A Michigan congressman whose tenure outlasted many of his colleagues is being remembered.
John Dingell, who represented a district covering portions of southeastern Michigan for a whopping 59 years, died Thursday night at his home in Dearborn. He was 92.
Dingell's wife of 38 years, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, missed attending President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night to be home with her husband and tweeted that the former congressman had "entered a new phase". It was later confirmed by his office that he had entered hospice care.
https://twitter.com/RepDebDingell/status/1093155100506365952
His Michigan district included many constituents who worked in the auto industry. He not only helped approve the government loans that bailed out Chrysler in 1979, but also worked with fellow Michigan Congressman and Republican Fred Upton to secure bailouts for General Motors and Chrysler in 2009.
Universal health care was one of Dingell's pet projects, and he began every two-year term in Congress by introducing it on the floor of the House of Representatives. He ended up playing a key role in the passage of the so-called Obamacare legislation.
Dingell, a Democrat, held the record for the longest-serving tenure in the House of Representatives, having been first elected in 1955 to succeed his father, John Dingell Sr., who had died in office. He retired in December 2015 and was succeeded by his wife.
His 59 years on Capitol Hill is a record that will not be broken anytime soon. The longest-serving current member of Congress, Republican Rep. Don Young of Alaska, celebrates his 46th year next month.
Praise for Dingell has stretched across party lines, as he had worked with eleven US Presidents. Former President Barack Obama called attention to Dingell's tireless work on Medicare and civil rights.
https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1093722143513346048
Former President George W. Bush said in a statement of his own that he had spoken to Dingell on Thursday, the day of his passing, thanking him for his service to the country.
"He was a gentleman who showed great respect for our country and her people," Bush said in the statement. "He represented his district with decency and honour."
President Trump ordered on Friday afternoon all US flags at public buildings and installations to be flown at half-staff until sunset Saturday.
Funeral arrangements for Dingell were finalized Friday afternoon. A public visitation will take place on Monday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts in Dearborn. A funeral Mass, also open to the public, will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Dearborn on Tuesday at 11 a.m., according to Detroit television station WDIV.
A veteran of the Second World War, Dingell will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
