[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E252-E253]
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

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHET EDWARDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 2009

  Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my 
friend and colleague, John Dingell for becoming the longest serving 
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
  Mr. Dingell's service is unparalleled. For 53 years, he has worked 
diligently for the American people and his legislative accomplishments 
are unparalleled. Serving alongside Chairman Dingell, I've come to know 
why he has earned the deep respect and admiration of scores of House 
Members, Senators and 11 different Presidents.
  A true champion of health care reform, John Dingell has been at the 
center of every major health policy reform of the last 50 years. In 
1965, he was central to the creation of Medicare, a program that saves 
millions of elderly Americans from the horrors of poverty and disease 
every year. Continuing his fight for a healthier country, John has 
worked on behalf of children, the poor, and many others who can't 
afford quality heath care and has been a visionary in authoring 
legislation to ensure affordable health care for all.
  Today John Dingell broke a record, but that record won't be why we 
remember him. It will be his character, his accomplishments, and his 
unyielding belief that this institution can make a positive impact in 
the lives of everyday Americans. Today John Dingell made history, but 
his lasting legacy will be how he has shaped the history of a great 
nation through a lifetime of public service.
  I consider it one of the true privileges of my lifetime to know John 
Dingell as a colleague, a mentor and a close personal friend. His 
wisdom and his example of leadership will continue to make a difference 
for American families long after we here are long gone. God bless John 
Dingell and the love of his life, his wife, Debra.

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