Pelosi Celebrates Congressman John Dingell's 50 Years of Service in the House of Representatives

Statement

Pelosi Celebrates Congressman John Dingell's 50 Years of Service in the House of Representatives

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke tonight at an event honoring Congressman John Dingell's (D-MI) 50 years of public service in the House of Representatives. Below are Pelosi's remarks as prepared:

"President Kennedy once said: ‘no government is better than the people who serve it, we want the best, we need the best, and we deserve the best.' For 50 years, in John Dingell, we have the best.

"As House Democratic Leader, it is an honor to join you tonight in saluting John Dingell on behalf of a grateful Democratic Caucus - a caucus that owes so much to John's outstanding leadership. It is also a personal privilege for me, as my father, Thomas D'Alesandro, served with John Dingell's father in Congress. It is fitting that on John's night, we thank and congratulate his wife: Debbie, thank you.

"John Dingell is a patriot of the highest order. Every chapter of his life has been lived in service to his country. Tonight, we're celebrating John's 50 years in the House, though we could be celebrating his 54th year in the House…From the ages of 12 to 16, he served here as a page. It was as a page in 1941 that he was standing on the House Floor when President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan.

"It was World War II that would ultimately call him to service. He served in the Army with distinction. John would later say of his service, ‘It taught me the meaning of discipline and respect - two qualities which I believe are the keys to success in the United States.' It also began a public life dedicated to making America strong both at home and abroad.

"A member of the Greatest Generation, John Dingell applied his brilliant mind, his great judgment, and his broad vision to making the future better for generations to come. John always made clear that a strong America had to be a healthy America. Continuing a tradition his father began, in every Congress he has introduced a bill for universal health insurance. Because of his tireless work in securing health care for the elderly, John presided in the House in 1965, when Medicare was passed into law. The gavel he used that day still sits on his desk.

"As part of his focus on future generations, John was one of the first elected officials to link public health with environmental health, and he has had a hand in almost all the major environmental legislation of the past 40 years. The National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Air Act are just a few examples. It's no surprise, then, that North America's only International Wildlife Refuge is in southern Michigan, just outside of Detroit, and that is a tribute to John Dingell.

"He's done as much to clean up government as he has our environment. For the last 50 years, federal agencies have checked their mail with one eye squinted open, hoping they haven't received what became known as ‘Dingell-grams.' In the 1980s, the EPA even had an employee whose sole responsibility was responding to Chairman Dingell's inquiries. And it was recognized that her job was not an easy one.

"As the late Joe Moakley once said ‘You never leave a room wondering how John Dingell feels about something. You get it right between the eyes.'

"To work alongside John Dingell is to be inspired by the history of our institution and humbled by the seriousness of our work. John is a giant in Congress and a symbol of continuity. On December 13th, 1955, John Dingell took over the seat that had been occupied by his late father. After hearing his father's colleagues eulogize John Dingell, Sr., John stepped up and said, ‘My father loved and respected the House and all its Members. If I can be half the man my father was, I shall feel I am a great success.'

"John, we're here tonight to say that we love and respect you - and by any measure - your leadership and your success have been unsurpassed. We may call you the Dean of the House, but for so many of us here tonight, you have been a teacher. I know I speak for all of the Members of the House when I say, we are proud to call you colleague. We are all so glad ther your lifetime of service continues. Thank you John Dingell."

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