice is appreciated across the State of Michigan,
throughout the American automotive and manufacturing industries, and
within our delegation.
Congratulations on your historic achievement, Representative Dingell.
Your dedication to this institution and the people you represent is
beyond compare.
Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I would like to join the
House of Representatives in honoring Representative John Dingell as the
longest serving member of the House. Mr. Dingell began his service to
his country at the young age of 18, when he decided to join the Army.
Ten years later, Mr. Dingell, the son of a Michigan Congressman, would
soon follow in his father's footsteps; in 1955, he was elected to
represent a Michigan district outside Detroit and would continue to
serve this district for 54 years under 11 presidents.
A friend and colleague from whom I have gained insight and
inspiration, Mr. Dingell has provided this chamber with unprecedented
leadership, presiding over the House Energy and Commerce Committee for
15 years and heading important issues such as air quality, consumer
protection, health care, protection for automakers, and energy policy.
He authored notable bills such as the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1970 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Today, I regard Mr.
Dingell as one of Washington's most skilled law makers, and am eager to
work with him as he helps oversee one of the most important reforms in
this Congress: health care legislation. Throughout his legislative
career and continuing today, Mr. Dingell has been focused and has acted
with purpose--a purpose to improve social conditions for not only his
constituents, but for people across the Nation.
Representative Dingell continues to provide exceptional leadership to
the House of Representatives and will serve as an example of democratic
leadership long after he leaves this chamber. I am proud to extend my
congratulations and thanks to the Honorable John Dingell.

[[Page H1174]]

Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished
gentleman from Michigan, John Dingell, has now become the longest
serving Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. While Mr.
Dingell's service to this Congress is worth recognition alone, his many
accomplishments ensures that he will go down as one of the most
influential members in the history of Congress.
John Dingell's service to this body started all the way back in 1938,
when he served as a Page. Later on, he served in the United States Army
leaving with the rank of Second Lieutenant. In 1955, Mr. Dingell was
sworn into office to succeed his father and began a remarkable and
productive career as a Member of the House.
In 1981, Mr. Dingell's tenure as the top Democrat on the Energy and
Commerce Committee began and continued until this very year. I have
served with Mr. Dingell on the Energy and Commerce Committee for 16
years. In all that time, he always treated Republicans with respect
even when we vociferously disagreed, which was fairly often. He was
always fair and willing to work to find common ground. He is a true
model for all of us to follow.
Mr. Dingell has received so many awards and so much recognition in
his career, that I do not have time to list them all. So I'll highlight
a few. He has received recognition from the NAACP for his avid support
of civil rights and from the NRA for his support of the Second
Amendment. In addition, Mr. Dingell has been Congress' most outspoken
and tireless advocate for the American automobile industry, which is a
key component of our nation's economy and of particular importance to
the district he represents.
In closing, let's all honor John Dingell for his vigorous and
unflagging support for this institution and for his long and productive
tenure in Congress.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to rise today alongside my
colleagues to pay tribute to an extraordinary legislator, my friend
John Dingell.
John Dingell is, quite simply, a giant of this House. Today he
reaches a remarkable milestone, becoming the longest-serving member of
this institution. That achievement alone would be worthy of
commemoration and celebration. But it's not simply the length of his
service that makes John remarkable--it's what he has accomplished in
those 53 years.
He held the gavel when the House passed the original Medicare
legislation. He shepherded the landmark Clean Air Act into law. He
championed the Endangered Species Act. He has fought for health care,
for workers' rights and for the people of his beloved Michigan.
He has done all of this--all of this amazing work--with wit, passion,
and an unshakeable belief in the American spirit. As he recently said
in an interview, ``Eighty-two years ago, I hit the jackpot. I was born
in the United States of America. That's the greatest thing that ever
happened to me.''
And on a personal note, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank John and his
wife Debbie for their kindness and friendship to my wife Lisa and me.
They have enriched our lives in so many ways, and we will be forever
grateful.
So congratulations, John Dingell. Here's to another 53 years of
service to America.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution
140 to honor Congressman John D. Dingell for holding the record as the
longest serving Member of the House of Representatives.
John D. Dingell's exemplary record of public service and dedication
to serving the American people began at the age of 18. During World War
II, he served as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army and
received orders to take part in the first wave of a planned invasion of
Japan. Fortunately, the war ended, probably saving the life of Mr.
Dingell.
After finishing his military service, Congressman Dingell attended
Georgetown University where he studied Chemistry, and later continued
his studies at Georgetown Law School. Mr. Dingell returned to Michigan
to work successively as a National Park Ranger, a prosecuting attorney
for Wayne County, and he also ran his own private law office.
In 1955, John D. Dingell took office in the U.S. House of
Representatives after winning a special election to replace his father.
Congressman Dingell was elected to his 28th term this past November,
and has served as Dean of the House since the 104th Congress.
As a scientist, I recognize that John D. Dingell's background in
Chemistry and his experience as a National Park Ranger helped him
understand science and environmental policy. In fact, Congressman
Dingell has authored or been instrumental in the passage of some of our
nation's most important environmental laws, including the National
Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Air
Act Amendments of 1990.
Mr. Dingell's more than 53-year length of service has given him
considerable wisdom and a deep understanding of Congressional
procedures. He has earned the titles ``Dean of the House'' and ``Dean
of the Michigan Delegation''. He is a model public servant, and we all
benefit from his wisdom and good counsel. New Members of Congress and
our youth should seek his advice.
On a personal note, I am deeply grateful for Congressman Dingell's
helpful guidance when I joined the U.S. House of Representatives after
winning a special election. Also, I sincerely appreciate his
willingness to work with me on environmental policy issues. I truly
value Mr. Dingell's friendship and certainly wish him many more years
of successful work in the U.S. Congress.
Congressman has tirelessly advocated on behalf of his constituents
and the people of Michigan. He deserves to be honored for his lifelong
commitment to public service, and his dedication to the U.S. Congress
should be celebrated.
Please join me honoring John D. Dingell by supporting this important
resolution.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, history is fleeting, unless you are part of
making it. Few in this House, nor outside this body, would take issue
with the proposition that John D. Dingell has been a maker of history
most of his days here. I rise today to honor our esteemed colleague,
Congressman John D. Dingell, as the longest serving member of the U.S.
House of Representatives.
As the youngest elected, longest serving Member of Congress in the
history of the House, I can attest to the trials and tribulations, the
trophies and triumphs of tenure. It has been my honor to work alongside
Mr. Dingell over the last 32-plus years.
We have fought together in the trenches of Congress to bring
affordable healthcare to the elderly, to craft a reasoned and balanced
view of the U.S. role in a lasting peace in the Middle East, and to
champion the safe usage of our precious natural resources.
Today, the ``Dynamo of Detroit'' has reached a remarkable milestone:
19,420 days of service in the House of Representatives. He stepped into
a seat vacated by his late father, John Dingell, Sr., on September 19,
1955, but his service to our Nation began many years prior.
In 1941, when serving as a congressional page in our hallowed halls,
he was standing on the House Floor, when President Roosevelt asked
Congress to declare war on Japan. He not only heard that call but
answered it, and went on to serve in the Army, rising to the rank of
second lieutenant.
After taking up his father's mantle to represent the people of
Michigan's 15th Congressional District, he worked on legislation that
has strengthened the fabric of our Nation, voting on the Civil Rights
legislation of the 1960s and helping pass into law Medicare in 1965.
Congressman Dingell has not just lived history; he has truly made
history.
Public service at times rises and sadly falls in the imaginations of
our Nation's youth. As testament to what can be the very best of public
service, we need to look no further than the legacy of John Dingell.
The length of his tenure only serves to underscore his noble service.
Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to congratulate my colleague on
this great milestone. It has been an honor and unique privilege to
serve beside him as my senior colleague, my mentor, and my friend. With
my election to this Congress, I am now the longest serving House member
from the State of West Virginia, and I look forward to many more years
of working together with the gentleman who has served his State and
this Nation longer than anyone in the history of this House.
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John
Dingell as the longest serving member of the House of Representatives
and to offer my support for this resolution. He has been a mentor to
many members of Congress, including me.
I have had the privilege of serving and working with Congressman
Dingell on the Energy and Commerce Committee since joining that
Committee in 1996. Under his leadership, we have worked to expand and
improve healthcare coverage, develop sound energy policy, enhance
consumer protection, and address numerous other issues under the
Committee's jurisdiction.
I cannot say enough about his leadership to make healthcare more
affordable and accessible to all Americans. We worked together on the
State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP reauthorization,
which the President signed into law last week, and legislation to
expand federally qualified health centers that significantly improves
healthcare access for individuals in underserved areas like our
district.
Over his career, John Dingell has had a hand in pieces of legislation
from Medicare passing in 1965, to the Clean Air Act, to the Endangered
Species Act, the Do Not Call list, and numerous other laws. He also
played an unprecedented and vigorous roll in oversight while Chairman
of the Committee to ensure government programs are working for the
people, and he continues to do so today.

[[Page H1175]]

It has truly been an honor to serve with John Dingell and work
closely with him on the Energy and Commerce Committee. I congratulate
him becoming the longest serving member in the history of the House of
Representatives, and look forward to continuing to work with him on the
many issues he has championed as long as I have known him.
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend my colleague
Congressman John Dingell on his five decades of distinguished service
to the people of Michigan and the United States.
Today we celebrate Congressman Dingell becoming the longest-serving
Member of the United States House of Representatives in this body's
history. As we recognize our colleague's longevity, we reserve our
highest of praise for the exceptional record of service he has compiled
over his years of service.
Our Nation owes a debt of gratitude for Mr. Dingell's career. If not
for John Dingell, millions of children would not have received health
care under the Children's Health Insurance Program. If not for John
Dingell, hundreds of animal species would not have been saved from
extinction by the Endangered Species Act. If not for John Dingell, our
atmosphere would not have been protected by the effects of the Clean
Air Act. If not for John Dingell, our Nation's workers, environment,
children, and people would not enjoy so many of the protections they do
today.
As we commemorate this historical milestone in Congressman Dingell's
career, we must recognize his determination to continue advocating on
behalf of all American citizens. Every Congress, Congressman Dingell
introduces legislation creating a health care system guaranteeing
coverage to every American. As this House honors its Dean with our
words today, I hope that we may have the opportunity to honor him with
our deeds by finally creating a long-overdue universal health care
system before the end of this Congressional session.
I join my colleagues in applauding the career of Congressman Dingell
and thank Mr. Dingell for his decades of service to our Nation.
Ms. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of
Representative John Dingell Jr., who today becomes the longest serving
Member in House history passing the Honorable Jamie L. Whitten. I want
to thank Representative Dingell for his friendship and all the guidance
he has shown me over the more than twelve years I have been in
Congress. From his service in the United States Army to his diligent
study of law at Georgetown University, his unwavering commitment and
service to our nation has and will continue to be a benchmark my
colleagues and I strive to match.
Representative Dingell, Jr. began his service in the House on
December 13, 1955, and since then has honorably filled the seat his
father once held. Over the course of his accomplished career, he has
championed legislation that over time has proven to be critical to our
nation's well being. As chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee
for twelve years, he was an ardent advocate of environmental
legislation and broke down partisan barriers in his pursuit to uncover
instances of government waste and corruption. Under his watch, the
Committee became one of the largest and wide-ranging in the House
carrying with it a reputation for intolerance of federal mismanagement.
While steadfast in his own principles, the Representative's
determination to work with others continually sets him apart from other
lawmakers. On a personal note, his critical work with me in passing the
National Instance Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Improvement
Amendments Act of 2007 is a testament to his uncanny ability to find
middle-ground on often divisive issues. The work that we did on that
legislation will hopefully go a long way towards making our communities
safer.
As Representative Dingell, Jr. begins his 19,420th day in office, I
extend my congratulations to him in what has been and what will
continue to be an exceptional career.
Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, today I congratulate Chairman Emeritus
Dingell for achieving a great milestone that no one has achieved
before--serving the people of Michigan for 19,420 days and becoming the
longest serving member of the House of Representatives in U.S. history.
Long before I was elected to Congress, I looked to Chairman Dingell
for inspiration and guidance. In fact his service began before I was
born.
I was deeply honored after being elected to represent Missouri in
this great body when Dingell, as the Dean of the House, agreed to meet
with me and offer his unmatched advice and counsel. What made it even
more worthwhile was the fact that he had served with my grandfather ASJ
Carnahan in this same body in the 1950s. It was a pleasure to hear of
stories he and my grandfather shared together.
He has achieved a great deal since 1955 when he was first elected
having presided over the House when Medicare was created to care for
some of our most vulnerable citizens 10 years after he was first
elected.
Both Congressman John D. Dingell Sr., the Chairman's father, and
President Harry S. Truman of Missouri fought for a national health care
system together. It was a cause important to Congressman Dingell Sr.
and has continued to be a cause Chairman Dingell has championed.
Chairman Dingell has worked with eleven U.S. presidents spanning his
career--a quarter of the 44 Presidents in the entire history of our
country.
Today I am delighted that I can continue to tell friends and family
that I have served with Chairman Dingell and look forward to working
with him to expand health care so that the more than 47 million
Americans without health care can have the peace of mind that they and
their loved ones will be cared for.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 154.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.

____________________