[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 152 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING CONGRESSMAN JOHN DINGELL

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. YVETTE D. CLARKE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 9, 2014

  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I stand with my colleagues, 
Democrats and Republicans, to commend the Honorable John D. Dingell, 
Jr., Dean of the House of Representatives, on his lifetime of service 
to the American people.
  The people of his district in Michigan believed in him have sent him 
to Capitol Hill in a record twenty-nine consecutive elections, which is 
59 years in this august body.
  On issue after issue, Congressman Dingell was a leader in the effort 
to secure civil rights for all Americans, to protect the quality of our 
air and water, to allow children and older Americans to afford health 
care, to protect the rights of our workers to bargain collectively for 
fair wages and benefits, to support the auto industry and the Great 
Lakes and to build the manufacturing sector of our economy. He has 
impacted virtually every piece of legislation to be signed into law 
during the last half century, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean 
Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Affordable Care Act.
  A veteran of the Second World War, who was awarded nation's highest 
civilian honor--the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in 
2014, Congressman Dingell remained committed to supporting the men and 
women of our armed forces, both on the field of battle and on their 
return home to the United States.
  History will record his dedication to the belief that every American 
should have the ability to access comprehensive health care at an 
affordable cost. Continuing a tradition started by his father, 
Congressman John D. Dingell, Sr., every session of Congress he 
introduced a bill to provide for universal health care. With the 
Affordable Care Act, of which Congressman Dingell was a proud co-
sponsor, he achieved that high purpose to which he dedicated himself.
  Congressman Dingell's contribution to this institution will remain 
forever an example of public service in the public interest. When we 
honor him, we honor our shared faith in the promise of the American 
Dream and our commitment to extend the blessing of freedom to the 
generations who will follow us.

                          ____________________