Recognizing and Honoring an American Giant: Congressman John D. Dingell, Jr.

RECOGNIZING AND HONORING AN AMERICAN GIANT: CONGRESSMAN JOHN D. DINGELL, JR. -- (House of Representatives - December 13, 2005)

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Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) for putting together this special time and for yielding me some time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased this evening to honor a dear friend, JOHN DINGELL, who because of life's twists and turns has also become my colleague. It was actually about 30 years ago that I first met JOHN DINGELL. At that time my husband, Bob, was serving on the Sacramento City Council as well as chair of the reelection campaign of Congressman John Moss.

John Moss and John Dingell had arrived in Congress

at about the same time, building a relationship and friendship as the years passed. When John Moss marked his 20th year in office, he asked his friend, JOHN DINGELL, to come to Sacramento to speak. It was at this milestone that Bob and I first met JOHN DINGELL. Little did Bob and I know that this was only the beginning of what would become a very deep and abiding friendship, as 4 years later John Moss would announce his retirement and Bob would run and succeed him in Congress.

Following his election, John Moss offered Bob some sage advice which, among other things, included John Moss's hope that Bob would build his own relationship and friendship with JOHN DINGELL. Bob took this advice to heart and built a friendship with his new colleague. It was clear that JOHN DINGELL respects and deeply cares and loves this institution. He brings knowledge that spans generations to any debate. And Bob, as a junior Member served alongside him on the Energy and Commerce Committee before his assignment to joining Ways and Means, saw why John Moss had given him the advice he had.

Simultaneously, Bob and I also began a friendship with JOHN and his wife, the lovely Deborah. I would be hard pressed to talk about JOHN without also mentioning Debbie as she is a strength in her own right. Their marriage is a true partnership, and because of that when we honor JOHN, we are also honoring Debbie. Together they have made each other stronger. The friendship I have with both JOHN and Debbie is one I truly value.

JOHN, I know that you have many more years to serve in Congress, and I look forward to working with you through all those many years. Congratulations on the first 50 years.

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