[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3684]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING CONGRESSMAN JOHN DINGELL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, 5 minutes is not nearly enough time to do 
justice to Congressman John Dingell's record-breaking 53 years of 
service in the U.S. House of Representatives, but I wish to highlight 
the profound impact his work has had on the lives of Americans.
  It is not the length of time you serve here but rather what you do 
with that time that counts. Today we are honoring not only John 
Dingell's record tenure but also his many successes over the past 53 
years that have improved the lives of all Americans and made our 
country a better place. Whether it was passage of landmark 
environmental laws, implementation of Medicare or passage of the Civil 
Rights Act, the history that dominates the past half century was being 
shaped by John Dingell.
  From his first days in the House, Mr. Dingell has carried on his 
father's fight to provide health care for every American. He has 
proposed a national health insurance bill in every Congress since 1957.
  In April of 1965, Mr. Dingell was presiding over the U.S. House of 
Representatives for the historic vote to create the Medicare program. 
Those who have had the pleasure of visiting Mr. Dingell's office know 
that the gavel he used on that occasion sits on his desk. Congressman 
Dingell was there to see history in the making as President Johnson 
signed the Medicare bill into law at the Truman Library in 
Independence, Missouri.
  More than 40 years after that historic day, Chairman Dingell was 
instrumental in expanding and improving Medicare, to make it a widely 
successful effort at improving health care for our Nation's elderly and 
preventing them from falling into poverty.
  In 1993, Mr. Dingell took the lead in the House in working with the 
Clinton administration to push for universal health insurance coverage 
for all Americans. Although Mr. Dingell points to that effort as one of 
his ``biggest disappointments,'' it was that debate that kept the issue 
of universal coverage alive for the past 16 years. We are now poised 
with John Dingell once again serving as the lead House negotiator to 
work with President Obama to make health insurance for all Americans a 
reality in this Congress.
  Mr. Dingell and I share a passion for oversight. When I first came to 
Congress, and particularly once I became a member of the Commerce 
Committee, Mr. Dingell provided valuable mentorship that has enabled me 
to continue his tradition of aggressive oversight through the Oversight 
and Investigations Subcommittee. Mr. Dingell not only understands the 
role of Congress to oversee the executive branch, he, perhaps more than 
anyone else before him, used this authority to uncover abuses of power 
including corruption, waste and fraud that jeopardized not only 
taxpayer dollars but also the health and safety of the American people.
  John Dingell has proven that investigations can accomplish as much as 
legislation. As chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the 
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Mr. Dingell used broad 
jurisdiction over the committee to effect changes on issues such as 
defense contracting, insider trading, Superfund cleanup, medical device 
safety, unfair foreign trade practices, food and drug safety, blood 
banks and pipeline safety.
  In an age when State legislatures are quick to enact term limits, 
John Dingell is a shining example of how valuable tenure can be. The 
perspective and knowledge he brings to the table after 53 years of 
service is a critical part of the legislative process that allows us to 
avoid repeating past mistakes and continue to push for longstanding 
goals such as universal health care.
  Whether it is battling in committee or on the floor, teaming up in an 
investigation or relaxing with John and Debbie Dingell on Mackinac 
Island, I have valued Mr. Dingell as a colleague, mentor and friend.
  Our country is a better place, and Congress is a stronger institution 
because of the contributions of John Dingell.

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