[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E258-E259]
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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 2009

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
154, which honors John Dingell for being the longest serving member of 
the House of Representatives.
  John Dingell came to Congress in 1955 at the age of 29 and in his 
more than 53 years in the House, including 16 as the chairman of the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce, has represented energetically and 
effectively the constituents of his southeastern Michigan district.
  Longevity alone, however, does not distinguish John Dingell, and the 
Dean of the House has been at the center of almost every major 
legislative accomplishment of this body since his earliest days in 
Congress. In 1965,

[[Page E259]]

Representative Dingell presided over the House chamber when the House 
passed the Social Security Act of 1965, creating Medicare. Years later, 
the one-time forest ranger, and avid outdoorsman, helped usher through 
Congress the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Clean Air Act of 
1990.
  Throughout his distinguished career, he has led the fight to ensure 
that all Americans have access to affordable health care, fought to 
close corporate loopholes, investigated government waste of taxpayer 
dollars, and advocated for the safety of consumers. Most recently, 
Representative Dingell played a key roll in the passage of the. 
Consumer Products Safety and Improvement Act, which was signed into law 
last August.
  In my few years in the House, I have been honored to have served 
beside John Dingell. I have learned a great deal from such a 
thoughtful, serious legislator, and I look forward to working with him 
as Congress continues to address the country's economic, health care, 
and climate challenges.
  I join my colleagues in honoring an institution in the House of 
Representatives, John Dingell, for his service to his constituents, the 
Congress, and the country.

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