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John David Dingell, a second-generation former congressman, died late Thursday, several days after he began receiving hospice care for pancreatic cancer.
John Dingell posted this six weeks ago on Facebook and said: "Wishing each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Debbie Dingell and me."
The veteran of House service from 1955-2015 -- longer than anyone in U.S. history -- was with his wife, Rep. Deborah Dingell. She confirmed his death to The Detroit News, Melissa Nann Burke reports, initially with a two-paragraph bulletin at the paper's site at 9:01 p.m.
"He was my love," Rep. Dingell said late Thursday, sobbing during a call from Chad Livengood of Crain's Detroit Business, he tweets.
A family statement says:
"It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of John David Dingell, Jr., former Michigan Congressman and longest-serving member of the United States Congress. Congressman Dingell died peacefully today at his home in Dearborn, surrounded by his wife Deborah."
A stream of online tributes come from well-known admirers and ordinary folks.
"The congressman’s grit, humility and humor taught us all that we can disagree without being disagreeable, while still finding common ground and working together to get things done," tweets Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. (Full statement is here.)
"He will he remembered as of the greatest legislators in American history who never forgot about the people he served and the city of Detroit," says Mayor Mike Duggan. "When our workers or automakers needed help, John always answered their call. No one fought harder for working people in Congress."
Barack Obama, who awarded Dingell the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014, says Thursday night: "John led the charge on so much of the progress we take for granted today." (Full statement is below.)
Bill Clinton also salutes his legislative ally:
For nearly 60 years, John Dingell represented the people of Michigan with honor, integrity and great good humor. There are few major legislative triumphs since 1955 that he didn’t have a key hand in passing. Hillary and I are grateful to have worked with him and called him our friend.
John David Dingell: July 8, 1926 -- Feb. 7, 2019
Photo: DepositPhotos)
The 92-year-old ex-representative followed his dad to Washington, winning the seat John Dingell Sr. held for 22 years. The son, a Democrat from Dearborn, worked with 11 presidents for nearly six decades -- an achievement unlikely to be repeated.
He was one of the last two World War II veterans in Congress. (The other, Rep. Ralph Hall of Texas, also left in 2015.)
As a longtime member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and its chairman from 1981-95 and 2007-09, Dingell helped write major environmental and energy laws. He also was acclaimed for widening health care access and being a fervent advocate for auto manufacturers.
He would have turned 93 on July 8, and showed his spirit this week with a "you're not done with me yet" tweet dictated to his wife. Last-day visitors then included Noland Finley, Detroit News editorial page editor, who tweeted: "He’s still fighting. Still feisty. Still determined to live every moment he has left to the fullest."
The congressional all-star got this gift from the Tigers when he became the longest-serving member in June 2013. His historic term began in 1955. (Photo: Facebook)
Tributes in recent days include this from progressive activist Chris Savage of Dexter, publisher of Eclectablog. "It is impossible to overstate the incredible legacy John Dingell has created in this country," he posted. "Name a progressive program, initiative, law or policy that was advanced during his time in Congress and John Dingell was a significant part of it."
Earlier, when Dingell became the longest-serving member of Congress in June 2013, Savage wrote at his blog:
Thank you, Congressman Dingell. You have been a shining light in Congress for nearly six decades. America and Michigan, in particular, owes you a great debt of gratitude.
Jonathan Allen, a political reporter at NBC News, tweets Thursday:
John Dingell was the epitome of the old bull — an imposing committee chairman who knew the policy well, knew how to use the rules even better, commanded respect from his colleagues and fear from witnesses, and could flat get things done.
Biographical background is from Wikipedia.
Related coverage:
- Shade from the Dean: 11 of John Dingell's Best Tweets in 2017-19
- Gretchen Whitmer's Salute: 'The People Of Michigan Owe John Dingell So Much'
Barack Obama statement:
