Honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Honorable John D. Dingell's Sevice in the House of Representatives

HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HONORABLE JOHN D. DINGELL'S SERVICE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES -- (House of Representatives - December 13, 2005)

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Mr. HASTERT. Ladies and gentlemen, it is important for the House to recognize important milestones. Tonight, the Democratic leader and I on behalf of the House take this brief time to honor our colleague JOHN DINGELL.

If Members would also like to add words of congratulations, I would encourage them to insert remarks as part of the Congressional Record or partake in a Special Order following votes tonight.

I rise in support of this resolution saluting and congratulating our good friend, JOHN DINGELL, for 50 years of service in the U.S. House of Representatives.

As the Clerk said, only two other House Members have made the 50-year milestone, Jamie Whitten and Carl Vinson. For a half century, JOHN has walked the Halls of this Capitol doing the business of the people of southeast Michigan. And I must say the Congress is a better place because we have men like JOHN DINGELL.

I first met JOHN when I came to the House in 1986, and he had already been here three decades at that time. We really got to know each other better when I started my third term when I was named to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. I knew him as Mr. Chairman. In fact, I think I only started to call him JOHN after I became Speaker.

Mr. Dingell earned my respect early on. He knew the issues under his committee's jurisdiction, which was just about everything. He knew their legislative history. He knew how to count votes. He knew how to get legislation through the process. He was tough, but he was fair.

His congressional work has done much to benefit the American people. During his time in the House, he has left his mark on historic legislation like the Clean Air Act of 1990, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and every other major energy and telecommunications bill since the 1970s. In fact, during the 1980s, he oversaw the investigation into the safety of the Nation's blood supply, including the procedures that we now have to ensure that donated blood is disease free.

As Dean of the House, JOHN DINGELL administers the oath of office to the Speaker. The Speaker then administers the oath of office to all the Members as well. I could not be more proud to have had JOHN DINGELL administer my oath four times.

Mr. Speaker, in this age of sound-bite politicians, JOHN DINGELL is the real deal. You always know where he stands, and you can always rest assured that he stands for something. And so today we salute JOHN DINGELL for 50 years of service with dignity, with dedication, with courage, with principle, and with honor. I thank you, JOHN, for your good work.

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